Who says shipping crates can’t be cool?

It all started when I couldn’t find a good solution to protect the new trade show display during shipping. The addition of a TV meant I couldn’t just strap tubs to a pallet and assume it would all make it to the show in one piece.

The idea began with sketch and the knowledge that I had access to a huge Laguna router table. I needed to strike a balance between protecting the contents and the overall weight, so freight didn’t cost an arm and a leg. A plastic pallet was a must for weight reduction. Three display bags, lights, TV, and swag compartments were also essential. The inclusion of the podium would mean an additional level, so it was left to strap to the top (besides, it had already managed to make several round trips strapped to plastic totes on a rickety wooden pallet). I wanted to make it as easy as possible for the Sales team to unpack and repack the whole thing, so I came up with the idea of self-nesting corners. This allowed the entire assembly to hold together with a single rachet strap.

A short time with our Lead Designer (and a little begging and pleading) I had a functional SolidWorks model that could be prepped for the router table. Having cut all the section, I took them home for the weekend. I certainly could have built it at the shop, but we’re a steel fabricator, not a carpentry shop and I prefer the familiarity of my own tools.

Assembly went well, even if it was a little too big for my small garage space. Always one to go the extra mile, I finished it in branded colors and mounted a laser-cut tag with the logo, website, and phone number.

On its maiden voyage it went to the BNSF Startup in Norman, Oklahoma. My sales team was impressed with its efficient layout and ease of use. The only complaint was that I didn’t pack it with enough our EMI branded Jerky bites from Prasek’s.