Where to Use Edge Protectors (Corner Boards): Practical Places and Industries

Knowing where to use edge protectors (corner boards) helps teams apply the right protection in the right place. These small packaging components appear across many touchpoints in the supply chain—from production lines to retail floors—because damage can happen anywhere goods are handled. This article explores the typical locations and industries where edge protectors are applied, with practical examples and guidance for choosing materials by location.

On the manufacturing floor

Edge protectors are routinely used on production lines where finished goods are boxed and palletized. Typical scenarios include:

• Final assembly lines: Electronics, appliances, and furniture producers add corner boards before strapping to protect delicate corners and ensure pallets remain stable during internal transfers.
• Bulk packaging: Plants packing multiple cartons on a single pallet use corner boards to prevent straps from slicing into boxes and to preserve carton integrity during transit.

In warehouses and distribution centers

Warehouses are high-traffic environments with lots of material handling, so edge protectors are common:

• Receiving docks: To protect goods during cross-docking, temporary storage, and re-palletizing operations.
• Storage racks and bulk stacking: When stacking pallet loads vertically, corner boards help maintain stack shape and distribute compressive forces.
• Fulfillment lines: Multipack pallets and mixed-SKU shipments often need corner protection to keep packages secure through automated conveyors and pick/pack processes.

During transportation and transit

Transport exposes products to vibrations, impacts, and strap tension. Edge protectors are applied in:

• Truck freight: To stabilize pallet loads and prevent strap abrasion during loading and unloading.
• Rail shipments: Extended vibration and shifting in rail cars make edge protection important for heavy or fragile items.
• Ocean containers: For export shipments, corner boards protect against container shifts and the potential of load collapse during rough seas.
• Air freight: High-value or fragile goods shipped by air use light but rigid protectors to avoid corner knocks in handling.

Retail environments

Retail distribution centers and stores use edge protectors to protect display units and to maintain product appearance:

• Store backrooms: Protect pallets that will be moved onto the sales floor.
• In-store displays: Protect promotional stacks from damage during customer interaction and restocking.

Specialty locations

• Construction sites and lumber yards: Wooden or heavy-duty protectors prevent damage to timber, gypsum boards, and metal sheets stored or moved on-site.
• Cold storage: Plastic or moisture-resistant corner boards are preferred in freezers and refrigerated warehouses because cardboard can absorb moisture and weaken.
• Export packing stations: Facilities preparing goods for international shipments often apply heavy-duty protectors and banding to meet carrier and customs requirements.

Industry-specific examples

• Automotive: Parts suppliers use corner boards to secure crates of machined components and to prevent strap damage to precision parts.
• Food and beverage: Beverage pallet packs use corner protectors to keep shrink-wrapped bottles stable and prevent crushing during stacking in distribution centers.
• Glass and ceramics: Manufacturers palletize fragile panes and tiles with double-wall or reinforced corner boards to protect fragile edges.

Choosing materials by location

• Indoor, dry environments: Corrugated cardboard is usually sufficient and cost-effective.
• High humidity or cold storage: Use plastic or treated wood to avoid moisture-related weakening.
• Heavy industrial loads: Solid board, thicker corrugated, or wooden protectors provide necessary strength.
• Export/maritime transport: Consider moisture-resistant and crush-resistant options like plastic or treated wood for long sea voyages.

Practical placement tips

• Always ensure edge protectors extend the full height of the load or cover the area where straps will bear down.
• Combine with proper strapping patterns and stretch film to optimize stability.
• Inspect protectors at each handling point (receiving, staging, shipping) to ensure they remain in position.

In summary, edge protectors are used in many places across the supply chain—manufacturing floors, warehouses, transportation modes, retail environments, and specialized sites like cold stores and export packing stations. Selecting the right protector material and correctly applying it where handling risk is highest will reduce damage, improve safety, and contribute to smoother operations.