As the leading provider of rental crates in the UK, we move over 9 million crates per year and help a wide range of industries such as removals and storage, food processing and distribution, retail and fit out companies.
With over 100 operational staff and a fleet of 29 vehicles, we have pretty much seen everything there is to see when it comes to office moves, moving retail inventory, transporting sensitive materials that need a higher level of protection, and more.
As a result, we have put together this post answering some of the most common questions asked by our customers and potential customers alike.
If you are considering trying a rental crate service, or currently move a lot of items in a different way, this post should answer any lingering question you might have, and explain how such a service can help you save money, reduce stress and support a smoother moving operation.
Let's start with a simple one for those who are new to the idea:
1. What are rental crates, and how do they differ from traditional cardboard boxes?
Rental crates are sturdy, reusable containers designed specifically for businesses to streamline their moving processes. Unlike traditional cardboard boxes, rental crates are made of durable plastic material, ensuring enhanced protection for the items being transported. These crates are equipped with interlocking lids and are stackable, maximising storage space and minimising the risk of damage during transit.
Compared to traditional cardboard boxes, rental crates offer several advantages.
Firstly, their robust construction and secure lids guarantee the safety of fragile or valuable items. This eliminates the need for excessive padding or additional packaging materials, saving both time and money. Additionally, rental crates are eco-friendly as they can be repeatedly used, reducing waste and contributing to sustainable business practices.
Moreover, rental crates provide convenience and efficiency during the moving process. Their uniform shape and size allow for easy stacking and loading onto dollies or carts, simplifying transportation and minimising the risk of accidents. They also eliminate the hassle of assembling and taping cardboard boxes, saving valuable labour time.
By utilising these durable and reusable crates, businesses can significantly enhance their return on investment compared to other methods of moving goods.
Which brings us to the next question:
2. Are rental crates cost-effective compared to traditional moving boxes?
Yes, rental crates are extremely cost-effective compared to traditional moving boxes. While traditional moving boxes need to be purchased and often disposed of after a single use, rental crates provide a more sustainable and economical solution.
Rental crates can be used, cleaned and then used again multiple times, as they are durable and designed for repeated use. This eliminates the need for businesses to constantly buy new boxes, reducing their moving expenses in the long run.
Furthermore, as detailed in the previous question, rental crates are generally made from strong materials such as plastic, which ensures better protection for the items being moved compared to regular cardboard boxes. This, along with ergonomic design features such as stackability and handles can help prevent damage and minimise potential losses during the moving process.
3. What sizes and types of rental crates are available?
When it comes to rental crates for businesses, a variety of sizes and types are available to cater to different needs. These rental crates are designed to provide a solution that is not only efficient but also cost-effective, ensuring a massive return on investment over other moving methods.
One popular size option for rental crates is the LCB3 standard lidded crate. This size is commonly used for general office supplies, files, and small equipment. It offers a spacious interior while still being manageable and easy to transport. A similar but larger option is the LC6B lidded metre crate, which is suitable for bulkier items that may not fit in the standard-sized crate.
For businesses requiring more unique options, there are small personal crates for easy carrying, flat screen computer crates designed to keep IT hardware protected, crates designed for easy carrying up stairs, and many, many more specialist options.
Overall, the availability of various sizes and types of rental crates provides businesses with flexibility and convenience in choosing the most appropriate solution for their specific needs. By utilising rental crates, businesses can ensure a smooth and cost-effective moving process, ultimately leading to a massive return on investment.
4. How are rental crates delivered and picked up?
Rental crates are delivered and picked up in a hassle-free and efficient manner. When businesses choose to rent crates for their moving needs, a delivery truck is scheduled to bring the crates to the desired location. The crates are typically delivered to the business's doorstep or loading dock, saving time and effort for the employees. The delivery process is carefully coordinated to ensure that the crates arrive on time and in the right quantity.
As for phs Teacrate specifically - we are in every geographical area and because we’re next door, everywhere, we are on hand to help wherever you are. Next working day delivery is available on all stocked items through our national network of depots, conveniently located throughout the entire UK, which also cater for customer collections at all locations. This makes us your best local provider, no matter where you are in the country.
Once the business has finished using the rental crates, our fleet of vehicles collect them again. A scheduled pick-up is arranged, and a truck arrives at the location to collect the crates. Our trained operatives take care of the entire retrieval process, eliminating any additional stress for the business.
The delivery and pick-up process for rental crates offers utmost convenience for businesses. It saves them from the hassle of purchasing and disposing of cardboard boxes or other moving supplies. At Teacrate we take care of all logistics and tracking, allowing the client to focus on their core operations.
This ease of delivery and pick-up also ensures that businesses can swiftly complete their moving tasks, minimising downtime and maximising productivity. phs Teacrate gives you full support 24 hours a day via Cratelink, a market leading online crate management system. This allows you to amend an order, specify deliveries or collection, access historical information and produce reports.
In summary, rental crates are efficiently delivered and picked up by scheduling a delivery truck to bring the crates to the business location, followed by a scheduled pick-up to retrieve the crates. This streamlined process provides businesses with a stress-free solution for their moving needs.
5. What measures are in place to ensure the cleanliness of rental crates?
At phs Teacrate, we prioritise cleanliness to ensure the satisfaction and hygiene of our customers. We have implemented several measures to guarantee the cleanliness of our rental crates.
Firstly, before each rental, our crates go through one of our two UK crate washing facilities. The wash process used by phs Teacrate is very thorough, especially for equipment required in the food industry. All items are prewashed, main washed, then clean crates are rinsed in clean water. We can also dry to <10g of rinse water per tray if required.
To confirm their cleanliness is to a high standard, phs Teacrate routinely swab tests for evidence of bacteria, with RLU (Reflective Light Units) recorded and logged (by customer). This is particularly important for food supply chains.
Furthermore, our rental crates are made from durable and easy-to-clean materials that can withstand various cleaning methods. They are designed with smooth surfaces that are resistant to stains and odours, making them easy to sanitise.
To maintain cleanliness during transportation, our rental crates are securely stacked and sealed to prevent dust or dirt from entering. This ensures that the crates arrive at the customer's location in a clean condition.
6. Can rental crates accommodate fragile or sensitive items?
Yes, rental crates are designed to accommodate fragile or sensitive items effectively. Even the most basic rental crates accommodate this - however we also have specialist crates that provide even more protection for specific items that require it. These crates are specifically built to provide superior protection and security for delicate items during the moving process. They are made from sturdy materials such as durable plastics, ensuring that fragile items are well-protected from any potential damages. Rental crates often feature cushioning, padding, and dividers that further safeguard delicate items from impacts or rough handling.
Additionally, rental crates offer the advantage of customisation. Companies can choose from a variety of crate sizes and designs to cater to specific needs, ensuring that fragile or sensitive items can be securely placed and transported.
Moreover, specialty rental crates, such as those with climate control features, are available for items that require controlled temperature or humidity levels.
By opting for rental crates, businesses can eliminate the risks associated with traditional moving methods, such as using cardboard boxes or flimsy containers. The sturdy construction of rental crates, combined with their protective features and customisation options, make them an excellent choice for accommodating fragile or sensitive items. Ultimately, this ensures that businesses can move their delicate assets with confidence, reducing the chances of any costly damages and maximising their return on investment.
7. How do rental crate services contribute to sustainability efforts?
Rental crate services make a significant contribution to sustainability efforts in several ways.
Firstly, these services eliminate the need for traditional cardboard boxes, which are typically used for moving and storage purposes. Cardboard boxes are not only wasteful but also require a large number of trees to be cut down for production. By opting for durable rental crates, businesses can significantly reduce their carbon footprint and minimise deforestation.
Moreover, rental crates are reusable and designed to withstand multiple uses, reducing the demand for new packaging materials. This circular approach to packaging eliminates the need for constant production and disposal of single-use boxes, thereby reducing landfill waste.
Additionally, rental crate services often incorporate environmentally-friendly practices into their operations. Some providers such as phs Teacrate use sustainable materials in the production of their crates, such as recycled or recyclable plastics. Furthermore, efficient logistics and delivery systems are employed to optimise fuel consumption and reduce emissions during transportation.
In conclusion, rental crate services contribute to sustainability efforts by avoiding the use of wasteful cardboard boxes, promoting reusability and durability, and implementing environmentally-friendly practices throughout their operations. Adopting these services not only provides businesses with a cost-effective and efficient moving solution but also helps in creating a greener and more sustainable future.
Professional Crate Rental Services
With crate capacities ranging from 25 to 165 litres, no job is too big or too small for phs Teacrate. We serve the needs of households and businesses undertaking home or office moves, re-organisations, refurbishments or complete relocations.
We offer rental and outright purchase options and complimentary custom logo branding. Our crates are manufactured with phs Teacrate owned equipment, from tough polypropylene and provide a high level of protection for contents. They may be stacked when full and nested when empty for space saving. All our crates are 100% recyclable at the end of their life, therefore fully adhering to the waste framework directive and helping the environment.
We have a wide range of RTP products to meet the requirements of the food and retails sectors as well as logistics operations across a range of industries. Our products include bale arm crates, plastic pallets and pallet boxes. We also offer a full wash service where we collect, clean and return your food crates ready to use. We have the capacity to wash up to 400,000 crates every week.
To learn more or to discuss how we can help save you money and make your move go as smoothly as possible, get in touch now!