Wooden Boxes and Crates

Even though box and crate products allow more efficient use of lower grades of lumber and scrap, some standardization of board sizes must be used to permit economic conversion into container stock. About 75 percent of the nation’s box and crating material comes from softwoods, mainly ponderosa pine and southern pine. Species utilization for crating follows closely the pattern of lumber production in the particular geographic area. Although the versatility of wood in fabricating containers of various sizes and shapes is an important advantage, standardization of boxes, etc., as to types, weights, strength, and other specifications is necessary to compete with other packaging materials. The National Wood Box Association has recommended a moisture content range of 8 to 18 percent in wood used for boxes. This organization is highly active through cooperative efforts of industry members in development of commercial box and crate specifications as well as developing new wooden packaging to challenge new demands and new competition. Projections were made of the greater utilization of wood in combination with other products, of adhesives, of more standardization to minimize manufacturing costs, and the increasing use of returnable containers.

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