UFP Packaging has introduced two new industrial crate systems designed for nail-gun-free assembly, expanding its growing portfolio of pneumatic-free solutions.
The company announced the debut of Slot-Lock and Clamp-Lock 100, building on the earlier launch of its U-Loc 200 system in 2025. The new additions are intended to improve workplace safety and streamline assembly by eliminating the need for nail and staple guns in crate construction. This shift reflects broader trends in industrial wood packaging and workplace safety initiatives.
“Even in mature markets like crating, innovation can meaningfully improve how work gets done,” said Robert Bilbrough, director of product development. He added that the company is focused on developing solutions that enhance safety, efficiency, and employee satisfaction within manufacturing environments.
Slot-Lock is a closed-style crate system that uses CNC-routed interlocking panels secured with strapping. It is positioned for applications requiring higher levels of protection, including aerospace and defense components, medical technology equipment, and sensitive electronics.
Clamp-Lock 100, by contrast, is an open-style crate that incorporates patent-pending steel L-bracket fasteners designed for hand application during assembly. The system is aimed at commercial equipment, building materials, and infrastructure-related shipments.
Both systems are designed to meet safety requirements without compromising strength or durability. UFP Packaging noted that each crate can be disassembled without damaging components, supporting reuse and reducing material waste over time, aligning with growing interest in reusable transport packaging solutions.
The newly introduced systems join U-Loc 200, an open-style crate that uses patented polyamide fasteners applied and removed by hand. That system has been used in applications such as automotive components and heavy machinery.
UFP Packaging said its in-house engineering and design teams can customize configurations across all three systems, allowing customers to tailor crate designs to specific product and handling requirements. Readers can explore more about the company’s broader capabilities on the UFP Packaging hub.
The launch reflects continued innovation in industrial crating, where safety considerations, labor efficiency, and reusability are becoming more prominent alongside traditional performance criteria.
Rick LeBlanc, EMBA, is the founder and editor of Reusable Packaging News (subscribe to the free newsletter) and editor of Western Pallet Magazine. A supply chain journalist with more than 30 years of experience, he specializes in pallets, reusable packaging, material handling and related operations. Rick is co-author of Pallets: A North American Perspective and Pallets & Progress: A Collected History of Pallets and Palletized Handling 1922–1945. He is also an advisory board member of the Virginia Tech Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design. Read Rick’s full bio.
