The leading Indian granite manufacturers and suppliers offer finished stones as well as pre-fabricated slabs. The pre-fabricated slabs available with the Granite exporters are used exclusively for domestic installations like kitchen counter-tops and interior decor applications. For the exterior applications, the granite exporters offer blocks and slabs that can be fabricated and machined as per the designs at the site itself. All these are possible only when the granite exporters extend full compliance with the transportation services. The granite slabs require extensive handling care.
When it comes to transporting the granite slabs over a long distance, the Granite exporters take special care. Here’s how they manage to do it with ease.
- Use blankets
Granite slabs are heavy and prone to scratches during the transportation. Poor handling can render the granite slabs useless. It could prove very costly. The Indian granite exporters use the simplest and most cost-effective ways to protect the stone from damage. They use regular sheets of blanket and put padding around it. The blanket is fixed over the surface using ratchet straps and ropes. The blanketed granite slabs are then lifted and placed in 2 x 4 boards in the cargo carrier. The ropes keep a tight noose around the blanket and prevent the stone from getting ribbed or fractured during travel. It also prevents the seepage of moisture as the plastic padding keeps the blanket dry.
- Choice of carrier
The mode of transportation is another important aspect of moving the granite tiles across the market. Local logistics allow the use of smaller vehicles if the granite supplier is dealing in small consignments. For overseas consignment, cargo ships are preferred. Airways are not suitable for moving the stones. The granite exporters stick to a standard packaging of 2 x 4 boards to prevent cracking of the granite under their own weight. As a popular choice, the granite slabs are always positioned in a vertical posture in vehicles with an A-frame design.
- Use A-Frame
Granite suppliers use the A-frame for moving the slabs to their destinations. An A-frame supports the counter-tops made of marble or granite. It holds them in a vertical position. The padding keeps the consignment from bouncing. The unpolished surface of the granite slab rests against the wall of the A-frame support. In order to secure the slab to the A-frame tightly, clamps and ratchet straps are employed. Rubber or fiber bushings are used to prevent the clamps from staining or scratching the surface.
- Polished slabs stick to each other
The professional granite suppliers and marble exporters stack the slabs in such a way that the polished sides lie adjacent to each other. The clean surface prevents the scratching of the surface.
- Use sophisticated automated ‘Slab racking’ System
The granite exporters employ sophisticated equipment while unloading the stone slabs from the containers. It is called the ‘Slab racking’ system. It is an alert mechanism that prevents accidents due to crushing or accidental fall of the granite slabs over an operator or handler. More accidents happen while unloading than loading of the granite slabs.
