DC Velocity - IdeaBook 2014

is caused by forklift trucks or pallet jacks. So you’ll want to make sure that these equipment operators in particular are well versed in correct material handling procedures. (For a list of do’s and don’ts for forklift operators, see the sidebar, “Pallet handling tips for forklift drivers.”)

In many cases, your pallet vendor or pooler can provide you with training materials like videos and posters or come in and talk to your employees. (Or you can simply run a search for “proper pallet handling” on You Tube.) Miller recommends using videos as part of the training for new hires as well as posters for reminders and reinforcement.

It’s not just the workers on the warehouse floor
who might need some instruction on the rudiments
of pallet handling. Horvath recommends making
sure that whoever buys pallets for your company
understands the basic principles of unit load design.
He says he’s seen too many cases where companies
noticed a sudden jump in pallet damage and unit
load failure after the purchasing
department switched to a cheaper
pallet in an effort to cut costs.
Although often taken for granted,
pallets nonetheless play an import-
ant role in the supply chain—pro-
tecting the product. They can’t do
that job, however, if they’re getting
damaged themselves. Companies
that start with a well-made pallet,
educate their employees on proper
handling, and use pallet protection
products as appropriate will see results that even
senior executives will notice: lower supply chain
costs and higher efficiency. ;