Pallet 101
The Pallet Manufacturing Process
Pallet manufacturing involves several steps to produce durable and reliable platforms for goods storage and transport.
The first stage is the procurement of raw materials, primarily wood. Typically sourced from sustainable forests or recycled wood materials. Our wood goes through a QA process to ensure it meets our standard of excellence. Wood is inspected to ensure there is no rot, or infestation of insects.
The selected wood is then processed where we cut it to specific dimensions. The cutting process uses precision machinery to ensure uniformity in size and shape fitting the standard dimensions required for different pallet types. In this stage, the wood can also be heat treated to enhance durability and resistance to pests and decay.
The assembly of pallets is the next critical stage, where the cut wood pieces are fashioned into the final product. This involves nailing or stapling the wooden slats and blocks together, following specific patterns that dictate the pallet's load capacity and compatibility with handling equipment like forklifts. We use automated assembly machinery to allow for large-scale development and consistency.
Finally, the finished pallets are then inspected for quality, ensuring they meet industry standards and safety regulations. Once approved, they are stacked, stored, or shipped to customers.
Buying Pallets: Wooden vs. Plastic
Wooden Pallets are the most common type of pallets used in the industrial industry. They're typically more cost effective, and more sustainable than their plastic counterparts. They also offer a higher level of friction. However, they are susceptible to moisture, pests and mold. Depending on what you're using your pallets for, typically you'll want to use Heat Treated Wooden Pallets (ISPM-15) to comply with regulations and improve the life of your pallet.
Plastic Pallets do offer some benefits. Durability, and resistance to decay and pests being the primary benefits. However, they're more expensive than wooden pallets and the recycling process is much more complex.
At the Pallets of Texas, we only service Wooden Pallets.
Load Capacity Of A Wooden Pallet
The size and type of pallet along with the type of wood used has major influence on the total load capacity of a wooden pallet. The most common pallet is the standard 40" x 48" and can typically support up to 4,500 pounds. Our 40" x 48" pallets typically weight about 35-40 pounds depending on what type of design is used (Two way, four way)
Buying Pallets: National vs. Local Brands
Buying wooden pallets can be complicated and depending on which company you choose will determine how much support, and how reliable or smooth the process will be.
Most national pallet suppliers have significant distribution networks which allows them to service companies with a national footprint. As a result, they have hefty ordering minimums and require significant upfront commitments. That works well for some companies and not for others. They can also support servicing orders in the tens of millions annually. However, the sales representative doesn't have access to the floor crew so it's difficult to get updates on existing orders beyond what's in their internal systems.
Working with local suppliers, like the Pallets of Texas, eliminates a lot of the complexity and difficulty of working with national pallet brands. There are no minimum orders and your sales representative can get updates on existing orders with a few phone calls. If you're a national brand with warehouses across the country, it could make sense to work with national pallet companies. However, if your needs are isolated to a single region, we always recommend working with regional pallet manufactures like the Pallets of Texas who offer competitive prices, reliable delivery, and a sales representative who can advocate for your business.
