Crating and Rigging: Protecting Commercial Kitchen Equipment in Transit

The single biggest cause of damaged restaurant equipment in transit is not the road — it is inadequate packing. Commercial kitchen equipment is top-heavy, full of glass and thin stainless panels, and rarely designed to be moved once installed. Proper crating and rigging is what separates a clean delivery from a costly claim.

Why standard freight fails restaurant equipment

General LTL freight treats a reach-in cooler the same as a pallet of boxes. Forklift punctures, stacked freight, and hard braking on a rigid trailer are all it takes to dent a door or crack a compressor line. Equipment-specific freight uses air-ride suspension and load bars to isolate delicate units from shock.

Custom crating for oversized and fragile units

For hoods, glass-door merchandisers, and oversized ranges, we build custom wooden crates engineered around the exact dimensions of the unit. Moving blankets and stretch wrap protect the finish, while internal bracing keeps doors and shelves from shifting.

Rigging heavy equipment safely

Walk-in panels, combi ovens, and three-compartment sinks often weigh more than a pallet jack can handle. Our rigging crews use skates, stair climbers, and liftgates to move heavy equipment through tight doorways, down stairs, and onto the truck without damaging the unit or the building.

Every load carries full-value cargo insurance, and additional valuation is available on request. Questions about a tricky move? Call (866) 216-7742.