How the Right Corrugate Drives Efficiency and Protection
Packaging plays a vital role in today’s fast-paced business landscape, ensuring product protection, preservation, and presentation. As the packaging industry continues to grow and adapt to changing market demands, it’s crucial for companies to stay ahead and offer exceptional packaging solutions. To provide insights into this dynamic landscape, we have developed Packaging Talks – a series of conversational panels with Crawford’s packaging experts. Whether you’re a business owner, a packaging professional, or simply curious, our panels aim to offer valuable information and inspiration.
In this installment of our Packaging Talks, we chat with Carey Berdock, Crawford’s General Sales Manager, about how choosing the right corrugate for your operation drives efficiency and protection.
Why does choosing the right box matter for your business?
At first glance, a corrugated box may appear to be a simple commodity—but the fact is, boxes vary widely in strength, material composition, design and performance. Choosing the wrong box can lead to damaged goods, higher returns, frustrated customers and wasted spend. For example, a food-distributor we recently worked with was using boxes that couldn’t reliably support the weight of their canned goods; the result was product damage and rejects at retail. A switch to a properly specified box and tape resolved it.
Beyond weight, there are other factors: is the product fragile or heavy? Are you shipping internationally or storing in cold/freezer conditions? Moisture, temperature, stacking height and transit handling all influence box performance.
What are the key factors to evaluate when selecting a box?
When assessing boxes, it’s smart to consider several dimensions:
- Product weight & dimensions: A large payload or odd sizing demands a stronger or custom box rather than a “one-size-fits-all” option
- Transit and handling environment: Will the box travel long distances, go through multiple handling or face stack pressure?
- Storage conditions: If it is stored in chilled or humid environments, absorbent corrugated or weak glue may lead to failure.
- Box size relative to product: Void space needs filling; even the best box won’t prevent damage if the product rattles inside.
- Material and sustainability considerations: Many boxes in Canada are built from nearly 100 % recycled content—but not all are equal. Differences among manufacturers matter.
How does the right box integrate into broader packaging operations?
The box is the foundation of every packaging system. When it’s consistent, correctly sized, and structurally sound, everything downstream — from case erecting to sealing — runs more efficiently. Automated lines, in particular, depend on uniform box dimensions to prevent jams and downtime.
At Crawford Packaging, we take a systems view of packaging. That means looking beyond just the box itself to how it interacts with your tape, automation, and workflow. The result is a packaging solution that protects products, improves efficiency, and reduces total cost over time.
What’s the smartest way for companies to evaluate their packaging today?
Many businesses are surprised by how much performance and cost improvement comes from a packaging audit. Evaluating how your boxes, tapes, and equipment work together can uncover inefficiencies you didn’t realize existed — from over-spec’d materials to under-performing seals.
By understanding the full lifecycle of your packaging — from formation to final delivery — you can choose materials that protect better, ship smarter, and align with your sustainability goals. The right box is more than just packaging; it’s a tool for brand integrity and operational efficiency.