Fuel costs, labour constraints, and persistent supply chain challenges continue to put pressure on Australian logistics expenses. In their zeal to cut costs, companies are keen to overlook lengthy freight contract reviews or spend large amounts on warehouse automation; what they often forget is one seemingly small detail that could be affecting efficiency – pallets.
The wooden pallets you use every day have a subtle impact on the speed at which products flow through your warehouse, transportation network and distribution centres.
Choosing the right pallet can reduce handling delays, increase product protection and optimise your storage systems’ daily operations.
Standard pallet sizes
The 1165 x 1165 mm pallet is widely used across Australia as it fits most racking systems common in Australian warehouses.
A warehouse operating on uniformly sized pallets experiences the least variation in forklift operator handling of inventory, rack structure and truck loading, which means there is minimal wasted space. Standard pallet sizes allow your warehouse to run at maximum efficiency and also help automated warehouse technology to operate seamlessly day in, day out.
Odd dimensional pallets typically cause your products to stack unevenly, which can lead to wasted container space and slow down warehouse operations. Although small delays, when considered over a year, can become substantial costs to your business.
By using standard wooden pallets in Australia, you can ensure distribution networks run smoothly every time.
Strength and load capacity
While there are many advantages to using a durable, well-built pallet, there’s probably one benefit that outclasses them all: load capacity. Having pallets that collapse is horrible for business. Not only do they damage your products and hamper warehouse efficiency, but they also put your employee’s safety at risk.
There are two types of load ratings you’ll want to look for when searching for pallets for your business: static and dynamic load capacity. The static load is how much weight your pallet can handle while sitting still. Dynamic load is the maximum weight your pallet can handle while in motion. Dynamic typically includes transportation on a forklift truck or delivery vehicle.
The reason why you want pallets with a high enough load capacity to support the weight they will be holding is to prevent deformities to the pallet—things like bending, cracking, or breaking. If your pallets are able to support heavy loads regularly, you will see fewer damaged products lost in your business, and you’ll need to purchase new pallets less often.
Another benefit of using pallets with a high load rating is that you can stack products higher while minimising risk. This effectively allows you to store more products in the same amount of space.
Minimise damaged goods with quality pallets
Broken products during transit are never the pallet's fault, but a low-quality pallet can certainly contribute to damaged goods. Cartons that need to be replaced, unhappy customers, and the logistics of returning or replacing products are all hidden costs that erode your bottom line.
Poor-quality pallets can have decks that sit unevenly on the ground, weak boards that crack under pressure, or unstable deck structures that allow products to move around during transport. Movement within your product shipment will drastically increase the likelihood of damage. Product damage is most common with fragile goods or boxed products.
High-quality pallets provide a solid foundation for your entire shipment. With evenly distributed support, your products will have less room to move during transport. When you invest in better quality pallets, you will start to see a reduction in damaged goods.
Warehouse efficiency
Dependable warehouse operations are built upon predictable handling processes. Pallets that fit your warehouse systems and storage setups will flow seamlessly from your receiving docks to storage and dispatch.
Forklift drivers won't have to hunt for where to grab the pallet, and your goods will be evenly distributed, making it easier and quicker to lift. Loading your delivery trucks will also take less time when the pallets your business uses fit perfectly on the trailer your transport company uses. Having uniform sizes will also allow for more products to be stored on your warehouse racking systems.
Standardising your pallets can eliminate the time lost handling inefficient or incompatible units. With only one type of pallet entering your warehouse, operations become quicker, and staff can operate more safely.
Transport cost savings
Transportation costs come in the form of more than just a freight bill. Packaging, handling times, and damaged products also play a huge part in your overall transport costs.
Heavy-duty pallets that can support heavier loads will allow you to stack more product on top of each other within your transport vehicles and containers. By stacking more products higher, you can transport more load per trip, reducing the number of trips your business needs to make. A less-damaged product will also reduce the number of insurance claims and the number of products you need to send back at your expense.
Pallets are one of the last things you think about when developing your logistics plan. But they can play a big role in your everyday operation. When businesses view pallets as an investment in their operations, not a short-term accessory, they often realise long-term efficiencies with well-designed pallet solutions.
Standardised versions with a high load rating and made from quality materials will allow you to run your warehouse more smoothly and reduce lost stock from damaged goods. Read more: https://www.loscam.com/en/products/wooden-pallets-australia-1165-x-1165mm-loscam
