The undersung hero of the supply chain, the pallet is an intrinsic part of many operations across multiple industries and all over the world. Palletized shipping is just what it sounds like: using pallets to ship goods. Though it is a method we may take for granted, there are actually a lot of interrelated freight unloading factors to be considered when a company is looking to set up palletized shipping and, most importantly, make it cost-effective.

What Makes a Pallet

Many people aren’t aware that there is actually quite a bit of variety among pallets. Manufactured using different materials, in different sizes, and for different purposes, pallet production and use are regulated by a set of international standards. These standards are set by the ISO (International Organization for Standardization). There are also regional standards, as set forth by the U.S. and Australian and European entities.

How to Make Palletized Shipping Work

Palletized shipping can be a cost-effective way to manage, organize, and transport your products to any place on the planet. Here are some tips for ensuring efficient pallet shipping. 

• Secure your items properly. Wrapping and other methods of keeping your products clean, safe, and secure during transport is direly important. Make sure you know what to use (and how much of it) to sufficiently protect your cargo.
• Take labeling seriously. Though it’s a simple detail, inadequate labeling can end up costing you. Make sure that every pallet in every shipment is clearly and uniformly labeled.
• Distribute loads evenly. Not only do your goods need to be properly loaded onto your pallets, your pallets need to be loaded the right way in order to ensure that they stay put during transport. Figure out your load distribution requirements and determine how high you can safely stack your pallets during transit before contracting a shipping company.

Good Pallet Management

Behind the logistics of proper packing, labeling, and loading there must be good management. Bad decisions, when it comes to the palletized shipping, can lead to lost production and subsequent lost profits. Mismanagement and disorganization often results in increased loading and unloading time, inconsistent product quality and delivery times, compromised safety, as well as other costly and time consuming issues. Your pallet shipping management plan should be customized to your unique situation — from the layout of your warehouse to the geography of your shipping destinations. The right plan should help you reach your goals faster and make things easier for you on a daily basis.