Loss Control Tips for Wholesale Durable Goods Manufacturing

Durable goods—like appliances, electronics, furniture, and metal parts—keep industries moving and households running. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, durable goods manufacturing is a $2 trillion industry that is foundational in the national economy.

If your business manufactures or distributes these long-lasting products, you’re already part of a vital supply chain that supports construction, infrastructure, retail, and beyond. However, with high-value inventory, active warehouses, and specialized handling needs, durable goods operations come with serious risks.

At Central, we believe effective insurance starts with prevention. Below, Rachel Pinsonneault, commercial lines staff underwriter at Central Insurance, breaks down the most common exposures facing wholesale durable goods facilities and shares practical loss control strategies you can implement today.

What Are Durable Goods?

Durable goods are physical products expected to last three years or more. They’re not consumed quickly or easily damaged, which makes them so valuable to your customers. Washing machines, industrial shelving, power tools, or wire components are all great examples of durable goods you might find at a manufacturing facility.

“Durable goods are usually non-perishable items made from materials like metal or plastic,” Pinsonneault says. “They can include everything from appliances to car parts and often require careful storage and transport.”

Where the Risks Lie: Key Exposures for Durable Goods Operations

Distributors of durable goods may not be involved in the actual manufacturing process, but their role is no less critical. These businesses link manufacturers and retailers, managing large inventories, navigating logistical challenges, and ensuring that goods arrive intact and on time.

“When it comes to durable goods distributors, these businesses are mostly working with manufacturers and dealing with the logistics of distributing the goods into the market,” Pinsonneault explains. “They are the in-between, and they work directly with these manufacturers and pair them with the companies actually selling the goods.”

While wholesalers may not manufacture the items they store and ship, they still hold a great deal of responsibility for maintaining quality, safety, and efficiency. Here are a few of the most common risk areas:

• Storage & Inventory Risks: Bulky, heavy items require thoughtful storage design. Poor stacking or aisle management can result in injury or inventory loss.
• Property Exposure: Large facilities filled with high-value goods are vulnerable to fire, theft, and environmental conditions.

Learn More: Hazard Assessment: How a Loss Control Consultant Protects Your Business

• Product Damage: Long-lasting doesn’t mean indestructible. Damage in storage or during transport can lead to costly replacements or reputational harm.
• Workplace Safety: Warehouse operations often involve repetitive lifting, equipment use, and fast-paced workflows—all of which can lead to Workers’ Compensation claims.
• Liability Gaps: If an item is damaged under your care and causes harm after sale, your business may be brought into a claim.

6 Smart Loss Control Tips for Durable Goods Businesses

Loss control is more than compliance—it’s about keeping your employees safe, your inventory protected, and your business running efficiently. And it all starts with the systems and safeguards you put in place.

Want to minimize downtime and protect your people and property? Pinsonneault outlines these six best practices:

1. Rethink Your Storage Strategy

• Use stable shelving and secure heavy inventory properly
• Prevent overstacking and keep walkways clear for forklift use
• Ensure pallet racking is properly anchored and maintained to prevent collapse or failure.
• Control climate to match product needs (humidity, temperature, etc.)

“They need to make sure that inventory is protected, it’s stored in appropriate containers, and that it’s not stocked too high or certain items is not stored next to each other,” Pinsonneault says.

2. Prioritize Facility Safety & Security

• Regularly inspect and properly maintain fire suppression and sprinkler systems
• Install motion-sensor lighting, alarm systems, and surveillance
• Use fenced yards and locked areas for outdoor storage
• Conduct regular audits of inventory to detect discrepancies and prevent theft

3. Make Safe Handling Standard

• Train all staff on ergonomic lifting techniques

“One of the biggest exposures for Workers’ Comp in general when it comes to warehousing is moving and lifting of stored goods,” Pinsonneault says.

• Provide carts, lifts, and forklifts to reduce strain
• Verify forklift operators are properly licensed and trained

4. Invest in Employee Training

• Offer frequent safety refreshers and emergency drills; properly document any training conducted
• Create a culture of hazard reporting and proactive risk spotting

5. Account for Peak Season Inventory

Inventory often surges during holidays or seasonal cycles. A Peak Season Endorsement ensures your policy limits adjust accordingly, so your extra stock doesn’t go unprotected.

6. Review Transportation and Logistics Plans

• Inspect incoming and outgoing goods and document the condition of products
• Ensure proper protective packaging is in place and outgoing shipments are properly secured to prevent damage during transit

Why Central Insurance?

At Central, we know that durable goods businesses are built to last—and your insurance coverage should be, too. We’ve partnered with manufacturers and wholesalers across the country for more than 145 years, helping them stay resilient in a changing market.

What you can expect from us:

• Tailored Coverage for property, liability, equipment breakdown, and transport
• Trusted Expertise from underwriters who understand your industry
• Proactive Risk Guidance to help you avoid claims in the first place
• Exceptional Claims Experience with fast, transparent service

With Central, you get more than a policy—you get a partner who’s committed to your success.Talk to your independent agent today to learn how we can help protect your durable goods operation.