The question comes up more than you’d think.
Someone has a single high-value shipment going out. They need it properly packaged. But they assume custom means bulk. Minimum order quantities, tooling costs, a process designed for volume buyers only.
So they settle for whatever’s available and hope for the best.
That assumption costs people money.
Yes, you can order one crate
There’s no minimum order quantity at Clip-Lok SimPak SA. If you need one crate, we build one crate.
This isn’t a compromise offering. The single unit goes through exactly the same engineering process as an order of fifty. Same design consultation. Same custom foam inserts. Same ISPM 15 exempt plywood construction.
The only difference is quantity.
What the process actually looks like
It starts with a conversation, not a catalogue.
I need to understand the product. Its dimensions, weight, how it’s handled, and what the journey looks like. Is it going on a pallet? Being hand-carried through a freight depot? Unpacked and repacked at the other end?
Those details shape the design. A crate built for a single airfreight shipment looks different to one designed for repeated overland use, even if the product inside is identical.
Once I have what I need, I’ll come back with a design and a quote. For a straightforward single unit, that turnaround is fast.
Why single-unit orders make sense for certain buyers
Not everyone ships the same product every week. Some of our clients ship a single complex piece of equipment once or twice a year. A prototype, a capital instrument, a bespoke component going to a specific end-user.
For those shipments, a purpose-built crate isn’t a luxury. It’s the only sensible option.
The cost of one engineered crate is almost always less than the excess on a single insurance claim. And that’s before you factor in replacement lead times, client relationship repair, and the administrative headache of a damaged goods claim.
What to have ready before you call
You don’t need engineering drawings or detailed specs to start the conversation. Most clients come to me with the product, a rough idea of dimensions, and a shipping deadline.
That’s enough to get started.
Useful things to have if you can:
- Physical dimensions and weight of the product
- Any fragility or sensitivity concerns (vibration, moisture, shock)
- Whether the crate needs to be returned or stored after delivery
- Your shipping deadline
The more context you can give me upfront, the faster we can turn around a design that works.
One crate, done properly
If you’ve got a shipment going out and you’re not confident in your current packaging, don’t wait until something breaks.
Call me on 072 733 0933 or email jcook@clip-lok.co.za. One crate, one conversation. Let’s get it right before it leaves your door.
