Why is containerization so important to manufacturers who export goods?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The container is such a normal part of the world around us that imagining a world
where containers did not exist is diffi cult. The world of manufacturing has embraced
containerization for many reasons. One of them is because products are loaded at the
factory and not disturbed until they are unpacked at their destination greatly increases
security. This greatly reduces the cost of shipping since the items do not have to be
off -loaded at the port so they can then be loaded in the hold of a ship.
Students will be familiar with these large boxes often seen on trucks on the interstate
highways, but may not have a good idea why they are so benefi cial and cost-eff ective
for the shipper of goods. It might be useful to undertake a simple exercise to
demonstrate the role a container plays.
You will need to borrow a large box of bathroom hand towels from the
custodian. Ask for the large packing case that contains the multiple small
packs of hand towels. Once you have the large box in your room, open
the box and remove one bundle of hand towels.
Arrange six tables across the room, label the fi rst table “Manufacturer,”
the second “Shipper,” the third “Rail depot,” the fourth “Port rail head,”
the fi fth “Dock side,” and the sixth “Ship’s hold.” Pull out approximately 30
hand towels (leave the wrapping band intact so you can put them back
after the exercise). Place the towels on the Manufacturer table and have
the students take the towels one at a time to the fi rst table. Take them
in bundles of fi ve to the second table, then in a bundle of 30 to the third
table, then in bundles of fi ve to the fourth table, then one at a time to the
fi fth table, and then in bundles of fi ve to the sixth table. Once they have
gone through the exercise with the towels, have them place the large
towel box on table one. Have them move the box from table to table until
they get to sixth table (Ship’s hold). This might help them see how the
containerization reduces handling, cuts costs, and reduces the risk of theft.