Sustainable packaging swaps for manufacturers
As the public is becoming increasingly aware of environmental issues, manufacturers are under growing pressure to adopt more sustainable practices. A …
Industrial & specialist packaging that reduces complexity, costs and carbon emissions
Macfarlane Packaging’s specialist manufacturing brands can design and manufacture protective packaging for your high-value and fragile items. Our design expertise, combined with our materials knowledge and production capabilities, enables us to:
Improve product protection
Does your current packaging guard against all forms of logistics hazards, including extreme climate and environmental conditions? Our solutions will safeguard your goods.
Reduce your packaging costs
The correct packaging solution can reduce material usage, eliminate waste, improve sustainability, and free up labour and storage space for more productive use.
Application-matched packaging
Developing a new product? We work with your design team to ensure that your products are perfectly packaged to make your launch and shipment programme delay and trouble-free.
Explore our range of industrial packaging products
All our industrial packaging solutions are made to order at one of our UK manufacturing sites. Below are examples of the types of specialist packaging products we can prove. From heavy-duty corrugated through to flight cases, timber crates and even conductive packaging.
Heavy Duty Corrugated and Composite Packs
Heavy duty corrugated cardboard, including Tri-Mite, can be made into bespoke size solutions that helps ensure space savings, lower transit costs and emissions.
It can be finished with handles, specialist coatings and printing.
When combined with materials like foam and timber supports to make composite packaging, you can achieve the ultimate protection for your products.
Timber Cases and Wooden Boxes
Timber packaging can be custom-made to fit specific components. It is ideal for shipping large objects, such as panels, assemblies and even engine blocks.
We can make timber cases and boxes from many different types of wood, including plywood, OSB (Oriented Strand Board), particle board, MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) and hardboard. Plus, we can manufacture solutions that are IPSM15 compliant.
Protective Cases, Flight Cases, & Sample Cases
Protective cases are great for storing, transporting and organising various tools and equipment.
Options include waterproof cases, such as Peli™ cases, lightweight carry cases, roto-moulded cases, aluminium cases, plastic carry cases and popular flight cases. Sample / sales demo cases as well as custom built solutions are also available.
All protective cases can be made with custom inserts.
Foam Conversion, including Inserts, Endcaps & Dunnage
Our specialist foam packaging can be made from a range of Plastazote®, Ethafoam and Stratocell foam.
Options include foam inserts, end caps and foam dunnage, as well as antistatic foam.
We can convert foam to your specific requirements, giving you ideal protection for fraile and high value goods.
Correx® Corrugated Plastic Packaging
Strong and durable Correx® corrugated plastic packaging can be made into tote boxes and containers, picking bins, postal boxes, dividers and inserts as well as handling trays.
Available various grades and colours, Correx® is a returnable, reusable, water-resistant and inert industrial packaging option. It’s ideal for storage, shipping and closed loop systems.
Anti-static & Conductive Packaging
Conductive packaging conducts electric charges away from the static-sensitive products.
Options available include Corstat cardboard; plastic-based solutions, such as Corriplast, moulded plastics and ESD-safe foams.
Ideal for businesses in electronics, automotive, telecoms, aerospace and computing.
Specialist Containers
Our specialist manufacturing division can provide a wide range of containers including satellite and sensitive equipment containers, large-scale containers and even DELTA® containers.
Design and bespoke fabrication service scan provide the containers you need across a wide range of sizes and specs.
Rack Cases
Looking for a rack case? We can provide performance 19″ rack cases for your valuable electronic equipment and systems.
Options include 19″ rack cases, Zarges Mitraset Classic, Zarges Mitraset Racklite, DELTA® rack cases, SKB racks, Thermodyne Quadraflex and RackPack and modified racks.
Sewn Products
Not every product needs to be housed in a rigid container. Bags, rolls, pouches and covers are practical alternatives.
Available as stand-alone items or for use within larger cases, we design and supply bags, rolls, pouches and straps to protect and retain your products, including bespoke inserts for added protection
Solutions manufactured to support your sustainability
Our industrial packaging solutions can be tailored to your sustainability goals.
Industrial packaging that’s as unique as your business – our design approach
We aim to create industrial packaging that is as unique as the businesses and products we make them for!
The meticulous and detailed approach to the packaging designs we develop considers the full lifecycle of your product and its packaging – from storage to shipping and end-of-life.
1. Understanding
the handling, storage and transport of your products
Where will the products travel to and what climatic conditions will they encounter? How will they be shipped? How will they be handled and stored? Is a closed-loop returnable solution required?
Getting to know your business, products and supply chain is the foundation of a stand-out industrial packaging design.
This will allow us to align our solutions with your protection requirements and objectives, like improving the sustainability of your industrial packaging.
2. Assessing
the risk and protection requirements of your product
What is the size and weight of the product? What are its vulnerable points? What are the risks from impact shock, vibration, temperature extremes, humidity, electrostatic and magnetic devices and surface degradation? What is the best orientation within the pack?
Our experts will complete a 360-assessment of your product and any risks it may experience during its handling, storage and transit. They’ll pinpoint vulnerabilities, which will enable the most effective selection of industrial packaging materials and ergonomic design choices possible.
3. Creating
an effective industrial packaging design tailored to your needs
Based on our insights, a prototype pack is developed using SolidWorks design software.
Packaging materials are carefully selected and combined for maximum protection and cost-efficiency. Where possible, we will ensure the pack is eco-friendly.
The industrial packaging we create aims to:
- Reduce – we will use the optimal amount of material to protect your products and the environment. Compact and light industrial packaging will help reduce waste and shipping costs.
- Reuse – wherever opportunities arise, we will encourage reusable and reutrnable packaging.
- Recycle – packs will be made using materials that are sustainable recyclable and contain recycled content, where appropriate.
4. Testing
the industrial packaging design rigorously in lab conditions
To ensure the industrial packaging solutions we’ve designed protect your products and meet your goals, we rigorously test them in controlled conditions
We can test packs to ISTA, ATA300, ETSI, BS1133 and Defence Standards.
This means you can be confident in the packaging designs we’re creating for you and enjoy peace of mind that your high-value products will be protected, no matter what conditions they’re subject to.
Watch this video to see how we design our industrial packaging solutions
How we can support you with our industrial packaging services
Precision industrial packaging made to exacting standards
We work to rigorous certifications and standards to ensure our supply chain is ethical and minimises our impact on the environment.
Our manufacturing operations can also provide packaging made to specialist standards like ISTA, ATA300, ESTI and Defence Standards.
Service solutions as thoughtful as your packaging
Our commitment to your business goes beyond design, manufacture and assembly.
The services we offer can be tailored to your needs too. They include:
- Vendor managed inventory and stock holding
- Packaging reviews to reduce your costs
- Expert packaging design
- Next day delivery
- Packaging automation
- Packaging procurement and e-trading
- Packaging distribution in Continental Europe
Industrial packaging solutions that will reduce the hidden costs in your operation
Did you know 90% of your packaging costs could be hiding behind the unit price you pay?
Our approach to creating industrial packaging design carefully considers not only your products and the materials used to make packaging, but key areas across your supply chain that can be influenced by packaging.
This means we can skillfully select designs and materials that produce packaging that is optimised for protection, saves you money and reduces your impact on the environment.
Improve protection
Through careful risk assessment and testing, we can develop lighter and smaller but stronger packs that protect your profits and your products, anywhere in the world.
Reduce transport costs
We can reduce pack size and weight without compromising protection. So you get reduced load weights and fewer journeys, reducing supply chain costs and helping the environment.
Enhance productivity
Optimised packaging and packing processes can help you improve your supply chain productivity. We also offer a controlled packing service, on-site or off, to defence standards.
Lower storage costs
Our stock holding service means we can drip-feed packaging into your site. You get what you need, when you need it, without taking up valuable space in your warehouse.
Improve sustainability
Our experts will skillfully combine the right materials to create your packaging. So, you’ll use less material and improve sustainability while maintaining product protection.
Boost satisfaction
Our packaging solutions will deliver undamaged products in packs that are easy to open, easy and safe to dispose of, or easy to return, boosting your customer satisfaction.
Download our FREE industrial packaging guide
Our industrial and specialist packaging guide provides essential insights into different industrial packaging solutions, common materials used in their manufacture, and looks at good industrial packaging design.
Industrial Packaging Glossary
Understand the often complex terminology used to describe industrial packaging designs, products and materials.
Tips for Industrial Packaging Design
Learn about what makes a good industrial packaging design and design considerations for different sectors like aerospace, electronics, medical, and defence.
Industrial Packaging Products and Case Studies
Explore key industrial packaging products from heavy-duty corrugated and Tri-Mite® through to timber cases, Correx® and anti-static packaging.
FAQs about industrial & specialist packaging
What kinds of industrial and specialist can Macfarlane Packaging offer?
At Macfarlane Packaging, we manufacture industrial packaging from many materials. Some of the industrial packaging solutions we offer include:
- Heavy duty corrugated cardboard – this includes triple wall corrugated boxes and Tri-Mite® boxes and fabrications.
- Timber cases and wooden boxes, including IPSM15 compliant packaging for export and heavy-duty protection.
- Composite packaging – this is packaging that uses more than one packaging material in a combination to provide ideal protection.
- Protective cases, including flight cases, waterproof cases, aluminium cases
- Foam packaging – our manufacturing division can convert foam into protective fittings, dividers, end caps and more, depending on the application.
- Correx® corrugated plastic packaging, including totes, Correx® boxes, dividers, pick bins and lots more.
- Anti-static packaging, conductive packaging and ESD-safe packaging. This includes Corstat®, a carbon loaded cardboard and Corriplast®, a carbon loaded corrugated plastic, which offers excellent protection from electrostatic discharge.
- VCI packaging and anti-corrosion packaging – this packaging can provide specialist protection against rust, moisture damage and corrosion. VCI stands for volatile corrosion inhibitor.
- Specialist containers – bespoke metal fabricated transit and storage containers, handling frames and trolleys, including satellite and sensitive equipment containers, submarine periscope containers, large scale containers and DELTA® containers.
- Rack cases provide protection for your valuable electronic equipment and systems. Popular options include Zarges (Mitraset), SKB, DELTA® and Thermodyne cases.
- Sewn products xxx, sometimes a durable but soft packaging solution is required for easy transport of equipment. Our specialist manufacturing sites can provide sewn products as stand-alone items or for use within larger cases. Foam inserts can be added to bags in the same way as cases, providing a lightweight solution.
These packaging products and materials are available through our specialist manufacturing division, who can guide you on the ideal packaging solution for your high-value products.
What sectors can you provide specialist packaging for?
Specialist packaging from Macfarlane Packaging can be designed in a number of ways for a wide range of items. This includes anti-static and conductive packaging, corrugated coatings, VCI packaging, as well as inserts and fittings.
Anti-static and conductive packaging
- Ideal for shipping products such as microchips and electronics, and is also widely used by other industries, such as automotive, telecommunications, aerospace and medical.
Corrugated coatings
- Corrugated boards can be coated with a variety of finishes and properties. Whether you’re looking for water-resistant corrugated cardboard, Pantone-matched colours, or corrosion-resistant packaging, there’s something for everyone.
VCI Packaging
- VCI Packaging is a type of packaging that protects its contents from rusting. It works through VCI molecules, forming a thin, invisible layer on ferrous metal surfaces to inhibit corrosion. Common types of VCI packaging include films, bags and cardboard VCI boxes that use a specialist coating.
Cardboard dividers and fittings
- Various types are available including fixed or adjustable divider sets, integral fittings, layer pads and custom cushioning options made to your exact specifications.
What is industrial packaging?
Industrial packaging encompasses various materials such as corrugated cardboard, Correx®, moulded plastic, and timber crates, which are used for transporting and storing goods during manufacturing or within a supply chain. Unlike consumer or retail packaging, which serves both promotional and shipping purposes to end-users, industrial packaging focuses solely on facilitating transportation and storage within industrial settings or supply chains.
Our industrial and specialist packaging brands
Explore our articles about Industrial & Specialist Packaging
A comprehensive guide to anti-static packaging and conductive packaging
Are you shipping fragile and sensitive electronics? Then you may be looking for packaging to protect your products during handling and transit. While …
Understanding VCI Packaging: A Guide
Corrosion is the gradual deterioration of metals caused by the action of air, moisture or a chemical reaction (such as an acid) on their surface. On f…
You can have industrial packaging delivered to you from one of our regional distribution centres. UK delivery is available to and around the following locations:
Aberdeen, Aylesbury, Banbury, Barnsley, Bath, Bedford, Bicester, Birmingham , Bolton, Bradford, Bridgewater, Bridport, Bristol, Burton-upon-Trent , Cambridge, Chelmsford , Cheltenham, Chester , Chichester, Colchester Cornwall, Coventry, Crewe, Derby, Devon, Dewsbury, Dudley, Dundee, Durham, Edinburgh, Essex, Exeter, Fareham, Gateshead, Glasgow Glossop Gloucester, Grantham, Harlow, Heathrow, Hemel Hempstead, Hereford, High Wycombe, Horsham, Hull, Inverness, Isle of Wight, Kent, Kidderminster, Lancaster Leamington Spa, Leeds, Lincoln, Liverpool , London , Luton , Manchester, Middlesborough, Milton Keynes, Newbury, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Norfolk, North Wales , Northampton, Nottingham , Oldham, Oxford , Plymouth, Reading, Salisbury, Sheffield, Shrewsbury, Shrewsbury, Slough, Somerset , Somerton, South Shields, South Wales, Stafford, Stockport , Stoke-on-Trent , Stratford-Upon-Avon, Sudbury, Sunderland, Surrey, Sussex , Teesside, Telford, Uxbridge, Wakefield, Walsall, Warrington, Warwick , Watford, Wigan, Windsor, Wolverhampton, Worcester, Wrexham, Yeovil, York.
You can also have industrial packaging from Macfarlane Packaging delivered across Ireland and Continental Europe. Click to find your closest UK location or nearest Continental European site.