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stores without dock doors to move product through standard-sized entryways. They also optimize truck space and make maneuvering between aisles and tight backrooms possible.”
Failure to downsize to fit the load may actually result in exposing the product to more damage.
“When using a pallet disproportionate with the size of the load to be shipped, there is a significant decrease in product protec- tion and an increase in product damage,” says Gary Sharon, vice president of Litco Inter- national, Vienna, OH. “Another application for a smaller pallet is for single-package ship- ments that are typically shipped via parcel post. These shipments often incur a high rate of damage from the rough manual handling in the supply chain that is associated with parcel shipping.”
Some models take economy to another level by working in the truck, at the distribu- tion center, and on the produce department floor.
“Litco’s ‘Retailer’ pallet is a newer addition to Litco’s engineered molded wood product line,” says Sharon. “It is targeted for use as both the shipper pallet and the base for retail POP (point of purchase) floor displays. They are available in both domestic and Euro- pean full, half and quarter sizes. The molded process ensures an attractive pallet/base with a dense surface, dimensional consistency, rounded corners, no pests, odors and mold.”
In some cases the “size” of the load has less to do with the length and width, and more to do with the weight.
“You don’t design a pallet to carry lettuce the same way as you design a pallet to carry pumpkins,” says Annette Ferri, vice president of communications at the National Wooden Pallet & Container Association, Alexan- dria, VA. “Fewer board feet of lumber are needed for the pallet carrying lettuce than for heavier produce. Pallets move the world, they help feed America, and they help maintain healthy forests. Good markets for wood prod- ucts connect to healthy forests and healthy communities.”
USE IT AGAIN?
Recyclability and the related issue of cost are the main reason wood is still by far the most common pallet material.
“Wood is the only 100 percent renewable material on the market,” says Ferri. “Plastic, metal and corrugated cardboard pallets are smaller markets, used for niche purposes, because of their limitations in recyclability, load-carrying capacity or cost.”
“You don’t design a pallet to carry lettuce the same way as
you design a pallet to carry pumpkins. ” — Annette Ferri, National Wooden Pallet & Container Association
Nearly a quarter of users surveyed in the 2017 Pallet Market Evaluation Study valued recyclability.
Although the material is recyclable, some shippers are religiously committed to never
using a wooden pallet a second time.
“At Gerawan Farming we pride ourselves in making our own pallet,” says Denver Schutz, technical services manager at Gerawan Farming, Fresno, CA. “Our Prima
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