Chick Packaging has developed a deep expertise centered on providing solutions to product protection and packaging needs. We recently evaluated the packaging methods of a Memphis, TN medical imaging machine manufacturer who was sustaining product damage during transit. They approached Chick for help at the recommendation of one of their contract manufacturers, who was an existing Chick customer.

The company manufactures highly innovative and sensitive medical imaging equipment and was experiencing packaging and logistics problems – handling, storage and freight during the transit process were resulting in damaged products and repeated loss claims. They turned to Chick for a packaging solution that would relieve these worries and reduce their costs.

The manufacturer was shipping their innovative equipment domestically and exporting these machines all over the world, so proper care and protective packaging were essential. Unfortunately, their previous packaging approach had been designed by a transport carrier and consisted of a wooden base with corrugated walls. The packaged machine was being shipped vertically but was unstable due to its small base footprint relative to the overall height of the unit. As a result the unit was either falling over or laid down during transit – both situations ending with packaging failure and damage to the machine.

Chick’s proposed solution was the Foldy Pac™ Nail-less Wooden Crate system, combined with custom foam cushion inserts to ensure full protection of the unit. The cushioned Foldy solution enabled the company to ship the unit horizontally, which maximized the area of the base footprint and eliminated the instability. We further protected the unit with Vapor Barrier protection - a sealed, vapor-proof foil barrier that eliminates exposure to and damage from moisture during transport and storage.

As part of the packaging design process, a prototype was developed and put through independent lab testing to mimic the conditions of air, land and ocean transport. The design exceeded the company’s expectations; they became a customer and implementation of this design led to an immediate reduction of damage in shipping and related losses. As an additional benefit, Chick’s packaging solution opened greater distribution options for the customer who could now confidently arrange long-term storage of this medical equipment. The machines are now distributed globally and this customer is enjoying the benefits of the value-adding protective packaging designed by Chick.