they can choose from single-, double-, and triple-wall corrugated or honeycomb decking of various thicknesses. The
top sheet can also be die-cut to accommodate a particular
product; the bottom sheet can be die-cut to accommodate a
pallet jack or other material handling devices. The pallet
runners include cylindrical supports and can be engineered
in almost any size and strength to match the buyer’s specific
application. The runners can also be purchased separately
and directly applied to a product in lieu of a pallet. (Conitex
Sonoco, www.corrpallet.com)
Stick to it. De Luxe Paper Products is best known for its
food and consumer packaging, but the Canadian company
also makes a useful accessory for pallets: a nonslip paper
sheet that is placed between each row of product on pallets to
prevent them from sliding during warehouse handling and
transportation. The sheets stabilize pallet loads by introducing friction between cartons, which helps to keep them in
place even when the pallet starts to tip or the load comes to
an abrupt stop. This reduces the need for corner boards,
straps, glue, stretch wrap, and other packing materials, the
manufacturer says.
Made from recyclable materials, the sheets are nontoxic
and water-resistant. Ideal for grocery applications, they can
be used in temperatures ranging from - 5 degrees F to 160
degrees F. (De Luxe Paper Products, www.deluxepaper.com)
Best of both worlds. As president of a pallet rebuilding
and recycling mill, Robert Kessler knows more than most
about pallet damage and its causes. Concerned about pal-let-related waste and the number of trees used to build
short-lived wooden pallets, Kessler invented the Green Line
Armor Hybrid Sustained-Use Pallet, a wooden pallet with
molded bumpers. The bumpers, made of 100-percent recyclable, biocomposite material, resist impacts, reducing
damage and lengthening the useful life of wooden pallets.
The pallets themselves are made of heat-treated white
oak, with alloy self-tapping screws and six-sided protective
stain for mold/mildew resistance and UV protection. Each
pallet is equipped with two EPC Gen 2 RFID tags, one at
each end of the pallet in built-in RFID compartments in the
bumpers. The pallets come with a 10-year limited warranty. (Green Line Armor, www.greenlinearmor.com)
Great for groceries. The Grocery Distribution Pallet
from Orbis Corp. was specifically designed to efficiently
store, ship, and handle product throughout the grocery supply chain. When nested, the pallets optimize space in standard 53-foot trailers. Their anti-skid surface effectively holds
cases and boxes in place in transit and in the retail operation.
The all-plastic Grocery Pallet has contoured corners and
In addition to the companies mentioned in this article, the
following companies exhibited pallet products at Modex:
▪ CHEP (pallet pooling), www.chep.com
▪ Eco Aluminum Pallets (heavy-duty aluminum pallets),
www.ecoaluminumpallets.com
▪ Fukutomi Green Pallets (plastic pallets from recycled
materials), www.fukutomi.com
▪ Georg Utz Inc. (multiple-use pallets), www.utzgroup.com
▪ iGPS (rentals of plastic pallets with embedded RFID
tags), www.igps.net
▪ J.I. T. Containers (plastic and structural foam pallets),
www.jitcontainers.com
▪ Magnolia Forest Products (all types of wood pallets),
www.magnoliaforest.com
▪ Millwood Inc. (new, used, and reconditioned pallets),
www.millwoodinc.com
▪ Monoflo International (plastic pallets),
www.miworldwide.com
▪ Peco Pallet (wood pallet rental), www.pecopallet.com
▪ TriEnda–A Spara Company (heavy-gauge plastic pallets),
www.trienda.com
▪ Triple Diamond Plastics (nestable, stackable plastic
pallets), www.tdplastics.com
The rest of the gang
smooth surfaces. It boasts an easy-to-clean design and is
smooth and nonporous to avoid absorbing moisture or
odors. Additional features include long service life, a lower
per-trip cost than alternative pallets, and versatile handling,
with four-way hand and fork truck entry. (Orbis,
www.orbiscorporation.com)
Strong legwork. The ProStack Solid Deck Pallet by
Polymer Solutions International Inc. features a solid top for
consistent support across the full plane of the pallet’s surface. It also includes a patented, telescoping double-leg
design that incorporates a series of interlocking “teeth.”
This ratchet-style construction secures the top deck to the
base via the interlocking legs, producing a connection that’s
three times stronger than welded or snap pallet construction designs, says the manufacturer. The double-leg construction offers superior resistance to potential damage
caused by forklift and pallet jack impacts.
The hygienic pallets are made from 100-percent recyclable, FDA-approved high-density polyethylene (HDPE) with
a smooth finish that is easy to clean and inspect, making it
suitable for food, pharmaceutical, and medical environments. The ProStack Solid Deck Pallet is available in several different materials, including Factory Mutual Research
Corp.-approved grades for fire-retardant applications, and
with optional anti-microbial additives. (Polymer Solutions
International, www.prostackpallets.com) ;
