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packaging cornerThe container inquisitionAnswer these 10 questions to find thebest fit for your operation.By Sara Pearson Specter, Editor at LargeIt might appear that Ken Beckerman, president ofFlexcon Container, is in the business of selling reusableplastic totes and bins. But it turns out that he’s really adetective. That’s because when someone calls about buyinga box, he and his sales team ask questions: no fewerthan 10, in fact.“It’s important to ask a lot of questions to narrow theproblem into a solution. We try to get intimate knowledgeof the system that the container is going to berunning on and what the container needs to do so wecan offer options to fit an application perfectly,” Beckermansays. In addition to an option that meets the caller’sspecs, alternatives might be for containers that are lessexpensive, more durable, lighter weight (for more contentcapacity) or save space in the system.This question list includes:1. What will the container do on a typical day?2. Will the container leave your facility?3. How does the container move through the facility?4. If the container rides on a conveyor, what type?Which brand? Are there sensors or gates? Are thereinclines or declines?5. How much weight goes in the container?6. Will the containers go in a freezer or an autoclavesanitization process, or remain at room temperature?7. Is this a temporary solution or a long-terminvestment?8. What other reusable container systems have youseen that you like?9. When do you need the containers?10. What is your budget?Those last two questions are often the most important,Beckerman says. A rush delivery requirement may limitoptions to what’s in stock. Used or overstock containersmight fit tight budgets better than new. And, companieslooking to automate should consider the container inparallel with the system’s development.“As a container guy, I’m definitely the last thing theythink of, but I’ve worked through that,” he quips. “Thereare so many standard totes and containers today, it’s easierto supply the perfect size container than it was even10 years ago. There’s no such thing as a custom containeranymore; it’s very easy to pull standard size tooling fromthe warehouse and make the tote that fits a need, and ina low minimum quantity to make it affordable—just 250to 500 units.”Sara Pearson Specter is an editor at large with Modern andcan be reached at sara@moxiemarketingllc.com.14 F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 2 / Modern Materials Handling mmh.com