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Wooden Packaging: A Key Factor for Logistics Efficiency

In the world of logistics, efficiency is key. Wooden packaging not only protects your product; it's a strategic tool that, with the right design, can significantly reduce delays and shipping costs. But how does it compare to other alternatives?


In this article, we explore how custom-made wooden packaging , from wooden pallets to server crating , outperforms generic options like cardboard or plastic.

Representation of the resistance of wooden packaging for industrial products.
Representación de cómo el mismo volumen de madera, puede soportar más carga que el mismo volumen de Cartón

1. Custom Size: The Battle for Space in the Container


One of the biggest logistical challenges is maximizing cargo space. Corrugated cardboard packaging, for example, offers standard sizes and is easy to use, but its lack of rigidity and customization can lead to inefficient use of space.

  • Wooden Packaging: Offers almost unlimited customization. Wooden packaging is designed and manufactured to perfectly fit the geometry of your product, filling every gap and minimizing empty space. This allows you to transport more products per trip, reducing the number of shipments required and freight costs .


  • Cardboard Packaging: Although lightweight and inexpensive, standard sizes and flexibility often result in empty space in shipping containers. For irregularly shaped goods, this means paying for air freight .


2. Strength and Durability: Avoiding Damage and Costly Delays with custom-made wooden packaging.


Plastic packaging is known for its lightness and uniformity, which facilitates stacking and reduces shipping weight. However, its rigidity can be a problem if it is not designed with a high safety factor. Wood, on the other hand, absorbs impact energy better than other materials.

  • Wooden Packaging: Wood, by its very nature, has a high impact absorption capacity. Wooden server packaging , for example, reinforced with foam, is designed not only to protect against shocks but also to absorb vibrations, which are the most common cause of damage to electronic equipment.

  • Plastic Pallets: Despite their lightness, plastic pallets tend to crack or break under concentrated impact loads, especially in cold temperatures . Although they are easy to clean, repairing a plastic pallet is expensive, whereas a wooden pallet can be repaired inexpensively. It is also important to consider that forming or volume options may be limited to mold sizes or long production runs.


With wood you can create pieces as thin as 1/2" and make packaging in virtually infinite shapes.


Example of the versatility of wood to make simple or complex packaging such as pallets or crates.
Dramatización sobre cómo, con madera, sobre todo para prototipos y pruebas, es posible elementos complejos sin necesidad de grandes inversiones como moldes o troqueles.

3. Stackability and Stability:


A pallet that slides or deforms under the load can be a disaster in a warehouse or during transport.

  • Wooden Packaging: The block pallet design, for example, offers a rigid structure that allows for safe and stable stacking. This reduces the risk of goods shifting, falling, or being damaged, ensuring safer and faster loading and unloading operations.

  • Other Alternatives: Plastic packaging can be more slippery than wood, increasing the risk of the cargo slipping during transport, especially if there has been some condensation or rain has fallen on the packaging.


Some data on the coefficient of friction between identical materials are given below.

Polyethylene (PE) on Polyethylene

µₛ~ 0.20-0.25

Wood on wood (dry)

µₛ ~ 0.25-0.50

A lower coefficient indicates a greater ease of sliding under a load.


Conclusion: An Investment in Resilience


Wooden packaging isn't just another option; it's a strategic investment in the resilience of your supply chain. By choosing a custom design, you not only optimize your space and reduce costs, but you also ensure the protection of your merchandise, preventing delays and losses that can damage your brand and profitability.


At Kayak Packaging, our expertise in wooden packaging engineering allows us to design solutions that solve your logistics challenges.


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