For the frequent business flyer, the international news crew, and the field service engineer, travel is not a luxury. It is a logistical challenge. The airport environment is hostile to equipment. Baggage handlers are under time pressure, conveyor belts jam, and items shift in the cargo hold. In this environment, a standard department store suitcase is simply a liability. It cracks. The wheels snap. The zips burst.
When your business relies on getting samples, prototypes, or sensitive tools to a destination intact, you do not need luggage. You need a Pelican Suitcase.
At PottertonPacs, we understand that our customers often search for this term when looking for the toughest travel gear on the planet. It is important to clarify that while the world searches for Pelican, here in the UK and Europe, the brand is known as Peli. When you buy a Peli travel case from PottertonPacs, you are buying the exact same product as the US Pelican version, built to the same military standards, but branded for the European market.
We are the UK’s leading experts in protective cases. We supply bulk orders of these travel ready solutions to corporate sales teams, media organisations, and government agencies who need luggage that works as hard as they do.
Why Switch to a Pelican Suitcase?
The primary reason to upgrade from standard luggage to a Peli travel case is failure prevention.
A broken suitcase during a business trip is more than an inconvenience. It is a disruption. If you are a medical sales representative carrying expensive hip replacement samples, or a surveyor carrying laser scanners, a crushed bag can mean a cancelled meeting or a lost contract.
Peli cases are engineered to eliminate this risk. They are not sewn together from fabric or moulded from thin polycarbonate. They are injection moulded from impact resistant structural resin. They are crushproof, watertight, and dustproof.
By equipping your team with Peli travel cases, you are making a strategic decision to protect your company assets. You are ensuring that when your staff arrive at their hotel or job site, their equipment is ready to perform.
The Peli Air Travel Range: The Modern Suitcase
For years, the only criticism levelled at heavy duty protective cases was their weight. For a commercial traveller trying to stay within airline weight limits, every kilogram counts.
Peli answered this challenge with the Peli Air range. These cases are the closest thing to a traditional suitcase in terms of weight but offer exponentially more protection.
The Peli Air Travel series (specifically models like the 1535 and 1615) was designed specifically to bridge the gap between a hard case and a travel bag.
Lightweight HPX² Resin The Peli Air cases are up to 40% lighter than the standard Protector range. This is achieved through the use of proprietary HPX² polymer, which is flexible enough to rebound from impact but rigid enough to protect the contents. This weight saving allows you to pack more gear without paying excess baggage fees.
Optimised for Airlines The Peli Air 1535 is engineered to be the maximum allowable carry on size for most major airlines. It fits perfectly into overhead lockers. The Peli Air 1615 is designed to be the maximum check in size, ensuring you maximise your volume without incurring oversized freight charges.
Travel Interior Options Unlike standard foam filled cases, the Travel (TRVL) versions of the Peli Air range come equipped with features specifically for clothes and personal gear. They include packing cubes, lid organisers with zipped compartments for toiletries or cables, and dividers. This transforms the industrial case into a fully functional suitcase that keeps your shirts pressed and your boots separate from your laptop.
The Protector Case: The Heavy Duty Alternative
While the Air range is perfect for most travellers, some industries require the original tank like durability of the Peli Protector series.
The Peli 1510 is the legendary precursor to the Air 1535. It is heavier, but it feels indestructible. For engineering crews who might use their case as a step stool, a seat, or a workbench, the Protector series is the preferred choice.
These cases are often used as “toolcases” rather than suitcases. PottertonPacs supplies these in bulk to offshore energy companies and railway maintenance teams. They feature the classic robust double throw latches and reinforced padlock protectors that have defined the brand for forty years.
Key Features of a Peli Travel Case
When you choose a Pelican Suitcase (Peli case) from PottertonPacs, you are gaining access to a suite of features designed for the rigours of transit.
Quiet Rolling Wheels Standard luggage wheels are often the first point of failure. They are small, plastic, and riveted on. Peli cases use durable stainless steel ball bearing wheels. They are larger and wider than standard wheels, allowing them to roll smoothly over rough terrain like gravel, cobblestones, or concrete warehouse floors. They roll silently through airport terminals and are housed in protective reinforced wells to prevent them from being snapped off by baggage handlers.
Retractable Extension Handles The trolley handle on a Peli case is designed to withstand high torque loads. It extends smoothly and locks in place. Unlike cheap luggage handles that wobble and flex, the Peli handle gives you total control over the case, even when it is fully loaded with heavy equipment.
Watertight Seal Have you ever collected your luggage from the carousel only to find your clothes are damp because the baggage cart sat in the rain? Peli cases feature a polymer O ring and a tongue and groove fit. They are waterproof. Your brochures, electronics, and clothes remain bone dry, regardless of the weather on the tarmac.
Security and Locks Theft is a constant concern for business travellers. Peli cases feature reinforced stainless steel padlock protectors. You can use TSA approved locks to secure your case, allowing airport security to inspect it without damaging the latches. The solid wall construction also prevents “slash and grab” thefts that are common with soft fabric luggage.
Customisation: The PottertonPacs Advantage
Buying a Pelican Suitcase is a great start, but to truly professionalise your travel logistics, you need customisation. This is where PottertonPacs adds value for our B2B clients.
Corporate Branding Your team is the face of your company. When they walk through an airport or into a client lobby, their luggage should reflect your brand identity. PottertonPacs offers a comprehensive branding service. We can screen print your corporate logo directly onto the lid of the case. We can also apply high quality vinyl decals. This creates a uniform, professional appearance for your sales force or technical team. It also acts as a deterrent against theft and makes identifying your company cases on a busy carousel instant and easy.
Custom Interiors for Samples If your suitcase is actually a mobile showroom, standard packing cubes are not enough. We design and manufacture bespoke foam inserts. If your sales team travels with medical devices, cosmetic samples, or industrial components, we can route high density foam to hold each item securely in place. This ensures that when the case is opened in front of a customer, the presentation is immaculate. Every item is facing the right way, clean, and unbroken.
Lid Organisers We supply a range of lid organisers that fit inside the Peli cases. These are essential for the business traveller. They provide zipped mesh pockets for storing laptops, power supplies, notebooks, and pens. By utilising the lid space, you free up the main compartment for bulky items or clothing.
Industries That Rely on Peli Travel Cases
Our order books at PottertonPacs show a clear trend. Industries that cannot afford downtime switch to Peli.
Media and Broadcast Camera operators and journalists travel constantly. They carry cameras, lenses, and drones that cost tens of thousands of pounds. The Peli Air 1535 is the industry standard carry on for this sector. It protects the glass and sensors from the bumps of travel while fitting in the cabin.
Technical Sales Sales professionals carrying heavy or fragile demo units need a rolling case that looks professional but offers industrial protection. A branded Peli case tells the client that the company values quality and takes care of its assets.
Formula One and Motorsport Race teams travel the globe with vital telemetry equipment and tools. The pit crews rely on Peli cases because they stack securely on pallets and survive the frantic pace of the paddock.
Military and Defence For personnel deploying overseas, the kit bag is a lifeline. Peli cases are used to transport personal weapon systems, communications gear, and personal effects in environments where dust, sand, and water are constant threats.
The Economics of Durability
For a procurement manager, the initial cost of a Pelican Suitcase (Peli case) is higher than a standard fabric suitcase. However, the total cost of ownership is significantly lower.
Cheap luggage is a consumable item. It lasts for perhaps ten trips before a wheel breaks or the fabric tears. It is then discarded and replaced.
A Peli case is a permanent asset. It comes with a Lifetime Guarantee. The manufacturer states: “You break it, we replace it… forever.” This warranty covers the case shell and hardware.
If you equip your team with Peli cases today, you will likely never need to buy them luggage again. Over a five year period, the savings are substantial, not to mention the savings made by avoiding damage to the contents.
Availability and Bulk Supply
PottertonPacs is a specialist B2B distributor. We hold extensive stock of the Peli UK range at our warehouse.
We understand the needs of corporate buyers.
• Volume Pricing: We offer trade pricing structures for bulk orders.
• Rapid Fulfilment: We can ship large quantities to single or multiple locations to support team rollouts.
• Advance Order Management: If you have a specific project deadline, we can schedule delivery to match your timeline.
Upgrade Your Travel Logistics
Stop relying on luggage that was designed for holidays. Equip your professionals with tools that were designed for industry.
The Pelican Suitcase (Peli Air or Peli Protector) is the ultimate travel companion for the modern business. It is secure, durable, and lightweight.
At PottertonPacs, we are ready to help you select the right model for your needs. Whether you need the carry on agility of the 1535 or the check in capacity of the 1615, we have the stock and the expertise to support your business.
Contact the PottertonPacs team today to discuss your travel case requirements, request a trade quotation, or explore our corporate branding options.
