Pros

Wire Mesh Containers – Wire mesh containers offer excellent visibility and airflow, making them well suited for WIP storage, picking, kitting, and applications where operators need to quickly identify contents without opening the container. Steel construction provides inherent fire resistance and good durability for moderate industrial use, while collapsible designs help reduce empty return freight and storage space.

Steel Corrugated Containers – Steel containers provide the highest load capacity and durability of all container types, making them the preferred choice for heavy, sharp, hot, or irregular metal parts in high-abuse environments. They offer inherent fire resistance and long service life and are commonly powder coated to protect against corrosion and improve durability in typical plant environments. For applications involving high heat, freshly machined, oily, or raw metal parts, steel containers are also available in bare metal finishes, eliminating concerns with coating damage, off-gassing, or contamination.

Aluminum Containers – Aluminum containers balance metal durability with reduced tare weight, offering inherent fire resistance while improving freight efficiency compared to steel. They are well suited for closed-loop systems, export shipments, and high-value components where corrosion resistance and weight savings are important. Aluminum containers are also fully recyclable and typically retain a high scrap value, which can be advantageous at end of life.

Plastic Bulk Containers – Plastic bulk containers provide consistent dimension, corrosion resistance, and excellent cleanability, making them ideal for food, beverage, pharmaceutical, distribution, and automated material-handling environments. They are available in rigid, collapsible, and sleeve-pack designs and are designed for repeated reuse in closed-loop systems, helping reduce packaging waste and handling costs over time. Most industrial plastic containers are also recyclable at end of life, supporting corporate sustainability initiatives.

Cons/Watch out –

Wire Mesh Containers - Wire mesh containers are designed for floor stacking and are non rackable without optional runner bars or reinforced bases, which must be specified if pallet racking is required. Additional watchouts include limited containment for small or delicate parts unless liners or dunnage are used, and potential corrosion or deformation over time in wet environments or under repeated forklift impact.

Steel Corrugated Containers – As a tradeoff, most steel containers are non-collapsible, and when stacked empty they can reach heights of 86 inches, which can significantly increase return freight and storage costs in closed-loop or returnable packaging programs. Their weight further compounds and manual handling challenges, transportation costs, and without proper dunnage, steel containers may damage finished or precision components.

Aluminum Containers – However, the higher initial cost must be justified by return-cycle economics, and aluminum is less tolerant of severe impact or abrasion than steel. Because of their scrap value, aluminum containers can be prone to theft if stored outdoors, requiring controlled storage or security measures in open-yard environments.

Plastic Bulk Containers - However, plastic containers are combustible unless specified with flame-retardant additives, which may be required to meet fire code or insurance requirements. Performance can also vary by resin type-cold temperatures, forklift impact, and high heat can lead to cracking or deformation if the material is not properly specified. Rackability and load ratings must be carefully verified, as not all plastic containers are designed for racked storage.

Best Use by Industrial Container Type

Quick recommendations based on what matters most: budget, visibility, durability, or asset life.

Wire Mesh Containers: Model: W-J-203222,

Visible, ventilated floor-stacked storage for WIP, picking, and kitting applications.

Steel Corrugated Container: Model: SCC-18 Solid Wall Series

Heavy-duty containment for hot, sharp, or extremely heavy industrial parts.

Aluminum Container: Model BC 4840-34

Lightweight, corrosion-resistant containers for high-value, closed-loop material handling.

Plastic Bulk Containers: Model: 299BXA006

Clean, reusable containers for automation, sanitation, and distribution environments.

Expert Tips for Selecting Industrial Containers

1. Calculate ROI Beyond Purchase Price

Start by quantifying total return on investment, not just unit cost. Consider the number of trips per year, expected service life, and whether the container supports a single-use or reusable model. Factor in disposal costs avoided, reduced damage or scrap through improved load containment, and space savings from stackable or collapsible designs. Enhanced product quality, fewer handling touches, and lower labor exposure often deliver meaningful "soft ROI" that materially improves the business case. Country of origin should also be included in the ROI calculation-containers made in the U.S. may offer more predictable lead times, higher material consistency, and insulation from tariffs or sudden landed-cost increases, while imported containers can introduce supply-chain risk, variable availability, and exposure to changing trade policies.

2. Shift the Mindset from Expense to Capital Investment

Industrial containers used in closed-loop or long-term operations should be evaluated as capital assets rather than consumable expenses. Capitalizing containers allows organizations to align depreciation with useful life, better reflect true operating costs, and justify higher-quality designs that reduce replacement frequency. This mindset shift often unlocks better container selection decisions and prevents under-specifying assets that support core material flow.

3. Test Through Demos, Pilots, and Phased Rollouts

Before committing to a full program, validate assumptions with hands-on testing. A supplier demo or short pilot run allows you to confirm load fit, handling compatibility, stack stability, and operator acceptance under real conditions. Small-scale pilots reduce risk, surface design issues early, and provide data to support a confident company-wide rollout rather than relying solely on catalog specifications.

4. Plan for Repairability and Replacement Parts

Containers are assets that will be impacted, scraped, and stressed over time. Evaluate whether panels, doors, runners, latches, or casters can be repaired or replaced in the field rather than scrapping the entire unit. Readily available replacement parts extend service life, reduce downtime, and materially improve total cost of ownership-especially in returnable packaging programs.

5. Align Container Choice with Sustainability Goals

Sustainability is increasingly a procurement and executive priority. Reusable containers reduce waste compared to single-use packaging, while recyclability at end of life supports circular material strategies. Material selection also matters-metal and plastic containers can often be recycled, and longer service life reduces the environmental impact associated with frequent replacement. Sustainability considerations should be evaluated alongside ROI, not treated as a separate decision.

6. Consider the Impact of Auxiliary Handling Equipment

Containers rarely operate in isolation. Evaluate how they interface with auxiliary equipment such as container stackers, tilters, tippers, rotators, and dumpers. Proper alignment between container design and handling equipment improves ergonomics, reduces manual handling, enhances safety, and protects both the container and the product. In many cases, the right auxiliary equipment significantly amplifies the value of the container system and accelerates ROI.