Case Studies

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT PALLET – PART 1

WHAT ARE PALLETS?

Pallets are portable platforms for moving and storing goods that are stacked on them. There are different kinds of pallets available in the market. They are categorized based on the type of materials used, their usage, dimensions and load specifications.


1. Usage

Export vs Storage Pallets

Export:
  • Non rackable
  • Cheaper
  • Less durable
  • May not be strong enough for long term use on racking frames

Storage
  • Mainly rackable
  • More expensive
  • Durable
  • Durable and can be used on racking frames like drive-in racks


2. Material

Wood pallet
  • Cheap
  • Traditional material
  • Problem with pest, hence fumigation or heat treatment requirement (ISPM15)*
  • Not Durable
  • Damage to cargo from protruding nails
  • Easily damaged by water.
*Information about ISPM 15 Regulations, please visit www.simax.com.sg


Plastic pallet
  • 10% more costly than wood
  • No need fumigation for export
  • Satisfies Good Storage Practice for food and pharmaceutical products as it is pest free.
  • Half the weight of wood pallet
  • Waterproof, able to handle wet environment


Airfreight pallet
  • More costly, but the higher cost is recovered by high airfreight weight savings
  • Eco-friendly, renewable and recyclable resource
  • Patent product and Lightest Durable pallet in the world at 1.5 kg each
  • No damage to cargo as there is no nails
  • Clean when new, and fumigation is not needed for export


Paper pallet
  • Same price as wood pallet
  • Eco-friendly, renewable and recyclable resource
  • One third weight of wood pallet
  • No damage to cargo as there is no nails
  • Clean when new, and fumigation is not needed for export
  • Disintegrate upon contact with water.


3. Dimensions



4. Load Specifications

Dynamic Test

"Dynamic Load" means when the pallet is loaded uniformly with goods/cargo and moved from one location to another via hand pallet jack or fork lift.




Static Load

"Static Load" means the pallet is loaded uniformly with goods and is stationary on a flat floor or surface.




Racking Load

"Racking Load" means goods is loaded uniformly and put on a rack. Bend of pallet at center must not exceed 2% of the pallet length within a 24-hour testing period.



Advice to customers: There are various types of pallets available, so you must know what kind of pallet meets your needs.
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