January 30, 2023

Maximize Your Supply Chain with Reusable Steel Shipping Racks

Maximize Your Supply Chain with Reusable Steel Shipping Racks

Are you looking for a third-party packaging company that provides the highest quality and most reliable shipping rack? The development process can be complex and lengthy. Quality, deadlines, and supply chain efficiencies are at risk if not managed well.

With years of experience in reusable packaging design, PackIQ has developed shipping rack solutions that maximize manufacturing supply chain systems, improve material handling and parts protection, and provide superior value. Whether you are looking for stackable shipping racks or a comprehensive container management program, PackIQ is the perfect choice for shipping racks to improve your supply chain management needs.

PackIQ stackable racks

The benefits of shipping racks in manufacturing

Shipping racks can provide various benefits to manufacturing companies, from improving supply chain efficiencies to protecting parts during handling and lowering costs from expendable one-way packaging. Racks are an eco-friendly alternative to traditional disposable packaging.  

One of the key advantages is their durability and sustainability. The steel material makes these shipping containers highly resistant to wear and tear, meaning they can be used multiple times for many years. This means that manufacturers can save money by not purchasing expendable materials every time their products need to be shipped.

WIP rack

Choosing the best third-party packaging provider for your company

When choosing the best partner for your company, there are some important factors to consider. Do your research to select a few qualified companies based on their services in your industry, design software capabilities like SOLIDWORKS and CATIA, raw materials, customer satisfaction, and timeliness.  Once you’ve identified a few qualified businesses, schedule collaboration meetings with each one so they can respond with their best project quotes.  Everyone involved in the packaging development process, including your product engineers and their design team, should be involved.  

Internal kickoff meetings can be beneficial, but we stress the importance of having face time with external stakeholders. Project objectives should be communicated clearly from the start. This step will set the precedence for the rest of the project, lower costs, and heavily influence its success or failure.

PackIQ designers

Key steps in the design process

The design process begins with clearly stating the problem or challenge to solve and then developing a concept based on initial customer demand. The concept must consider important factors including the manufacturing environment, parts handling and protection, in-house mobility, ergonomics, supply chains, and external shipping needs. Once both parties have established a basic understanding, the design process follows these six phases.

  1. The design request
  2. Concept development
  3. Detailed design
  4. Prototype build
  5. Customer testing and feedback
  6. Production

Best practices for project management

Project management is an essential part of the development system. Establishing detailed plans and milestone dates before starting the course is important. This can help ensure that finished goods are built according to specifications and delivered on time. Key factors should include roles and responsibilities, essential design requirements such as part density, ergonomics, key dimensions, prototype reviews, QC checklists, and deadlines dates.    

Prototype reviews and testing

Prototype development is an important step in operations. It is essential to validate that the finished product meets all form, fit, and function requirements, including ergonomics, usability, safety, and durability. Before beginning the prototype development process, discussing any design changes or modifications needed with the customer is vital.  Once the prototype is complete, testing can help to ensure that the design meets all expectations. It is then essential to continue to track any changes through a detailed feedback loop until a final detailed build drawing is approved.

PackIQ prototype

Producing the fleet

Once a steel shipping rack prototype has been designed, tested, and approved by the customer, it can move into the production phase. Make sure to keep a record of all drawing revisions, especially the final approved version, key specifications, material lists, and other key information in an accessible file for all stakeholders.

When choosing a third-party company for your team's needs, make sure to consider their experience working with manufacturing supply chains as well as their in-house capabilities, raw material suppliers, tools, and timeliness. Project management practices are also essential when developing solutions for your fleet so be sure to plan roles and responsibilities and milestone dates before starting.

When it comes to improving supply chain management, PackIQ is the best choice to deliver stackable shipping racks and container management programs for your business. With our expertise in design, digital technologies, manufacturing operations, and the strictest tolerances, we can help you find a solution that fits your needs. If you’d like to learn more about how we can help manufacture shipping racks for your business, don’t hesitate to contact us!

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