What Is a Gaylord Box?

Have you heard the term Gaylord box and thought, “What in the world is that”? Don’t worry! You’re not alone. The term Gaylord box is commonly used in the shipping industry and has evolved over the years from being just one type of box to being a term that encompasses a range of box products.

Simply put, a Gaylord box is basically a bulk-size corrugated box. Traditionally, Gaylord boxes are large or bulk size and allow for the shipment of products in a large, single container or on a pallet.

The name “Gaylord box” has evolved into a generic term for any pallet-sized box for bulk shipping of storage. The term Gaylord is a trade name for this type of box since the first bulk bins that were manufactured in North American were by the Gaylord Container Company; thus, the name. Similarly to how we say “Kleenex®” for a tissue and “Band-Aid®” for an adhesive bandage, the name stuck, and corrugated boxes were known as Gaylord boxes.

Today, the Gaylord box is synonymous with large corrugated boxes. You may also hear these containers referred to as pallet containers, bulk boxes, pallet boxes, bulk bins, skid boxes, and tote boxes.

Gaylord Box Uses and Benefits

Gaylord boxes offer a number of benefits to manufacturers, retailers, and consumers. For one, they are strong, heavy boxes that can handle just about anything placed within them. However, Gaylord boxes are not meant to be used and reused over and over again. They are designed for single-use. The good news is they are completely recyclable. The corrugated material not only makes the boxes inexpensive to manufacture and to use, they also present an eco-friendly solution.

Gaylord boxes are mainly used for shipping, storage, and moving, though they are also used for display purposes. Just one trip around your local grocery store, and you’ll likely see fresh produce or bagged products displayed in Gaylord boxes.

What makes Gaylord boxes perfect for a variety of uses is due to how they are made. Gaylord boxes are made of corrugated cardboard. Corrugated cardboard is a stiff, strong, and lightweight material made up of three layers of brown Kraft paper. This type of paper resists tearing, splitting, and bursting. During the production process, the Kraft paper is crimped and glued to form corrugated cardboard, which is then cut and folded to make boxes. The result is a box that is durable, impact and tear resistant, and flexible. An extra benefit: The use of corrugated cardboard makes them inexpensive and easy to replace.

Types of Gaylord Boxes

As the term Gaylord box has evolved into a generic term for any pallet-sized box, there are several different types of boxes sold in a variety of sizes. Gaylord boxes are available in single, double, or triple-wall construction made with corrugated paper.

They all fit onto a pallet, making them perfect to use for shipping and storage. The two main sizes are D Containers and E Containers.

D Container

D Container bulk cargo boxes are heavy-duty Double Wall fiberboard containers with a lid. The internal dimensions measure 58”x42”45” and have an approximate weight capacity of 1,200 lbs.  In order to reduce shipping costs, the boxes are shipped flat and come disassembled in four parts. They are extremely easy to assemble and do not require glue or staples. Just simply connect the four parts, and they’re ready to use.

Closeup image of pleat cardboard row at factory

The D Container boxes are also available with a pallet, making them even easier to use and ship. The heat-treated stamped pallet has dimensions of 60” x 44” x 95” and an estimated weight of 765 pounds. Each pallet can hold a maximum of 15 Gaylord boxes.

E Container

An E Container bulk cargo box is a large corrugated box, with internal dimensions of 41.25” x 28.25” x 24.25”. They are constructed of Heavy-Duty 275# bursting strength Double Wall fiberboard/cardboard.

Conclusion

A Gaylord box is a great item to use for shipping, storage, and moving. Made to be durable and economical, they are extremely versatile and provide a perfect solution for shipping and storage tasks.

Building gaylord box diagram

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