By Paul W. Norman for Cantarero Pallets, Inc/January 2023
Wooden pallets are a widely used logistic carrier around the world. They are an essential link in the supply chain, storage and transport. According to the latest market research conducted by analysts, the size of the wooden packaging market will increase by over 4% in the period 2023-2026.
Due to the development of e-commerce and the increase in the number of logistics centers, in many countries in Europe, there is an increasing demand for wooden packaging standardized as EPAL pallets, but also pallets made to order for a specific product.
Mass production of standard wooden pallets
Currently, we offer our customers a product that immediately convinces with its quality. To guarantee quality every time, automated solutions are great in this matter, due to the saving of materials and repeatability and consistency of production.
The efficiency of our machine production lines allows us to respond faster to customer requests. With 2-3 employees, the new robot system produces 320-340 pallets per hour, up to 4,500 per day in two shifts. The new system includes many stations equipped with robots, which undoubtedly increases flexibility and reduces the required number of service employees.
Wooden pallets, i.e. packaging according to a special design
We also manufacture custom-made wooden pallets, which are delivered with specific options and adaptations for a given task. Custom-made pallets are produced on a semi-automatic line and manually if needed. Each of the pallet elements is made separately, and later a separate line, the individual elements are combined into a complete pallet.
To further streamline production processes, a special robot can be installed. The robot's work is expected to fully meet expectations because it could significantly accelerate our production and ensure high-quality thanks to 100% repeatability of performed actions. Currently, it can produce over 1,500 pallets every day!
Production of unusual pallets and their impact on business
1. Packaging optimization
Sometimes the product requires special solutions. Sometimes these are extremely heavy products, having large sizes, then special pallets are needed to withstand the weight of such a product.
Custom-made wooden pallets are delivered according to specific specifications to fully match them to your product. It also includes matching appropriately durable material, unusual construction or individual dimensions. Wood gives freedom in the design of even the most complex products. You can read more about the advantages of special pallets in this blog article.
2. Cost-effectiveness and product safety
Packaging manufactured to product size is very profitable. It gives tangible savings in the supply chain in terms of product protection as well as transport costs. Also, the overproduction of materials is avoided in this way, which undoubtedly favors sustainable development policy around sustainability. Packaging designed for the needs of an individual product facilitates the management of warehouse space without causing an unnecessary waste of space.
3. Other supply chain requirements
Designing pallets on a special order favours the production being optimized at the client's request. Sometimes it may be necessary to design such a packaging so that, for example, the pallet can fit a specific quantity of the product, e.g. 200 pieces — then we easily adapt to the customer.
What does the process of creating and producing a custom pallet look like?
# 1 Step
At the initial stage, we collect all data about the product, packaging method, weight, type of transport, storage method, etc. in a situation where specialists are to design new packaging. The customer can also come with a specification, then we start production on its basis.
# 2 Step
It concerns the implementation of the preliminary design and its optimization in terms of structure and strength.
# 3 Step
During this time, test patterns shall be involved. We create samples to check how the pallets will react during storage and transport. All this is so that the quality of the packaging does not disappoint our customer.
# 4 Step
Data analysis. We collect information after tests, how the product reacted, whether everything is going according to plan, or maybe you need to make some corrections to the design.
# 5 Step
If we find after analysis that some changes need to be made, then we make corrections in the project. Although this is extremely rare, we do not want to skip any stage of production.
# 6 Step
During this time, a trial batch of wooden pallets is produced and finally checked.
# 7 Step
Final Production. We are convinced that the packaging meets all quality standards, which is why we are introducing the product to mass production.
At every stage of production of the pallets, we provide the full support of our specialists from the R&D department as well as sales representatives.
To sum up, what are the main advantages of wooden pallets?
Unusual construction pallets increase the efficiency of the supply chain - which measurably affects savings. Every project made by us is free, so you do not incur additional costs.
The design is not always more expensive than the standards - it turns out that with large production, non-standard pallets bring additional savings instead of costs.
The design does not prevent you from subjecting the pallets to a packaging recovery service. By using non-standard pallets that you own, you can recover and repair such pallets to reuse them in circulation.