What Sure Express Worldwide does

Sure Express Worldwide, founded in 1997 and headquartered in Portland, Maine, is a privately held custom crating, packaging, and shipping company serving both commercial and residential customers across the United States and select international destinations. The company specializes in building custom wooden crates and protective packaging solutions for high-value, fragile, and oversized items, targeting verticals that include fine art and antiques, auction logistics, museums and galleries, medical equipment, aerospace and defense, technology and electronics, heavy machinery, and residential moves. The firm employs between 11 and 50 people from a single Maine facility and derives most of its revenue from New England, with outbound international shipments most frequently routed to England, France, and China.

The company's core technology centers on physical packaging engineering rather than software. Proprietary capabilities include ISPM 15 heat-treated wooden crates for international export compliance, MIL-STD-2073-1 compliant packaging for military and government customers, anti-static (ESD) and moisture-vapor barrier packaging for sensitive electronics, and block-and-brace cushioning systems using polyethylene and polyurethane foams tuned to shock, vibration, and drop analysis. The firm complements crating with white-glove blanket-wrap delivery via air-ride suspension trucks operated by two-person teams, full ocean container shipping for export, and full-coverage cargo insurance. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time custom crating jobs and project-based pickup, delivery, and logistics services, with ancillary income from insurance premiums, short-term warehousing, and consolidation. All pricing is bespoke and quote-based, sized to item dimensions, weight, fragility, value, shipping mode, and destination.

The go-to-market motion is sales-led and direct: customers reach the company via toll-free phone (800-335-9996), local phone (207-797-3096), email ([email protected], [email protected]), or an online contact form, and receive custom quotes rather than fixed price tiers. Sure Express has cultivated a strong referral pipeline anchored by auction houses (Christie's, Thomaston's Auction House), furniture manufacturers (Thomas Moser), museums (Maine State Museum, Brickstone Store Museum), and a working collaboration with Swiss international mover Jost and Settelen. Phil Sher is listed as President. The firm is privately held with no disclosed parent, subsidiaries, or institutional investors, and shows no evidence of digital marketing campaigns, social media presence, or external capital.

Name

Sure Express Worldwide

Legal name

Sure Express Worldwide, Inc.

Website

https://sureexpress.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sure Express Worldwide is a Maine-based custom crating, packaging, and shipping company that builds ISPM 15 certified wooden crates and specialized protective packaging for high-value, fragile, and oversized items across commercial, military, medical, aerospace, and residential customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Crating & Shipping Services

NAICS

Packing and Crating (488991), Wood Container and Pallet Manufacturing (321920), Couriers and Express Delivery Services (4921)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Custom Crating & Export-Grade Packaging (HSAKADAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

International Packing, Export Crating & Containerization (HSAKACAB), Assembly, Installation & In-Home Setup Services (White-Glove Add-On) (TLAAAKAJ)

Keywords

• Custom crating services
• Specialty packaging
• White glove delivery
• International freight forwarding
• Art antique shipping

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Custom Crating and Packaging Services: One-time custom crate fabrication and professional packing services. Each crate is custom-built to specifications of the item being shipped. Pricing varies based on item size, weight, dimensions, fragility, value, and destination.
2. Pickup and Delivery Services: On-site pickup of items, transport to warehouse for packing/crating, and final delivery to destination. White glove delivery service with blanket wrapping available.
3. Shipping and Logistics: Domestic and international shipping via land (truck), air freight, and ocean freight. Full ocean containers available for export. Includes customs clearance paperwork assistance.
4. Insurance Coverage: Full coverage cargo insurance and limited liability (lost only) insurance offered on shipments. Coverage applies from pickup through packing, crating, and delivery based on declared value.
5. Warehousing and Consolidation: Short-term comprehensive warehousing and consolidation services. State-of-the-art facilities for storing items until final delivery.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Sure Express Worldwide designs and fabricates custom wooden crates and protective packaging for high-value, fragile, and oversized items, then arranges domestic and international shipping of those items. Services span on-site pickup, professional packing, MIL-STD and ISPM 15 compliant crating, white-glove blanket-wrap delivery, and air/ocean freight with customs clearance support. The company serves commercial, military, government, and residential customers along the U.S. East Coast with worldwide shipping reach.

Product overview

Sure Express Worldwide is a Maine-based custom crating, packaging, and shipping company founded in 1997, offering a comprehensive suite of logistics services for both commercial and residential clients. The core offerings center on Custom Crating (IPPC/ISPM 15 certified wooden crates) and Custom Packaging services, which form the foundation of all shipping solutions. These core services are enhanced by specialized offerings including White Glove Service for premium deliveries, International Shipping (air and ocean freight), and Ocean Shipping for export-only international cargo. The company serves diverse industry verticals through dedicated solutions: Business Commercial Crating (IT, telecom, aerospace, bio-tech, heavy machinery), Medical Equipment Shipping, Technology Equipment Shipping, and Heavy Equipment & Machinery Shipping. Additional specialized services include Corrugated Packaging (cost-effective alternative for less fragile items), Block and Brace Services (cushioning), Moisture Vapor Barrier (anti-static for electronics), and Tradeshow Crates (reusable). The company also offers targeted verticals for valuable items including Fine Art Shipping, Antiques & Heirlooms Shipping, Auction Item Packaging, and Residential Shipping, all with various insurance coverage options. The portfolio is tied together with Military & Government Packaging compliant with MIL-STD-2073-1 specifications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Custom Crating Custom-built wooden crates designed and fabricated to the specific dimensions and protection requirements of each item, including IPPC/ISPM 15 heat-treated crates for international export and custom engineering for heavy or oversized items.
• Custom Packaging Custom packaging services using foam, cushioning, and blocking/bracing techniques to protect items during transport, designed around the specific fragility, weight, and dimensions of each item.
• White Glove Service Premium delivery service featuring blanket wrapping, air-ride suspension trucks, two-person delivery teams, and in-home placement of fine furniture and valuable items.
• International Shipping Air freight and ocean freight shipping services with custom wooden crates, customs clearance assistance, and delivery to international destinations worldwide.
• Ocean Shipping Export-only international ocean freight shipping including full ocean containers, ISPM 15 certified wood crates, and customs paperwork handling.
• Business Commercial Crating Full-service logistics for commercial, industrial, and government entities including IT equipment, telecom, aerospace, bio-tech, heavy machinery, and high-value shipments with domestic and international transportation.
• Corrugated Packaging Custom corrugated containers and boxes using 350 lb. double wall corrugated fiberboard, reinforced with strapping, banding, and palletizing for less fragile items.
• Block and Brace Services Specialized cushioning services using polyethylene or polyurethane foams based on shock value, vibration, and drop analysis to prevent product damage during transport.
• Moisture Vapor Barrier Packaging Anti-static packaging including wraps, cushioning, and vapor barriers to prevent moisture damage and electrostatic discharge for sensitive electronics and computer components during ocean shipping.
• Tradeshow Crates Custom-built reusable wooden trade show crates with interior packaging, link locks, hinges, locking hasps, and company logo stenciling for repeated shipping of trade show equipment.
• Medical Equipment Shipping Specialized crating and shipping for the medical industry including surgical equipment, CT scanners, MRI machines, diagnostic equipment, lab equipment, X-ray devices, lasers, and hospital furniture with cushioning and moisture prevention.
• Heavy Equipment & Machinery Shipping Custom crating and shipping for heavy equipment, machinery, jet engines, and aircraft wings with sturdy base construction, floter bases, saddles, and cradles, including worldwide export capabilities.
• Technology Equipment Shipping Custom crating and shipping for technology equipment, laboratory testing equipment, and sensitive electronics with vapor barrier bagging, anti-static wraps, and cushioning materials.
• Military & Government Packaging Packaging services compliant with MIL-STD-2073-1 specifications for military and government entities including the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and military contractors.
• Residential Shipping Residential packaging and shipping services including pickup, warehousing, packing, crating, insurance, and domestic or international delivery with white-glove and blanket-wrap options.
• Fine Art Shipping Specialized shipping for fine art, paintings, ceramics, glass, sculptures, museum-quality items, and collectibles with custom crates, white-glove service, and full-coverage cargo insurance.
• Antiques & Heirlooms Shipping Safe handling, packaging, and transporting services for antiques and heirlooms with custom wooden containers, white-glove service, local pickup, and insurance coverage including full coverage and limited liability lost-only options.
• Auction Item Packaging Custom crating and packaging for auction items including furniture, art, statues, musical instruments, and grandfather clocks with evaluation of item, shipping method, and destination regulations.
• Pickup and Delivery Services On-site pickup of items, transport to warehouse for packing and crating, and final delivery to the destination, with white-glove blanket-wrap delivery available for fine furniture.
• Warehousing and Consolidation Short-term comprehensive warehousing and consolidation services from the company's state-of-the-art facilities, storing items until final delivery.
• Insurance Coverage Full-coverage cargo insurance and limited liability (lost-only) insurance offered on shipments, with coverage applying from pickup through packing, crating, and delivery based on declared value.

Quantifiable outcome

• Items arrive damage-free and on-time

Named customers8 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Jost and Settelen (Swiss Moving Company)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss international moving company mentioned in testimonial as being impressed with Sure Express's packing quality. Professionals from Jost and Settelen worked alongside Sure Express on a move, with both companies being noted for their care and quality. This indicates a collaborative relationship when handling international moves involving Swiss destinations.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Masterpiece International: Specialty fine art and antique logistics company providing custom crating, climate-controlled transport, and white-glove delivery for galleries, museums, and collectors. Highly comparable in expertise, customer base, and service mix to Sure Express's art and antiques vertical.
• Cadogan Tate Fine Art: International fine art logistics specialist offering custom packing, crating, climate-controlled trucking, and installation for galleries, auction houses, and private collectors. Closest international analog to Sure Express's fine art and auction crating service.
• Craters & Freighters: Largest US franchise network for custom crating, packing, and shipping of high-value, fragile, and oversized items across residential, commercial, and industrial verticals. Direct competitor to Sure Express in the custom wooden crating niche, with broader geographic coverage via a franchise model.
• Navis Pack & Ship: National franchise network specializing in custom packing, crating, and shipping of large, fragile, and high-value items for residential, commercial, and government customers. Direct competitor to Sure Express across nearly all of its verticals, with broader geographic reach.
• Gallery Logistics: Specialty fine art and gallery shipping service offering custom crating, climate-controlled transport, and white-glove installation. Directly comparable target market and service mix to Sure Express's fine art and gallery vertical.

Emerging players

• uShip: Online freight marketplace connecting shippers of bulky, fragile, and high-value items with carriers and specialty haulers. Competes with Sure Express on customer acquisition for non-recurring specialty shipments by providing instant price discovery that the phone-quote model lacks.
• PBS Air Freight: Air freight forwarder with specialty capabilities for high-value, fragile, and oversized cargo including aerospace and medical equipment. Comparable to Sure Express's heavy machinery, medical, and aerospace verticals for the air freight portion.

Regional players

• Hasenkamp International Relocations: European-headquartered fine art and high-value relocation specialist with expertise in custom crating, export packing, and international white-glove transport. Comparable to Sure Express in capability, with geographic reach complementing rather than overlapping.
• Jost and Settelen: Swiss international moving and specialty relocation firm noted in Sure Express testimonials. Provides custom packing, art handling, and global moves for high-net-worth clients — comparable service mix, primarily European geography.
• Atlantic Relocation Systems: National household goods and specialty moving company with strong East Coast and Gulf Coast presence. Overlaps with Sure Express on residential crating and white-glove delivery, but operates as a broader mover rather than a dedicated specialty crater.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sure Express Worldwide