The Benefits of Using Vented FIBC Bulk Bags For Firewood Storage And Delivery

If you’re in the firewood business as a high-volume manufacturer or a small homesteader, you know how important it is to streamline your processes. From seasoning wood to handling and delivering it, each step takes time and labor. That is where flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC) come in to save valuable time and effort.

Made from flexible fabric, FIBC bags offer much more than just a storage solution, they can save you time, reduce labor costs, improve firewood quality and simplify your delivery process. In the United States alone, the use of FIBC bags has increased so much that the industry is set to be worth $11.5 billion by 2035. Let’s explore the benefits of using bulk material FIBC bags and why they’re growing in popularity.

What Are FIBC Bulk Bags?

Flexible intermediate bulk containers are large, durable bags designed to store and transport materials in bulk. In the wood industry, FIBC bulk bags (sometimes called FIBC tote bags or firewood tote bags) are specifically designed with vented sides and bases to provide airflow, making them ideal for seasoning and storing firewood. They are also sized to hold standardized volumes of firewood such as face cords (1/6 cord) or half face cords (1/3 cord). 

Unlike repurposing other large bulk bags, firewood-specific FIBC bags offer:

• Increased UV protection for outdoor storage
• Strong lifting loops for easy transportation
• Full ventilation on all sides and bottom to maximize airflow for even drying
• Dumping provisions for quick unloading
• Top duffle ties to secure wood in transit

To test our lineup of firewood FIBC bags, order a sample pack today.

Daily Benefits Of Using FIBC Bags In Your Firewood Business

Reduce Labor And Save Time

One of the biggest reasons firewood producers make the switch to FIBC bulk bags is to cut down on labor costs. Consider how many times each piece of firewood is handled - splitting, stacking, moving, and restacking. The time and labor add up quickly.

With FIBC bags you can easily: 

• Split firewood directly into the bag
• Move and stage the bags for seasoning
• Transport firewood easily

By reducing the number of times you handle the firewood, you’re not only saving time but you’re also minimizing the physical strain required. For commercial firewood producers, this results in higher productivity and lower labor costs which results in increased profits.

With some time freed up you could increase your production volume, finally get to some of those other projects, or crack open a cold one and admire your work. Maybe all three if you are really motivated!

Improve Firewood Quality With Better Seasoning

Seasoning is the process of drying your firewood once it’s been cut to reduce the moisture content to less than 20%. This occurs in two primary stages. Free water is released first, with the bound water within the cell structure taking much longer. Both stages benefit from increased air flow when using FIBC firewood tote bags. Even seasoning is vital to producing high-quality firewood. Traditional methods, such as stacking large piles, often result in uneven drying; the outer layers dry quickly but the center of the pile may stay damp for months. 

Face cord bulk firewood bags solve this problem by:

• Guaranteeing all wood is within 20 inches of open air to allow for faster and more even drying.
• Creating a chimney effect through the vented bases that allow airflow from underneath, speeding up the drying process.
• Keeping firewood off the ground by placing the bags onto pallets to prevent moisture absorption from the ground below.

You’ll have a much quicker seasoning time plus perfectly seasoned firewood that is ready to burn - your customers will be coming back for more!

Side Note: We surveyed several of our largest and most quality focused producers to determine if our face cord firewood bags should include rain covers as an option. Users reported uncovered bags were a better solution as they did not trap condensation which can occur with tarping or covered bags. While we do offer FIBC rain covers to fit our bags, we recommend using them after the free water has been released through partial seasoning.

Take Control Of Your Inventory

If you’ve ever tried to estimate how much firewood is in a loosely stacked pile you’ll know that it’s a guessing game at best! With FIBC bulk packaging bags, keeping track of your inventory is much simpler.

By using FIBC bulk bags you can:

• Count your bags, rather than estimating the volume of firewood piles, so you know exactly how much firewood you have ready to sell.
• Separate your firewood by wood type into individual bags. You can even implement a color-coded tagging system with different colors for different species, customers, or end uses.
• Manage custom orders with ease with your quantity and color-coded systems

A clear inventory management system means fewer problems during your busy season and it allows for better planning and system implementation for your next production cycle.

Flexible Delivery Options

Delivery can be one of the most time-consuming aspects of the firewood business. Thankfully, FIBC bags offer various solutions for transporting firewood to your customers. 

How to use FIBC bulk bags for delivery:

• Loose bulk delivery: Simply empty the bag into a trailer or truck using the bottom discharge loops. Keep the bag for reuse.
• Truck loading: Load the whole bag into a customer’s vehicle. You can choose to charge for the bag or collect a deposit that will be refunded upon return of the bag.
• Full bag drop off: Deliver an entire bag directly to the customer’s home or workplace using a pallet jack or liftgate. Use a pallet jack to move firewood into your customer’s garage.
• Wholesale delivery: Supply retail vendors such as garden centers or hardware stores who can unload the bags using their equipment. 

These options will not only save you time and effort but also offer an added level of convenience for your customers. Your business benefits by standing out from your competitors, while at the same time improving your operational efficiency.

Calculate Your Labor Costs

Calculating the potential benefit is an easy, straightforward process. Start by considering how many times (touch points) you currently handle your wood, tally up the time per volume produced and apply a labor rate. The total labor cost may surprise you.

Time Per Volume Produced x Labour Rate = Total Cost

Are FIBC Bags Right For Your Wood Business?

If you’re still stacking your wood by hand or struggling with uneven seasoning, it’s time to make the switch to FIBC bulk bags. Vented bags offer a much more efficient solution for storing, seasoning, and delivering firewood. By changing over to FIBC bags, you can cut your labor costs by reducing how often you handle each individual piece of wood and you’ll have improved firewood quality as it has been thoroughly dried thanks to better airflow. Keeping on top of your inventory will be much simpler after switching to FIBC bulk tote bags for firewood and you’ll even have streamlined your delivery service which will make for an overall better customer experience. If you’re ready to improve your customer service, cut down your overall costs and have better quality firewood, explore our range or get in touch with us today for bulk orders.