Cargo that shifts mid-transit creates problems nobody wants: damaged goods, rejected deliveries, safety incidents during unloading. For transport operators and heavy industry shippers across Australia and New Zealand, finding a reliable load restraint supplier sits at the centre of operational risk management. At Ferrier Industrial, we work with teams who move steel coils, sheet packs, mining consumables, and general freight—helping them match restraint solutions to the realities of their routes, vehicles, and handling environments.

This isn’t a category where one-size-fits-all thinking works. Coil restraint demands different engineering than pallet stabilisation. Intermodal containers present constraints that local trucking doesn’t. The right supplier understands those differences and can support you with products, custom builds, and spares continuity over time.

Why Load Restraint Decisions Matter

Every logistics chain carries a handful of points where things can go wrong. Load restraint is one of them—and often, it’s where small gaps in specification or supply create disproportionate consequences.

When restraint equipment doesn’t suit the load type, operators compensate with workarounds: extra strapping, improvised blocking, additional labour. Those workarounds cost time and rarely deliver consistent results. When restraint hardware fails partway through its expected life, replacement scrambles disrupt schedules and budgets. When there’s no clear spares pathway, teams end up holding more inventory than they’d like or running systems past their safe service window.

These issues aren’t always obvious during procurement. A cargo restraint supplier might offer attractive pricing but lack the engineering depth to advise on mixed-load packing or unusual product dimensions. They might stock standard items but struggle to source components when something breaks. They might focus on initial sale without thinking about what happens two years down the track.

For procurement teams evaluating restraint equipment, the supplier relationship matters as much as the product catalogue. You need a partner who understands your operational context, responds when requirements shift, and backs their products with service access over time.

Load Restraint Categories and Applications

At Ferrier Industrial, we supply restraint solutions across several overlapping categories. Understanding what each delivers helps clarify where they fit in your operation.

High-Friction Dunnage forms the foundation of many restraint approaches. Our LVL (laminated veneer lumber) dunnage features vulcanised rubber lining that prevents cargo movement during transport. The high-friction surface grips loads without requiring excessive strapping tension, reducing edge damage risk. We offer multiple grades—packing, engineering, and BWR waterproof—depending on exposure conditions and reuse requirements.

Steel Coil and Sheet Restraint represents a specialised area where we’ve developed deep expertise. Bore vertical coil restraint corners, horizontal restraint equipment, and chain protectors work together to secure heavy steel products in intermodal containers and on truck decks. These systems accommodate varying coil diameters and enable mixed packing within standard container configurations.

Truck Cradles provide stable seating for cylindrical loads. Our vulcanised rubber cradles absorb vibration and prevent roll, with dimensions tailored to common coil sizes. The rubber-to-steel bond holds up under continuous use without the maintenance demands of mechanical alternatives.

Ratchet Strops and Cargo Straps handle tensioning across diverse freight types. We supply high-strength polyester webbing in standard and custom configurations, with hardware rated for heavy loads and weather-resistant finishes suited to outdoor exposure.

Dunnage Airbags fill void spaces in containers and truck bodies, bracing loads against lateral movement. They’re effective for preventing freight shifting during braking and cornering, particularly in mixed-load scenarios where traditional blocking can’t adapt to irregular shapes.

• LVL high-friction dunnage with vulcanised rubber lining in multiple grades
• Coil restraint corners, horizontal equipment, and chain protectors for steel transport
• Vulcanised rubber truck cradles sized for common coil dimensions
• Polyester ratchet strops and cargo straps in standard and custom assemblies
• Dunnage airbags for void-filling in containers and truck bodies
• Load-restraint rubber mats with high static friction coefficients

Restraint Equipment for Heavy Industry Logistics

Steel mills, metal processors, and heavy fabricators face particular restraint challenges. Their products carry substantial weight, often in cylindrical or irregular forms, and damage during transport can mean costly rejection or rework.

We’ve worked with steel producers since the early days of our company, developing restraint approaches that address the full transport chain from mill floor to customer site. That experience shapes how we think about equipment specification.

Bore vertical coil restraint corners illustrate the engineering considerations involved. Ours use five-millimetre CR steel with vulcanised rubber lining, designed for one-g restraint capacity. The winged-hook retaining pin design allows rapid positioning without loose components that could damage product surfaces. Field deployments have run for over a decade with the original equipment still in service.

Chain protectors present another example. When chains secure coil stacks, they can create edge damage if they contact product surfaces directly. Our stainless steel pressings with vulcanised rubber inserts shield those contact points, extending both product condition and chain service life. We can incorporate client branding into the pressing design where that supports asset tracking.

For horizontal coil transport, restraint equipment needs to address different force vectors—forward braking loads rather than vertical settling. Our horizontal systems complement the vertical restraint range, enabling operators to handle varied coil orientations with consistent approaches.

Cargo Restraint Solutions for General Transport

Beyond heavy industry, transport operators handling mixed freight need versatile restraint options that adapt to changing load profiles.

Load-restraint rubber mats provide a straightforward starting point. Placed beneath pallets or between stacked items, they increase surface friction and reduce the strapping tension needed to prevent movement. Our mats deliver static friction coefficients above 0.60, which translates to meaningful stability improvement without complex installation.

Ratchet strops suit applications where adjustable tensioning addresses varying load dimensions. We supply assemblies in multiple lengths and working load ratings, with hardware that withstands outdoor exposure and repeated cycling. Custom configurations—specific lengths, particular hook or fitting types—are straightforward to arrange when standard products don’t quite fit.

Dunnage airbags work well for filling irregular void spaces. In mixed-load containers, they brace freight against movement during transit, reducing damage from shifting without requiring precise blocking cuts for every load profile. They’re particularly useful when load configurations vary frequently and fixed blocking isn’t practical.

Selecting a Load Restraint Supplier: Key Considerations

Choosing among cargo restraint suppliers involves more than comparing product lists. Several factors affect whether a supplier relationship delivers value over time.

Engineering Capability matters when loads don’t fit standard profiles. If a supplier can only offer catalogue items, you’ll struggle when unusual product dimensions or site constraints require modified approaches. Look for suppliers who can discuss load behaviour under transport forces, advise on restraint force calculations, and propose custom solutions when needed.

Supply Continuity becomes critical when restraint equipment fails or wears out. If replacement components require extended lead times or are simply unavailable, your operation absorbs the consequences. A load restraint supplier with consignment stock programmes and spares access reduces that risk.

Quality Assurance affects product reliability. Ask about incoming inspection, traceability on critical components, and validation against relevant standards. For steel transport, alignment with mill engineering specifications provides additional confidence.

Customisation Pathways enable you to adapt products to your operation rather than adapting your operation to products. Dimension changes, material variations, branding, and interface modifications should all be within reach.

Serviceability Approach indicates whether the supplier thinks beyond initial sale. Can equipment be repaired? Are wearing components accessible? Does the supplier support ongoing maintenance?

• Engineering depth for custom specifications and load-specific advice
• Consignment and JIT stock programmes for supply continuity
• QA systems with incoming inspection and component traceability
• Customisation at dimension, material, closure, and branding levels
• Clear serviceability and spares pathways for lifecycle support
• Local presence for responsive technical assistance

How We Approach Load Restraint at Ferrier Industrial

At Ferrier Industrial, our process starts with understanding your operational context. We ask about load types, route profiles, vehicle configurations, site constraints, and what’s created problems in the past. That discovery shapes which products suit your situation and whether custom modifications would deliver better outcomes.

From there, we move into design and prototyping where needed. For standard products, this might mean confirming dimensions and specifications. For custom builds, we’ll develop drawings, produce samples, and work through fit-checks against your equipment and handling systems.

Pilot deployments let us validate performance before full rollout. We track how products hold up under actual operating conditions, gather operator feedback, and make adjustments if something isn’t working as expected.

Once solutions are proven, we scale supply to match your volumes. Our JIT and consignment stock programmes reduce the inventory you need to hold while ensuring availability when you need it. Our Auckland and New South Wales facilities support customers across Australia and New Zealand, with manufacturing relationships extending to international partners for specialised items.

As a load restraint supplier committed to long-term relationships, we maintain spares access and technical support throughout product lifecycles. When restraint equipment needs replacement components or service, we’re positioned to respond without extended delays.

Practical Steps for Procurement Teams

If you’re evaluating restraint equipment options, a structured approach helps ensure you end up with solutions that fit your operation.

Start by documenting your load profiles. What products do you move? What are their dimensions, weights, and shapes? How do they respond to transport forces? Understanding load characteristics guides which restraint approaches apply.

Review your vehicle and container fleet. Restraint equipment needs to interface with tie-down points, deck surfaces, and container fittings. Note any constraints—irregular floor surfaces, limited access points, height restrictions—that affect what’s practical.

Assess your current restraint approach. What’s working? What creates problems? Where do operators rely on workarounds? Existing pain points often reveal specification gaps that better equipment could address.

Consider lifecycle factors, not just purchase price. Products that last longer, require less maintenance, and have accessible spares often deliver better value than lower-cost alternatives that need frequent replacement.

• Document load types, dimensions, weights, and transport force sensitivities
• Map vehicle and container interfaces including tie-down points and access constraints
• Identify current restraint gaps and operator workarounds
• Evaluate lifecycle costs including durability, maintenance, and spares access
• Request samples or pilot quantities to validate performance before full rollout

Moving Forward

Finding the right load restraint supplier means finding a partner who understands your loads, supports you with appropriate products and custom solutions, and stands behind what they provide over time. It’s not just about catalogue breadth—it’s about engineering depth, supply reliability, and genuine service commitment.

At Ferrier Industrial, we’ve been working with transport operators and heavy industry shippers since the late eighties. We’ve seen what works and what creates problems. We’ve refined our products based on real operational feedback, and we’ve built supply systems that keep our customers running without unnecessary inventory or lead time surprises.

If you’re looking for restraint solutions—whether standard products or engineered approaches for unusual challenges—we’re happy to discuss your requirements. Share your load profiles and site constraints, and we’ll advise on what might suit. Request drawings or samples where that helps your evaluation. Arrange a site review if on-ground assessment would clarify options.

Our team is here to help you move cargo safely and efficiently.