Imagine this: you’re an OEM of bespoke retail fixtures and displays. You’ve just completed a run of beautifully crafted custom displays for a client - they’re new, they’re shiny, and they’re ready to ship. That’s when you start sweating. Your current packaging supplier is slow to respond, and your deadline is looming. And you can’t just buy corrugated boxes and void-fill and call it a day - your products need a custom solution.
If you an OEM that fabricates fixtures and displays, you don’t have to imagine this: you’ve probably lived it. Whether your current packaging company is unresponsive or you’ve run into problems with getting your fixtures to the retailer safely and in one piece (or both), you’ve probably experienced hiccups with your shipping.
That’s where foam packaging comes in.Making the switch to foam packaging can reduce shipping costs, ensure your fixtures and displays make it to their destination safely, and keep the process simple for everyone. In this blog, we’ll discuss the 5 ways foam packaging can reduce fixture shipping costs and provide a powerful solution for your unique needs.
When it comes to shipping fixtures and displays, they can get heavy fast. This makes it a challenge to ship, because you need a packaging solution that will adequately protect your products…but you may end up increasing the overall weight of your package if you choose paper or corrugated options.
Due to foam’s unique material makeup of plastic and air, its an incredibly lightweight material. Yet, foam is still incredibly durable and supportive despite its light weight.
In one example, our team at Foam Industries worked with a fixture and display manufacturer that needed an affordable packaging solution to protect their products in transit. To solve the problem, we created a packaging design that stuck to their budget, reduced waste, and sped up their timelines.
If achieving a low shipping weight while retaining the ultimate protection during transit is your goal, foam is one of the best packaging options on the market for sending fixtures and displays to retailers.
Your display pieces are one-of-a-kind. If they arrive damaged, it can irrevocably tarnish your relationship with your customer. Now they have a broken display that needs to be replaced ASAP - and you’re on the hook for replacing it and getting it rush-shipped. The store is now behind on their timelines because of your damaged display. Not a good look.
Investing in foam packaging is an easy switch that ensures your products arrive without damage. It’s easier to prevent damages than to try and “fix” damages after the fact.
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Foam not only supports your heavy fixtures, but it also offers superior protection. Depending on the type(s) of foam you choose, you can mix-and-match endless protection options to craft the perfect solution for your specific product:
With foam packaging, you can have it all. Whatever your product needs, there’s a foam with the right properties to protect it during transit.
Another way foam packaging can indirectly reduce shipping fixture costs is through assembly. With other packaging types (bubble wrap, cardboard, crates, etc.), fixtures and displays often need to be partially (or fully) disassembled for shipping. When that’s the case, you may have to pay extra for labor costs by sending someone on-site to complete the assembly. Otherwise, your customers' employees will need to complete the assembly themselves…which is extremely challenging and leads to errors. Neither of these options is ideal.
Because foam can be custom-molded to specific shapes, can be used as a wrap for glass and plastic and is ideal at protecting both heavy and fragile components: this makes it a fantastic option for shipping your fixtures as close to fully-assembled as possible. The easier you can make it for your retail clients to unpack and set up the display, the better the end results for everyone.
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Unlike most packaging options, foam offers one of the greatest benefits: incredible durability, no excess materials, and more cost savings. Instead of packing in tons of excess materials, foam allows you to use just enough materials to get the job done and keep your products safe in transit. With the bare minimum packaging that still gets the job done, the result is a much smaller shipping container and less weight than other denser packaging options. And with a lower dimensional weight, you’ll experience lower freight charges overall.
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We can’t speak for everyone, but here at Foam Industries, we strive to create custom foam packaging just as unique as your fixtures and displays while staying in communication with every client of ours. Whether you have a one-off, highly customized project or you have a bulk order, we treat all our clients the same.
Finding a great foam packaging partner ensures that your custom foam designs remain a top priority and that you get great communication along the way. The best way to determine whether your packaging partner values you as a client is to reach out, gauge their response times, and see if their values and goals match your own. When you find the right fit, you’ll see just how much the right partner can help you stay within your budget, create the perfect packaging that suits your unique needs, and provide great communication every step of the way.
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Understanding the 5 ways foam packaging can reduce fixture shipping costs is a great step in the right direction for your company. If you’re dealing with shipping or communication problems with your current partner, you might want to rethink who you’re working with and what materials you use for your retail fixtures and displays.
If you’d like a scalable option for fixture rollouts of any size or customization, our experts at Foam Industries can help you find the best solution. With quick turnaround times, great communication, and flexibility to complete low-volume and high-volume orders, we can get your products shipped efficiently. Together, we can find the best solution to reduce packaging costs, lower shipping weight and keep products intact during transit.
Curious to see how foam packaging can solve fixture and display challenges?
Foam Industries is a custom protective packaging company specializing in foam – with additional wood and plastic fabrication services. Our custom foam fabrication services are ideal for any type of packaging, display, or support service needed – from design to finished product.