Understanding Plastic Pallet Designs
20 May 2015
When it comes to choosing plastic pallets, you need to consider which type is most suitable for your business. You will generally be looking at either nestable or stackable pallets, but within the categories there are a variety of sizes and design options to choose from. As well as factoring in the type of pallet that you require, you also need to consider the cost implications. There are a number of pallets available that are designed to accommodate all budgets and business needs.
Benefits of Nestable Pallets
These types of pallets can be put inside each other when they’re not in use, which saves space both during transportation and in the warehouse. They create an efficient and safe stack that reduces the amount of floor space needed and so decreases the cost of storing and transporting empty pallets.
Nestable pallets create an efficient distribution process, as more pallets can be fitted on to the trucks. This in turn limits the environmental effects, as fewer trucks and journeys are required to transport the pallets back to the original source. This helps to reduce the overall costs of the pallets, as they can easily be stored rather than having to buy new pallets every time.
Choosing nestable pallets is a good option for companies which are distributing goods, either within one country or globally, as they are efficient for use in both trucks and ships. They can be utilised by a range of different industries, including pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, automotive and other consumer goods brands.
The Advantages of Stackable Plastic Pallets
Stackable pallets are particularly lightweight but do have a higher initial cost than nestable plastic pallets. The bottom of these pallets has a solid base, which enables you to stack them on top of each other. They can be stacked in this way when both full and empty, as the secure bottom has been designed to protect goods. The bottom of stackable pallets can be configured in a variety of ways, depending on the type of handling equipment in operation and how the actual pallet is to be used.
They are especially useful in sectors that utilise racking or need to double-stack, including within warehousing facilities. These pallets are most often used within a closed loop system, as it is more cost-effective to return the empty pallets as part of the distribution process. They take up more space when empty than a nestable pallet, but their advantages mean they’re still useful in specific industries. Their heavy-duty nature makes them ideal for exporting a variety of consumer goods, as well as food, drink and pharmaceutical products.
As well as looking at the various types of plastic pallets that are available, you also need to factor in the cost. Nestable pallets are generally cheaper, but there are still stackable pallets that will meet your budget and requirements. Look at the overall long-term costs, as plastic pallets are durable and can be reused numerous times, reducing the cost per unit.
Once you understand the different styles of plastic pallets, it will be considerably easier to choose the right option. By selecting the right type of pallet, your distribution process will run far more smoothly.