Palletization for Efficient and Reliable Material Handling
What is Palletization?
Palletization It is method of storing and transporting goods stacked on a pallet (typically a form of tertiary packaging, is a flat structure used as a base for the unitization of goods in supply chain. Pallet is portable, horizontal, rigid, composite platform used as a base) and shipped as a unit load. It permits standardized ways of handling loads with common mechanical equipment, such as forklift trucks.
Pallets Used For
- For light loads, paper pallets (ecopallets) are used.
- For heavy loads, steel pallets are strong and used for long-term dry storage and loads moved by an abusive logistic system. They are often used for military ammunition
- Fruits & vegetables-(transportation)
- Air & sea transport
Benefits of Palletization
- Palletized products can be moved more quickly than by the manual handling of individual palletized cartons. It includes a faster turnaround of delivery.
- Reduced labour requirement, thus less risk of product damage and worker injury.
- Products can be moved more efficiently and stored in warehouses.
- Standard-sized pallets can optimize operations in pallet racks.
- Customers often prefer the receipt of palletized goods
- Pallets provide drainage and circulation of commodities requiring this, including fresh produce.
Limitation of Pallets
- Deterioration- repeated use of wooden pallets develops cracks and even breaks under the pressure of continuous use.
- Infestation- wooden pallets are more susceptible to infestation by termites, ants, and other insects, especially pallets stored outdoors. The insects burrow into the wood, eating away at it and thus weakening what should be a support structure.
- Cleanliness- in addition to germs, wooden pallets are collectors of dirt and debris, and cleaning them becomes more and more difficult over time as the pallets age.
Cost- wood pallets are more expensive than plastic pallets in the long run.
Types of Pallets
- Block Pallets: Wooden structure, recycled wood, plywood & plastic.
  1. 4-way entry pallets
 2. 12 cylindrical wooden posts - Stringer Pallets: 2-way pallets
- Double Face Pallets
- Single Face Pallets
- Solid Deck Pallets
- Sea & EURO Pallets