Custom industrial packaging is a service industry, because the packaging is customized to meet a specific application (a set of needs to ship a product to its point of use, and has unique requirements beyond the actual packaging material.) In fact, packaging is only part of "your problem": getting your product to it's point of use, which will require logistics, management, coordination, and other services. Most companies outsource their packaging, either to a supplier or a distributor, because it is not considered a strategic part of a company's value proposition. It is, however, an operational imperative. Ideally, packaging should be part of the new product introduction (NPI) planning process for a company's supply chain, with a goal of reducing complexity, and waste as well as streamlining communications.

An ATA case or Pelican case has a very rugged exterior, but it is the foam cushioning system inside the case that prevents damage to your equipment or product from shock and vibration. A custom foam insert isolates and protects each part or subassembly  This may include a custom fit cavity so that the part is secured from movement within the case.

Pelican cases, the best known hard shell case brand, are injection molded from plastic. They come in a variety of sizes, and have optional handles and/or corner casters. They are available either online or from an authorized Pelican Dealer such as Larson Packaging Company (LPC).

ATA cases are made of rigid panels and aluminum extrusions which are riveted together. ATA cases are custom built, and the most common form is the road case which opens like a trunk and is used by musicians.

Both types of cases provide excellent protection for transporting valuable or fragile equipment repetitively and can be used for more than 100 trips. This makes either case the lowest cost packaging on a cost-per-trip basis when compared to a corrugated box or crate. While the case will provide protection against exterior impacts, the internal protection for your equipment will come from standard or custom foam cushioning. The correct type, amount, and density of the foam should be specified, designed and fabricated by an expert.

The choice of materials and construction for case panels affects the attractiveness, strength, longevity and durability of a custom built ATA case that repeatedly transports equipment. A high quality panel will more effectively resist splits on impact, and it will not warp or degrade over time. Consequently, the transit case will always provide great protection for your equipment and resist damage despite harsh transportation, logistics or supply chain conditions and frequent loading and unloading

A well-made rack crate should open and unload easily, the loaded rack should slide smoothly up or down the ramp and fit snugly against the foam and blocking inside the crate. Unfortunately, when receiving empty crates, you will have to do your best with a visual inspection and a tape measure. Get a copy of the design and critical dimensions to confirm that the construction matches the specification.