Industrial plastic totes and containers
Handling and distribution containers for line-side, supply chain and in-plant manufacturing applications
Plastic tote boxes are incredibly versatile and suitable for improving your handling operations (speed, efficiency, and safety), maximising storage space, and reducing distribution costs.
There is also a wide range of configurable options available across a vast range of designs – including large tote boxes, stackable tote boxes, attached lid containers, and more. You can also choose specific sizes (or standard Euro container dimensions), colours and print. Insert options, such as plastic dividers or foam dunnage, are also available. This array of options allows you to specify an industrial tote box perfectly tailored to your specific application.
Tote box inserts
Dividers, pads, foam inserts and other options to enhance your industrial plastic containers
Besides the range of tote box options available, you can also choose from a wide range of insert options. These can help improve protection for your products, make handling and loading more efficient, and maximise storage space and transit efficiency.
More info on plastic tote boxes
Why choosing the correct industrial plastic storage and handling containers is important
Many businesses pay little attention to their tote boxes or returnable packaging. But this is a mistake.
There are three key benefits of selecting suitable plastic totes for your business. In no particular order, these are efficiency gains, improving part/component protection, and maximising available storage space.
Improving efficiency
Using the right tote boxes can significantly impact the efficiency and productivity of your operations.
For starters, selecting correctly sized tote boxes can allow you to move and transport the optimum number of parts or components. A suitable size can factor in how many items fit in the tote and how easy it is for your staff to handle them manually (or ensure they are within the parameters of any automatic handling systems you use).
The stacking feature of most tote boxes also means more parts and components can be available within the storage totes on assembly lines or other parts of your production facility.
And finally, using tote box inserts and dividers can also improve efficiency, making loading and unloading much more effortless.
Part and product protection
Besides efficiency, however, when used with dividers and inserts, tote boxes can also help prevent damage to your parts or products.
For example, divider sets minimise movement of the contents during handling or distribution, reducing damage (as your parts and products do not collide with each other).
These divider sets – and similar foam inserts – can also help prevent scratching and surface marring of polished, painted, or decorative surfaces (for example, many components used for automotive interiors).
Not being able to overload the totes (as well as improving safety for your employees) also means that items are much less likely to be damaged by mishandling.
Plastic tote storage
Of course, using tote boxes can also help to maximise the available storage space that you have. Better use of space can allow you to store more products, parts, and components or have more ready to be assembled on your production lines.
Similarly, if you are using your totes for distribution (i.e. as returnable transit packaging), you can also see these benefits in regard to your transport costs. Effectively, it allows you to ship the maximum number of parts or products in a single shipment. This benefit can positively impact CO2 emissions too.
Using the optimum tote containers can significantly reduce overall costs and enhance productivity.
Tote box FAQs
Frequently asked questions regarding tote boxes
Please see the following section for what are (arguably) the most commonly asked questions regarding tote boxes and industrial plastic containers.
However, if you are still looking for the specific info you require, please feel free to get in touch. You can reach a knowledgeable, friendly advisor on 01793 754 457 or by emailing correx@gwp.co.uk.
What does tote mean (in manufacturing or logistics)?
A tote typically refers to a plastic container or box (open or with a lid) you use for handling, storage, or transporting items. Usually manufactured from moulded plastic or Correx®, tote boxes are widespread in manufacturing operations and distribution for industrial parts, finished components, and products.
What is the difference between a tote and a bin?
Although the use changes by industry, there can be some confusion over the terms “tote box” and “tote bin”. Tote boxes are typically a container (often with a lid) used for transporting and handling items. On the other hand, bins usually have an open front to allow items to be easily removed (such as picking bins).
Are tote boxes available in different colours?
Generally, moulded plastic containers and custom Correx® totes can be sourced or manufactured in several different colours. Whilst the apparent benefit of this is to match your brand identity, you can also use different colours to differentiate between product types, batch numbers, stages in production, and various other applications. This approach is beneficial where a quick visual check could improve productivity or organisation.
Can my totes have logos and branding added?
You can specify printing to add branding and logos to your tote boxes, giving your business a presence throughout the supply chain (effectively free advertising at suppliers’ or customers’ premises). Besides this, you can use print to add part numbers, special handling instructions and other information that may aid your employees.
Are there options for tote boxes with lids?
Tote boxes with lids effectively protect your items during transit and handling. The lids stop the ingress of dust and other particles and offer a degree of protection against moisture and liquids. Another benefit is that lids can prevent the “over-loading” of totes (stopping damage to the contents and ensuring safe handling practices).
Should I use tote box dividers?
Dividers can – and frequently should – be added to virtually any heavy-duty container or multi-trip packaging product. They can help minimise damage by preventing the movement of parts in transit. They can aid manual stock checking through quick visual checks. They can assist production operatives by allowing them to retrieve items more quickly from inside. And they also improve shipping and handling efficiency by allowing you to get more parts safely into an outer tote.
How can I protect the surfaces of parts and products when inside the totes?
You can use specialist materials, such as Plastazote® foam and Bubble-board divisions, to help prevent surface scuffing and scratches. Inserts and dunnage of this type can be particularly useful for items that are highly polished, painted, or have decorative surfaces (and are therefore widely used in returnable packaging for automotive).
I have awkward shaped items – can I buy very large tote boxes?
Whilst the moulded euro containers are only available in a range of industry-standard sizes, custom Correx® tote boxes allow you to specify them to almost any size and shape. This flexibility makes them a perfect solution for nonstandard components, parts, or assemblies. However, you must consider the weight and ease of handling.
Are there stackable tote boxes?
The majority of both Correx® totes and Euro containers incorporate a stacking rim or corners. This feature allows for much more efficient storage and transit, although it can mean storing empty totes takes up more space than collapsible options (which typically do not stack).
Buy plastic tote boxes
Expertise and experience in industrial plastic containers and other multi-trip packaging design
GWP have been manufacturing tote boxes and other forms of multi-trip packaging for more than 25 years.
This experience – coupled with the wide range of alternative packaging products (including foam, corrugated and ESD-safe items) also available from GWP – offers your business several distinct advantages.
Firstly, you can source the most comprehensive range of packaging and handling products from a single source. Doing so minimises your admin, allows you to take advantage of economies of scale, and improves the compatibility of the various products you source.
Secondly, it also means that – should you require it – you can benefit from genuinely impartial advice on the best solution for your business. GWP aims to provide you with several options and recommendations based on what you are trying to achieve.
And finally, an experienced design department is on hand to create custom returnable packaging for your specific products, environment, industry, or application. A team of customer service advisers guide you through every step of the process.
If you are looking for multi-trip packaging that could significantly impact your business, please speak with one of the experts at GWP.
On this page
All tote box options
Inserts and dividers
All storage and handling
Related guides and articles
Quotes, technical info and advice
Speak with our UK-based Correx® experts

Fiona Churchward
Product Adviser
correx@gwp.co.uk
01793 754 457

Brenda Plinta
Sales Coordinator
correx@gwp.co.uk
01793 754 457

Emily Parker
General Manager
correx@gwp.co.uk
01793 754 444

01793 754 457
Mon – Fri 08.30 – 17.00

correx@gwp.co.uk
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