NOVEMBER 2023 AFTERMARKET 19 www.aftermarketonline.net d Protecting As an independent trade body, VLS is here to protect you by verifying that lubricant products really can deliver what they claim. That means you can have confidence that the engine oils you use in your customers’ vehicles are fit for purpose. If you have any concerns about a lubricant product, report them to us on 01442 875922 or d i @ kl l k www.ukla-vls.org.uk workshop you and your admin@ukla-v vls orguk third the space on the return trip. “These racks are designed to protect class A or other easily damaged parts,” says the executive. “We experienced far less damage with our glass components, fiberglass components, and painted parts, as well as instrument panels and electrical parts.” When desired, the steel shipping rack can be designed with consideration for part loading, unloading, and assembly. This may involve orienting parts so they can be easily pulled from production and placed in the rack for transport, and then later removed in the proper orientation for quick assembly at the plant. When the rack is empty, it can be folded down to minimize the space used on a truck, returned to the supplier, and refilled. “Steel King racks are built to minimise the amount of labor required all the way along the line from the supplier to the point of unloading and assembly,” says the executive. Over time, Steel King has customised approximately 40 configurations of shipping rack for the automotive OEM and is now their principal supplier. Heil points out that customizing shipping rack is easier than ever today and can accommodate parts such as tires, doors, radiators, bumpers, fuel tanks, dash boards, instrument panels, glass, and mirrors. “Previously, we would design a shipping rack around a sample part, but now OEMs have digital 3D models of their parts that we use to expedite our CAD design. We then create a prototype to confirm that the physical part fits well,” says Heil. In the industry, it is not uncommon for some companies that provide custom shipping rack to specialize in design while others focus on manufacturing, but this can complicate and delay the process. In contrast, providers like Steel King have the industry experience to take a custom shipping rack project from start to finish, from design to the assembly line. Although the automotive industry has tolerated some part damage as well as container and dunnage waste as a cost of doing business, using custom engineered shipping rack can better protect products while requiring less space and labor. Manufacturers that adopt these best practice techniques can substantially boost their bottom line in an ecofriendly manner. For more information, visit: www.steelking.com
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