Custom-cut meat supplier Chicago Meat Authority has recently switched to a new crush-resistant shipping case that also has built-in handles that make it easier to manually palletize.

The company replaced its previous flap-sealed box—which did not have handles—with a partial-overlap container from Veritiv that has a 32 edge-crush test specification. Additionally, the medium was upgraded to a 33-pound standard. Kyle Richard, evp of sales and marketing for Chicago Meat Authority (CMA), says the company estimates the new boxes will have 10% more stacking strength.

“We changed because it is important to pack our superior product in superior packaging,” Richard says. “The old boxes didn’t showcase our product to its best advantage. This box is the most ideal packaging for broadline distributors.”

The 0.98 cubic feet corrugated case measures 16-1/2 x 11-5/8 x 6-13/16 inches and will hold approximately 30 pounds of product. The products are individually sleeved or cases are poly-lined. CMA will use the new boxes for most of its products—including pork ribs, steaks, ground chuck and ground pork, brisket bones, turkey and pork bacon, and raw meatloaf mix—sold to foodservice operations, meat purveyors, regional and national chains, grinding operations, deli manufacturers and the meat snacks market.

Although the new case costs “a bit more,” CMA will not be passing on the added cost to customers. “In our continuing quest to be the preferred supplier of our customers, we are shipping certain products in our new crush-resistant boxes with built-in handles,” says Richard. “Our superior product now will be shipped in superior packaging.”

The company did not need a new case erector even though the box style changed.

Top of new partial-overlap container (POC) case style.

New handle makes the case easiser to lift, carry and palletize.

The bottom provides information on box strength and disposal.

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