Don’t buy the wrong boxes!!! Plastic storage boxes are manufactured in many types and all shapes and sizes which can make choosing the right box fairly complicated.

The following information is provided is to help you choose the best plastic storage box, tote or container for your requirements.

Our sales team can offer advice based on many years experience of matching customer’s requirements to boxes from our range. Please telephone or email us. We will endeavour to find the best suited storage solution for you. Alternatively for more information please read our below introduction to the various types of storage product available:

Size
* Small: Designed for small parts picking & components storage. Often used with storage racks or louvered panels.

* Medium: For all general purpose storage, distribution, automated and manual handling (as long as manual handling safe weight regulations). Available in a large range of sizes and mostly rectangular in shape. Depth can vary greatly from very shallow to as deep as length of box. Some boxes are designed to be modular (e.g. 2 small sized boxes will stack on a large size)

* Large: For High volume, bulk & all big capacity requirements. Static / mobile storage tanks for storage of liquids, solids, waste. Suitable for internal / external use. Pallet sized plastic containers and collapsible bulk boxes for static storage and distribution / transport. These are designed for easy moving with handling equipment such as pallet trucks or forklifts.

Strength
All of our storage products are made from plastic with nearly all being either a type of Polyethylene or Polypropylene. The strength of the material comes from the density / type plastic used and the design of the box. Reinforced bases, sides and corners provide extra strength & rigidity therefore increasing loading capacity. All of these factors also influence how well the box protects contents / resists damage to impacts.
Strength needs to be considered as a priority when buying any box, tote or container. Also the box has to perform well enough for the task in mind. E.g. a lightweight material box is no good for building sites / van distribution. If the contents are heavy there is a need for a box with a reinforced base, which will adequately support the load.

Stackability
Nearly all of our plastic boxes, totes and containers stack securely on top of each other, this is essential for safe storage in a warehouse or transport on a vehicle or pallet.
The European Standard Range (ESR) of boxes are designed on a modular system, meaning two smaller boxes will stack on one larger and so on.
Most industrial boxes and ESR boxes are designed to fit exactly onto standard size or Euro pallets, ensuring optimum handling and maximising use of space in the warehouse or when transported.
The maximum stacking height and loading capacity of any plastic box or container will depend on weight of stored items and strength of material and design of box. This must be considered when planning highly stacked storage with heavy contents. Failure to do this can lead to possible collapse of the box with potential dangerous consequences.

Storage when not in use / Nestability
A great advantage of most plastic storage boxes is their ability to save space when not in use.
Nesting is when one box will go inside the other when empty therefore only taking up a fraction of the space.
Nesting boxes are ideal for distribution or warehouse storage as these containers use approx 60-80% less space when nested. Ideal for when not in use in the warehouse or on return transport, therefore offering a potential saving on distribution costs.
Various boxes stack or nest in different ways, some containers are designed with bale arms, which swing out to support stacked boxes but otherwise nest if these are not in place. Attached lid boxes stack with lids closed and nest inside each other with the lids open alongside the box.
The final common method is where the shape of the box is moulded in such a way that swivelling the box 180 degrees will allow easy stacking or nesting.

Lids
Most containers, boxes and totes are open topped unless otherwise specified on our website. Lids are ideal for extra protection or for keeping contents secure. Lids are available for many boxes and these are available in various types:
Attached lid containers ensure the lid can never be lost. These can either be hinged on one side, normally with catches to secure in place, or split down the middle into two hinged halves, this type allows easy stacking / nesting as above.
Drop on lids are the norm for all Euro stacking containers, tanks and large bulk containers and pallet boxes.

Ventilation
Ventilated boxes are required for applications when contents require breathing or drainage. Examples can be wet contents or fresh items such as produce. Ventilated boxes are commonly referred to as crates.
Crates can be supplied with a ventilated base, ventilated sides or a combination of the two when maximum airflow / drainage is required.

Colour & Visibility
Industrial containers are normally produced in grey as standard. Some items have colour options and these are always highlighted on our website, there may be a minimum order quantity on some colours.
Coloured containers can be used as a basis for a colour coding system for contents or process stage identification. Obviously a range of colours can also be used for aesthetic reasons.
We also supply two ranges of boxes and totes in clear transparent plastic. Obvious benefits are visibility and easy identification of contents without having to access the box.

Security
We can offer a range of plastic boxes that can give an extra level of security for more valuable contents. All attached lid boxes can be supplied with tamper-evident security seals that have to be broken to open the lid. This can be ideal for distribution purposes.
If higher value items are being stored we have three ranges of plastic boxes and trunks from our big boxes range that feature in-built padlock fittings or fitted locks.

Order Picking
We offer the UK's widest range of open fronted / easy access boxes, crates, containers and picking bins. Some feature an open partition for access, other containers feature a hinged Perspex door that can enclose contents and protect from dust etc…
All boxes provide easy display / identification and access to contents making them perfect for order / stock picking, warehousing, site office, component storage, garment storage, motor / garage / workshop parts etc.

Food Grade Storage
Most of our boxes and containers are manufactured from material that is food grade and suitable for fresh or unwrapped food stuffs. The only exception is recycled material boxes, which are black in colour and not suitable for any food grade storage. If in doubt please ask us for advice.

Used Boxes/ Second Hand Crates
Second hand plastic storage boxes are normally available. They are commonly large industrial distribution type stacking containers or attached lid boxes, which are designed for easy palletisation.
We only supply better quality used boxes, which are relatively clean, structurally sound and in good condition. Choosing the used option over new obviously can provide significant cost savings to the end user.