To an untrained eye, a pallet is a pallet. For those that understand the importance of design and logistics, then you know that a pallet is much more.  Pallets have an important job in your business. They protect your products while they make it to their destination and can increase efficiency across all manufacturing processes- or slow it down.

There are many pallet companies to choose from on the market. It can be hard to know how to differentiate them from each other or know which one would be the most beneficial to you and your needs. Choosing the wrong company can lead to many problems including- higher costs, in-transit damage, poor quality, and higher product losses.

In this article, we will discuss the four tips to consider when choosing between pallet companies

The first step in choosing between pallet companies is knowing what you need. Have a good understanding of what is going to work for your products and business operations. All pallet companies do not produce the same types of pallets, so it is good to know a baseline before reaching out to get a quote.

New vs. Recycled

The biggest advantage of recycled pallets is that they are sold at a much lower price. There is greater availability for standard-sized pallets because of how often they are utilized. That means if you need standard pallets, going the recycled route might be ideal for you. The downside to recycled pallets is that they fail more often than new pallets do. When pallets fail, there is an increase in in-transit damage and product loss. Depending on if you are saving more than you lose, would determine if recycled pallets are sustainable for your business.

New pallets are the more dependable of the two because the wood has never been used before. They have not endured the wear and tear that the transportation industry can cause. With new pallets, you can rest assured that your pallets are built specifically for your products with proper nail placement and fasteners. New pallets are also free of mold and other contaminants that are likely to be found on recycled pallets. Starting with new pallets, you can store them inside to prevent mold from forming and increase the longevity of your pallets.

Standard vs. Custom Pallets

As stated above, standard-sized pallets are abundant within the market and can be used for a myriad of goods. If your product fits safely on a standard-sized pallet, then it makes your life a little bit easier. If you have a product that needs unique specifications, then custom-built pallets are your best bet. New pallets can be made to the exact requirements of your supply chain needs.

Design

Working with pallet companies that have designers can be a big benefit to you. The designers and engineers can look at your products and the route that they normally follow in transit, to find the best packaging for you. Wood packaging is not one size fits all and when you invest in packaging early, it can save you money on products going to waste. Cutting corners may save money in the beginning, but it will not work in the long term.

Supply of Pallets

It is important to know which pallet companies are going to have enough supply to make deliveries consistently. Your production line is dependent on the pallets you ordered showing up on time to keep the timelines you have set. Not all pallet companies can be consistent 100% of the time. Disruptions can happen for several reasons, such as too many orders for their production capabilities, labor and fiber shortages, and natural disasters. It is important to work with pallet companies that have backup plans in place and are big enough to manage the supply of pallets that you need.

Conner Industries has fourteen locations across the nation, where one million board feet of wood is processed every single day. When it comes to wholesale pallets, we have what you need. We can outsource to other plants if one is out of commission or in emergency situations, so your production line never stops!

Changing Demands

The pallet company you choose needs to have the room to be flexible if your demands increase. Check that your order does not have them at their maximum capability. There needs to be wiggle room in case your demand increases. Research the pallet companies to see how big they are and what their output capacity is. If you are interested in the long-term and want to establish contracts, only consider mid-sized pallet companies that are financially and economically stable. Stability is incredibly important when it comes to something as integral as pallets.

Location is a key factor when choosing which pallet companies you want to partner with. Shipping distance can drastically increase your overall costs. It also adds to the shipping time, so if you need something quickly it might not be a possibility.

Fast and reliable is what you want from pallet companies. Check to see what their delivery radius is, and which location will be manufacturing your pallets. You can also ask what their on-time delivery rate is to their current customers. This will show you what kind of accuracy you can expect with your pallet deliveries.

How Many Years in Business

The number of years in business can be a good indicator of how trustworthy each of the pallet companies is. It is not the only thing to look at of course, but it can give you reassurance of how much experience they have in the industry.

Customer Service

Good customer service is the cornerstone of a good business. You should feel like your company is a priority to the pallet companies you work with. You should know and enjoy communicating with your point of contact.

When assessing your relationship think of these questions:

1. Do they communicate with you clearly and consistently?
2. Do they address concerns quickly?
3. Do they answer any questions you may have?
4. Do they provide feedback and help with your logistical problems?

If you answered yes to these questions, then you are collaborating with customer centered pallet companies.

Conner Industries has over 40 years of experience in the pallet manufacturing industry. We provide standard-size and custom pallets for our customers. Along with crates and integrated industrial packaging, we can help with all your product transportation packaging needs. Reach out and work with our team of knowledgeable and experienced staff to see how we can help you today!