Founded in 1890, Hansen Bros. Moving & Storage the parent company of Portabox has successfully weathered many history-changing events including the Great Seattle Fire, WWI, the Spanish Flu of 1918, the Great Depression, WWII, the 2008 recession, and 9/11 among many other public crises. We are taking the current COVID-19 threat very seriously and will promptly adhere to any and all directives from local, state and federal government officials. Hansen Bros. and Portabox have been categorized as an essential industry business (moving & relocation) within the current mandate established by Washington State Governor Jay Inslee.

As essential services, we will maintain normal operations until such time as either company management determines we must close our offices or we are directed to do so by a governmental authority. We are taking extensive precautionary measures including the adoption of all CDC guidelines and the establishment of our own policies intended to minimize health risks for all customers, employees, contractors, vendors, and community stakeholders. We are proud to be able to support the needs of our customers during this crucial time but are prepared to quickly change course as required.

Stay safe together with Hansen Bros. and Portabox

The COVID-19 crisis is fluid and there are many uncertainties and factors outside of our control that may, with little or no advance notice, impact our delivery of moving & storage services. Please be aware the current crisis could potentially result in small inconveniences such as a delayed project start time or significant inconveniences such as the complete rescheduling of services.

Although there are many unknowns to be navigated, you can be certain that Hansen Bros. and Portabox will be timely and transparent in our communications regarding servicing your moving & storage needs, and our professional relocation consultants will work diligently to offer creative solutions in the event your project is impacted by the current health crisis.

Steps We're Taking:

  • Company-wide Implementation of all precautionary measures recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
  • Office staff and crews are being monitored daily for symptoms and/or known exposure by management and asked to go home, contact their healthcare provider, and self-quarantine as directed. Staff that experience symptoms and/or aware of exposure when not at work have been directed to stay home and notify their supervisor.
  • Office staff and crews are receiving daily briefings on precautionary measures and have been directed to follow them on and off the job.
  • Office staff and crews are being instructed to maintain appropriate “social distance” of 6 feet minimum between one another, customers, and all other people.
  • Office staff and crews are being provided with appropriate hand sanitizer and surface disinfecting supplies. They have been directed to disinfect truck cabs and moving equipment between each move to the best of their ability. These supplies will continue to be replenished as we are able, based on availability from retailers.
  • We are limiting visitation to our branch offices. If you wish to purchase moving boxes or supplies, please simply call in your order and we will happily deliver to your vehicle outside.

We are all in this together.  The team at Hansen Bros. and Portabox is proud to continue offering our services in accordance with the necessary precautions outlined above. We are here to make the process of storing belongings seamless & safe for you.

Shipping Tips for Washington Businesses

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If you have recently opened a business in Washington, you might be new to many things, shipping included. If you produce and sell your product via an online shop, you might not be too familiar with shipping tips and hacks. Worry not, because PortaBox Storage is here to help! These tips will help you prepare and safely ship your products with little to no effort. Although these tips will facilitate new business owners, they can also benefit those expanding their already-existing businesses. Our shipping tips for Washington businesses are universal for any city and country and can help you regardless of the industry you work in!

Use quality packing supplies and clever packing techniques

When shipping a package, it’s important to secure it as much as possible. Getting quality packing supplies is not enough. You will need to use safe shipping techniques. One of the best techniques is called the H-tape method, which is used for properly closing a package to prevent it from opening mid-shipment. This method suggests applying the tape along all the open seams of the box when closing it. This will make an H shape across the top surface of the box. If you have an irregularly shaped box, always apply tape along any open seams when closing it.

A retail store that applied shipping tips for Washington businesses
Using quality supplies ensures safe shipment.

When you are preparing your package, the tape you use makes a huge difference. Use reinforced plastic or paper tape designed for parcels. Avoid using cellophane tape and duct tape since they are not strong enough. Adhesive tape is also not recommended since it’s very weak and can cause your boxes to open mid-shipment. And never use string or cord to seal packages since that can lead to potential damage to the goods.

Using Shipping Tips for Washington Businesses

Sometimes a regular box doesn’t work, especially with a very fragile object. Two boxes, one box within a box, provide double protection. To start, wrap the product with bubble wrap. Put the item in a box and use crumpled newspapers or packing peanuts to limit the movement inside the box. Limiting movement is very important in preventing potential damage. After doing so, place the first box in a second box, which should be at least six inches longer, wider, and taller than the first box. You should also use some packing peanuts and crumpled newspapers to make some sort of padding between the two boxes. Only then will your package be safe for sending to inventory storage Seattle or your customers.

Special products require special packing supplies

Many businesses in Washington offer special products, and some of them include baked products and other foods. Shipping food is not unusual and learning how to ship your food is essential for your business growth and customer satisfaction. The first step in shipping food is choosing the right type of supplies. In general, foods with filling and fruits are tricky to ship. Non-fried pies, muffins, dark cookies, cooked meals, and fresh fruits work best. Treats like cakes, candy or brownies should be shipped in disposable aluminum containers to protect them from going bad.

A bunch of make up
The best shipping tips for Washington businesses include investing in quality packing supplies and shipment preparations.

If you are shipping fragile items such as anything made from glass, one of the best shipping tips for Washington businesses is to use as many packing supplies as necessary. Wrap it with several layers of bubble wrap before proceeding with the packing. Some products and materials can be damaged due to high temperatures, such as:

  • Nail polish
  • Any canned goods
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Some makeup

If you plan on shipping temperature-sensitive items, you must pack them in special containers, where they will be safe from the heat. Keep in mind that only products that are not sensitive to temperature change should be stored in Seattle mini storage containers.

Be careful when planning the shipment and invest in an inventory tracking system

If you plan to ship packages and have a short span to get them there (such as on holidays), planning is something you should consider. For example, if you are shipping something to another country, check local and international holiday times before shipping your package. If you do not do so, there might be delays which can impact your business in a negative way. Delays in the USA mostly occur on Thanksgiving, Christmas, Labor Day, and Independence Day, when most post offices and couriers are overworked and understaffed. An essential part of planning your shipment, whether it’s going straight to a customer or into self storage Marysville WA is to be aware of these holiday delays in advance.

Another thing to consider is managing your stock. The best way to have a clear vision of your stock status is by investing in a small business inventory tracking system. By doing so, you will easily control current stock, incoming and outgoing stock, analytics of your current stock, track supplies to manage your stock level, and make your job much easier.

Two women looking at papers and going through shipping tips for Washington businesses
A good tracking inventory system can be helpful for middle-sized businesses.

Apply our shipping tips for Washington businesses timely

To manage a successful business, you need to know some tips and tricks, especially regarding shipment. The best shipping tips for Washington businesses include using quality supplies and clever packing techniques, which can help you secure the package and prepare it for a trouble-free shipment. Keep in mind that everything you use must align with the type of products you offer. You only need to use packing supplies that will be useful to the products you are shipping. For example, you cannot send food in regular cardboard boxes. You also need to be careful when planning the shipment time, especially around the holidays, when delays are pretty regular. Lastly, investing in a small business inventory tracking system will benefit you in managing incoming, outcoming, or current stock information.

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