Pallet storage facilitates the storage of any type of merchandise. It's no surprise that it's one of the most widely used methods within companies due to its practicality and cost-effectiveness.
Pallet storage facilitates the storage of any type of merchandise. It's no surprise that it's one of the most widely used methods within companies due to its practicality and cost-effectiveness. It's recommended for most storage systems, with the exception of items with non-standard dimensions.
However, when hiring this type of storage solution, the manager may be unsure about which type to choose: plastic or wooden pallet? To help you make this decision, we'll explain a little about each of these options and their advantages within the industry.
Before we begin, it's important to note that both "pallet" and "palete" are correct. In this article, we'll use the spelling "pallet."
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Advantages of pallets
In a moment, we'll delve deeper into the differences between plastic and wooden pallets, as well as the benefits of each. First, it's important to understand what are the advantages of this storage system as a whole, regardless of the material used in its manufacture.
The great advantage is the possibility of verticalization of the site. Shelving heights can be customized to the customer's needs, allowing for optimal space utilization. Furthermore, it makes it easier to locate items and reduces inventory management costs.
-Other advantages of the pallet are:
-Reduction of man/hour cost;
-Lower maintenance costs;
-Better inventory control;
-Rationalization of storage space;
-Reduction of damage and product losses;
-Standardization of the storage location.
Plastic pallet: what are the advantages?
With the benefits of pallets in mind, it's easy to understand why managers adopt this storage system. If this is your goal, it's worth understanding the differences between plastic and wooden pallets. Let's start by discussing the former.
It is the most recommended for food industries because it meets national hygiene and sanitary specifications. This includes antimicrobial protection, which prevents the proliferation of fungi and bacteria, a rule specified within the Standardized Operating Procedures for Hygiene (POPH) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
It is much lighter than those made of wood., making them easier to handle. Their weight is consistent because they're produced from the same mold, while wooden pallets vary depending on the quality of the material used and weather conditions. Did you know that the weight of a wooden pallet can increase by up to 35% when exposed to rain or water?
Another advantage of the plastic pallet is that it does not require maintenance, only occasional cleaning. It is also not susceptible to humidity and temperature fluctuations, so it can be used in places where the temperature is different from the room temperature, such as refrigerators.
Wooden pallet: what are the advantages?
After understanding the advantages of plastic pallets, it's time to learn about an alternative storage system to this material – wooden pallets.
They are quite common in Brazilian factories because they are inexpensive to purchase and easy to repair in case of damage. Furthermore, their fast production time and resaleability make wooden pallets popular in warehouses.
Compared to the plastic pallet, made of wood is more ecologically responsible. The materials used in its construction can come from old pallets or recycled pallets. It's very common to use old models, but in good condition, to build new wooden pallets.
What motivates many managers to opt for wooden models is their repairability. If something damages the product, it doesn't need to be thrown away, as is often the case with plastic ones. Most types of wood can be reused, and the pallets are manufactured separately. This means replacements are only partial, as only the broken boards need to be removed.
However, some care must be taken with wooden pallets. National regulatory standards govern this type of product, but dynamic and automated systems require extra care. Characteristics such as wood hardness and minimum thickness must be strictly followed. for the system to function properly.
How to choose?
Before making a decision, it's important to consult the manufacturer about the pallets' load capacity, as well as the support points that will interact with the storage structure and the forklift. This information varies depending on the system and is essential for pallet maintenance.
Unfortunately, some companies don't take safety seriously and sell low-quality pallets. In other cases, there's little or no attention to quality maintenance and shelf life before use. Be very careful with this, as Incorrectly sized or damaged materials can cause accidents and compromise the operation of the storage system.
With these tips, you'll have all the information you need to make an informed decision. Whether you choose wooden or plastic pallets, Bertolini Storage Systems has the best solutions in its portfolio.
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