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Custom Wooden Crates

Light-duty parts crates to heavy machinery crating — built and braced for the road, the rail, and the container yard. Export crates heat-treated and IPPC-stamped in-house.

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OSB or Plywood? Find Out

The panel you wrap a crate in decides whether it survives the trip or arrives soft. Answer four questions — this is the same logic we use when we spec a build.

Sheathing Selector

Engineered, not guessed.

Guidance only — final spec is confirmed when we quote your actual dimensions and load.

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FactorOSBPlywood
CostLowerHigher
Moisture resistancePoor — swells and loses strength when wetGood — layered veneer holds up
Edge / fastener holdingWeaker at edgesStronger, resists pull-through
Repeat handlingSingle tripTolerates multiple trips
Ocean freightNot recommendedRecommended
Best fitDry domestic, one-wayExport, outdoor, high-value
Why this matters more than it sounds. A crate that arrives with soft, delaminated panels can't be restacked, can't be reused, and doesn't protect what's inside on the last leg of the trip. The panel is usually a small share of the crate cost and a large share of whether it works.

How a Crate Is Built

Panels don't carry the load. The frame does.

1

Base & Skids

Solid-wood skids or a runner base sized to the load, spaced for clean forklift entry. Weight spreads across the base instead of concentrating on panel edges.

2

Frame & Cleats

Solid-wood framing and cleats carry the structural load and give the sheathing something to fasten into. Cleat spacing is set by panel thickness, not by habit.

3

Sheathing & Bracing

OSB, plywood, or slat panels applied to the frame, with internal blocking and bracing so the contents don't move inside the box.

Cleat Spacing Guidance

Thin sheathing spanning too far between cleats will bow, then crack under handling. Panel thickness sets the maximum span.

Sheathing ThicknessMax Recommended Cleat SpacingTypical Application
¼″~24″Light parts crates, low load, fully supported
⅜″~32″Light to medium domestic crating
½″~40″General purpose — most standard crates
⅝″ – ¾″~48″Heavy machinery, high-value export
Wide panels need a mid-wall cleat. A crate wall wider than the spacing above needs an intermediate vertical cleat, even if the corners are solid. Without it, the center of the panel is the weak point — and that's where a forklift or a strap will find it.

Crate Types

Domestic · Cost-Effective

OSB Sheathed

Fully enclosed crates sheathed in oriented strand board. The economical choice when the crate stays dry, stays in the U.S., and makes one trip.

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Export · Marine

Plywood Sheathed

Layered veneer panels that resist moisture, hold fasteners at the edges, and survive container-yard handling. The default for ocean freight and high-value equipment.

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Ventilated

Slat / Open Crates

Spaced solid-wood slats instead of full panels. Lighter, lower cost, and lets air through — good for contents that don't need a sealed box or that need to be visible.

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IPPC ISPM-15 stamp US-169116 HT

Export Crates — Treated & Stamped In-House

The plywood or OSB panels are exempt from ISPM-15, but the solid-wood frame, cleats, and skids are not. We heat-treat and stamp those components under IPPC registration US-169116 HT as part of the build, so the finished crate ships compliant without a second stop.

How heat treatment works →

Crating FAQ

Should I use OSB or plywood for my crate?
OSB is a cost-effective choice for dry, domestic shipments that stay under cover. Plywood holds up far better to moisture and repeated handling, which makes it the right call for ocean freight, humid climates, and anything sitting outdoors or on a container yard. Our selector tool on this page walks through the decision.
Do plywood or OSB crates need ISPM-15 heat treatment?
The panels themselves are exempt, because plywood and OSB are manufactured using heat and adhesives. The solid wood framing, cleats, skids, and runners attached to them are not exempt and must be heat treated and stamped for export.
What is the largest crate you can build?
We build from small parts crates up to heavy machinery crates. Send dimensions and weight and we will tell you what the build looks like, including whether skids, rub rails, or internal bracing are needed.
Can you build to a drawing, or do you need one?
Neither is required. Dimensions and load weight are enough to start. If you have a drawing we will work from it; if you have a photo of the item, that usually tells us what we need.
How are heavy crates supported underneath?
Heavy crates sit on skids or a runner base sized to the load, so a forklift can enter cleanly and the weight spreads instead of concentrating on the panel edges.
Do you crate for international shipping?
Yes. Export crates are built with the solid wood components heat treated and stamped under IPPC registration US-169116 HT, with certification documents provided.

Have something that needs crating?

Request a Quote Call (281) 757-6822