With over 20 years in the industry, HCI has encountered a vast expanse of
shipping needs. Servicing oil well supplies, petrochemical industries,
medical equipment, and agricultural machinery, HCI has met each challenge
with freshness, creativity, care and concern.
COMPUTERIZED FREIGHT TRACKING SYSTEM
Prior to an order, HCI receives purchase orders via an online system, which
are then entered into the company's automated freight tracking system. When
the cargo is received from the shipper, manufacturer or freight forwarder,
it is confirmed through material receipts assigned at receiving and tracked
through the system. Once all parts of a purchase order are received, the
system notifies HCI and the PO is released for packing. Dealing with
freight of all kinds (FAK) on a daily basis, this system is mandatory to
afford HCI to track all cargo through each step of the crating and packaging
process. This process also allows for freight consolidation on larger
projects where the freight may come in at various times.
LINE ITEM RECEIVING
This aspect entails checking each item listed on the purchase order to
ensure that all freight has been received and without damage. HCI verifies
each part number against the purchase order to ensure that the freight our
customers order is the freight we receive.
HEAT TREAT CERTIFIED (HT)
All our lumber is heat treated to HT standards to meet ISPM-15 and IPPC
standards. Many countries have certain restrictions on the wood that they
allow to enter their countries and HCI uses wood on each of its crates that
meets these standard requirements.
CERTIFICATES
HCI employs a staff that can issue USDA certificates and handle hazardous
materials (DOT, IATA, IMO). Fumigatory services are also provided for
fumigation certificates.
ON-SITE PACKING
HCI is willing to come to you. Many of our customers prefer this approach
due to its many advantages of cutting transportation costs, handling their
freight with their own equipment and protecting their cargo before it ever
leaves their site. When this is the case, HCI is happy to come to your
facilities, build a crate, and package your freight on site. We come,
lumber cut and crews ready, to assimilate and accommodate so that our
customers' needs are met with the greatest ease and least time lost.
CUSTOM BOXING AND CRATING
The purpose of crating is to protect our customer's cargo against damages
incurred in transit, by weather, theft or multiple handlings. At HCI, the
personnel are dedicated to fabricating the most protective packaging for our
customer's freight. HCI is capable of designing specific packaging for
delicate instruments by using foam products to absorb vibrations and shock,
as well as designing special engineered crating for oversized, electronic,
and delicate equipment. Crates are constructed by hand to meet customer's
unique and specific requirements. HCI assists in the development and
engineering design, according to the needs and budget of the customer, as
well as the requirements of the specific material to be packed. HCI creates
boxes for single use or reusable, multi-use crates as well as stock boxes,
which can be built and delivered to our customer's site for packing at
leisure.
PROJECT PACKING
Due to HCI's manpower, quality personnel, storage facilities, and freight
tracking system, they posses the ability to handle turnkey projects from
conception of the PO to port delivery-airport or ocean. HCI's friendly
working relations with IAH, Barbours Cut, Greensport Terminal, Texas
Terminal, Woodhouse Terminal, Manchester Terminal, Houston City Docks,
Galveston Port, Gulf Stream, Joe D. Hughes and Jacinto Port, produces
convenient dockside packing.
CONTAINERIZATION
Containerization generally includes packaging for equipment including
standard containers, flat-racks, and open-top containers. Individual pieces
of freight may or may not require export packaging, depending on the nature
of the material to be shipped. HCI offers different securing methods based
on the mode of shipping-rail or ocean. Material already prepared for
containerization is delivered to HCI as well as freight that still require
export preparation.
FLAT RACKS
HCI handles and loads 20 and 40 foot flat racks for standard and oversized
transportation while also adapting to meet ocean and rail specifications.
CROSS DOCK FREIGHT
HCI possesses the ability to receive imports, strip the containers, and
distribute throughout the United States.
STORAGE
There are 36,000 square feet of warehouse space in the HCI facility, and 70%
of that space is dedicated to storage of freight, situated on 6.7 acres of
land. With short and long term storage options, Houston Crating is happy
to be the facility where your freight can wait to move! This facility is in
an enclosed, gated, alarmed facility developed to protect your cargo.