While the popularity of online shopping has been increasing for the past several years, e-commerce grew exponentially during the COVID-19 pandemic as a safe, convenient alternative to the in-store retail experience. As online shopping increased, so have the opportunities for porch pirates to pilfer home-delivered packages. In addition, there’s weather to worry about when packages are left on unprotected porches.
That’s why entrepreneur Kevin Kennett developed the JIB Box (www.jibbox.com), a sturdy, lockable package receptacle that can be secured to porches for door-front deliveries. “With the state of the economy, there’s been a real increase in the theft of packages,” said Kennett, founder and president of JIB Lock Box LLC. “Additionally, home delivered packages need to be protected from inclement weather.”
After three years of research and development, Kennett launched the JIB Box in May 2020 with two models: one constructed with black 6 mm SINTRA® PVC panels by 3A Composites USA, Inc. and the other with birch panels. “We needed to find the right material and lock,” said Kennett. “It had to be weather-resistant, hold up well and be sturdy enough to keep packages safe. … We consulted a box manufacturer and they recommended SINTRA for its weather-resistance and durability.”
SINTRA is a high-performance moderately expanded PVC board engineered for graphic display projects that require quality material. According to the manufacturer, SINTRA is easily fabricated and known for its printability, quality, consistency, durability and performance. SINTRA is available with a premium bright-white surface for digital and screen printing. In addition to the brightest white and black, SINTRA is available in a broad range of colors in gauges ranging from 1 mm up to 12.7 mm and in standard sheet sizes ranging from 48" x 96" up to 2 meters x 120".
Working with contract designers, the JIB Box was designed with an aluminum frame and premium panels and features an interior storage compartment measuring 19" wide x 13" deep x 13" tall — a size designed to accommodate 90 percent of all packages shipped, according to Kennett, who said hardware is provided to secure the JIB Box to a porch.
“Approximately one-half of customers choose to secure the JIB Box to their porch; while some people put it out when they are expecting packages and then bring it inside,” according to Kennett, who said the JIB Box weighs approximately 30 to 40 pounds depending on the model.
The JIB Box features a mechanical digital lock that does not require batteries or keys and is unlocked by owners with a four-digit code. Delivery personnel simply follow instructional stickers adhered to the exterior and interior panels of the JIB Box, place packages inside and turn a knob to activate the lock.
SINTRA has held up well in these JIB Box purchases, according to Kennett, who said the SINTRA model “has received zero complaints for lack of sturdiness, dents or scratches.”
Kennett contracts C & C Manufacturing Inc. in Sterling Heights, MI, USA to manufacture the JIB Box models. Black SINTRA is supplied to C & C Manufacturing by the Warren, MI, USA branch of Laird Plastics and by the Madison Heights, MI, USA branch of Polymershapes LLC.
“The fact that SINTRA can be routed with a CNC machine really helps with manufacturing and production,” said Kennett. “We also are able to easily adhere graphics to the SINTRA panels.”
Kennett uses the JIB Box at his residence and lake house, owning one with black SINTRA panels and the other with birch panels. “The concept is working fantastically,” said Kennett. “Our biggest concern was in getting delivery personnel to use it. They’ve used it from the get-go. They just follow the instructions on the stickers and don’t need a code. JIB Box provides ease of use for the delivery person.” www.3acompositesusa.com.