Rehrig Pacific's Top 3 Tips to Maximize Plastic Pallet ROI

LOS ANGELES, CA — November 16, 2006 - Increasingly, businesses seeking to reduce transport-packaging costs are turning to reusable plastic pallets for shipping platforms. With high reuse and recovery rates provided through internal accountability, or third party logistics companies, the increased ROI of plastic pallets to manufacturing operations and warehousing are now being fully realized.

Increasingly, businesses seeking to reduce transport-packaging costs are turning to reusable plastic pallets for shipping platforms. With high reuse and recovery rates provided through internal accountability, or third party logistics companies, the increased ROI of plastic pallets to manufacturing operations and warehousing are now being fully realized.

To effectively maximize plastic pallet ROI, we consulted Rehrig Pacific's team of Material Handling Sales Specialists to identify the Top 3 Tips to help guide you before making a purchase or requesting a quote:

Tip #1: Determine how the pallets are going to be used.

Plastic pallets are available in many different sizes, configurations and load strengths including Nestable Pallets, Rackable Standard Pallets, Heavy Duty Pallets, Top Frame Pallets, Bulk Pallets, Beverage Pallets, Dairy Pallets, Distribution Pallets, Export Pallets and Specialty Pallets. Look for consistent dimensions and weights that work smoothly with most automated pallet handling equipment.

Most often there are two kinds of pallets in the warehouse, Rackable Standard Pallets for storage and Nestable Pallets for transport. Rackable Standard Pallets come in a range of sizes for companies looking to better utilize warehouse space. Nestable Pallets are a key link in the retail, grocery and food service distribution supply chain that provide secure, cost-effective one-way shipping platforms when high load security is a factor.

It's valuable to understand whether your pallets will be stored on the floor or on racks with full or edge-only support. Knowing the maximum load to be placed on the pallets and whether the loaded pallets will be stacked on top of each other will help determine what type of pallet is best.

Tip #2: Determine the size and features you need.

Plastic pallets come in many different sizes including 32x37, 36x38, 37x37, 37x43, 40x40, 44x56 and 48x48 but 40" x 48" is most common for storage and transport. What size are you looking for?

Important features to consider include:

* Ergonomic handles: improves handling and reduces injuries
* Leg grommets: designed to take heavy loads without caving
* Four-way entry: improves efficiency in handling by forklift or pallet jack
* Anti-skid treatment: improves handling and reduces "scuffing"
* Flame-retardancy (FR): FR plastic pallets can be introduced into any warehouse that uses wooden pallets without any increased fire risk

Consider if the pallets will be subject to refrigerated storage at any point, stacked outside in high temperatures or stored near any caustic substances or vapors. The UL Classification, UL 2335, is given to products with a proven fire safety and can be introduced to any warehouse without changing their sprinklers. Any company can now seamlessly switch to using FR plastic pallets that are offered in types and sizes that will satisfy most customers' needs.

If returning pallets is not possible then cost is probably the ultimate feature. One-way plastic Export Pallets might be best for your operation. These pallets are sturdy and lightweight and have none of the phyto-sanitary restrictions facing wood pallets used for overseas shipments.

Tip #3: Determine how many pallets you need and how soon you need them.

Having a quantity in mind will help determine pricing and whether the pallets need to be manufactured or can be shipped from stock. It also helps to determine if this is a one-time need or if will you have additional requirements for pallets on an ongoing basis.

If you are unsure about any of these considerations, then the best thing to do is call the Rehrig Pacific Plastic Pallets Hotline at 800-459-5663. Amy Lander will be happy to guide you through the RFQ process or schedule a call with one of our pallet sales specialists who can quickly assess your needs and advise the best pallets for your unique application.