The Merits of Reconditioned Pallets

Changes in recent decades have meant that the timber industry has begun to make an impressive contribution to the production of more sustainable timber products. There is no doubt that reputable companies now ensure that the timber they use for timber-based products comes only from sustainable forestry. This is obviously a step in the right direction after years of ignorance and lack of care for the environment, but there are additional ways that your company can make sure that the timber products they use, such as pallets, make a minimal impact on the environment. One key way of doing this is to make sure yourexisting pallets are reused wherever possible or that you buy reconditioned pallets.

Throughout the UK, 90% of all new pallets are still made from timber despite the introduction of plastic pallets. Usually this timber comes from the “unwanted” parts, the parts that are not used for furniture making or building materials.

The average lifespan of a wooden pallet is between 5 and 7 years. Once a pallet is damaged there are a number of options available to ensure it is fully utilised:

· recondition it

· use it as a fuel source

· shred it into useful wood chips

· make another use for it (such as garden furniture)

So how is a pallet reconditioned?

Reconditioning or repairing a pallet is relatively simple and can be completed by an individual with the right tools. However, with the sheer scale of repair required by some companies it may make sense to contract out this work to a specialist, who can do larger numbers of repairs more speedily and more effectively.

Larger companies have machines that will disassemble pallets so that all the reusable components can be used to make new pallets, or repair damaged pallets and all the pieces that are in disrepair can be made into wood chip or fibre. The types of machines used vary from cutting wheels and discs, to band saw cutters, to hydraulic equipment. It can be quite a sophisticated operation.

By the time pallets have been produced from their predecessors and are ready to go back to their owners, or be sold on, they are as good as new. One of the benefits of buying reconditioned pallets however is that they are cheaper to produce than new ones. It is estimated that they cost between 30% and 60% of a new pallet and as such are  an appealing option.

If you want to know more about the process for repairing pallets, or you are looking to purchase reconditioned pallets then visit  Nicklin to discuss your pallet needs.

A 5-step guide to managing the use of pallets

Pallets are used to assemble, store and handle goods, transporting them to various locations. Used pallets should be considered carefully to prevent any possible injuries.  Wooden pallets are heavy, and will need to be handled with care so that they can be reused for other products.  There are some measures that you can take to make sure that you load the pallets correctly, and use them in the right way.

Here are 5 steps to help you manage your pallets safely:

1.      Suitability

Pallets are designed for moving goods and can hold fairly heavy weights, depending on what type of pallet that it being used.  It is important to load a small amount on at a time, to prevent the pallet from collapsing or breaking.

2.       Loading

Items should be packaged correctly to prevent them from breaking when being handled on the pallet.  A special platform should be used to load the items onto the pallet, and further items should be added gradually.

3.       Height Requirements

The height should generally not be bigger than the actual base dimension of the pallet. Items should be carefully assessed and measured, to ensure that they will be safe when loading onto the pallet.  This way the goods can be safely transported.

4.       Pallet Use and Maintenance

When you pick a pallet that you wish to use, double check that it is not damaged in any way. Split or stained pallets could cause damage to other products, making it a costly error.  Pallets should be carefully examined upon the delivery of any items.  If any pallets require repair they should be sent back to the manufacturer or the pallet owner.

5.       Choosing A Pallet

Wooden pallets should be chosen carefully.  They are often used many times, so they need to remain in the best possible condition. It is important to look after your own safety, and make sure that you have the right equipment with you when using the pallets. 

Pallets are most commonly manufactured as ‘two way entry’ pallets, and ‘four way entry’ pallets.  Nicklin provide pallets to suit your needs, so that your goods can be handled and transported in the best way possible.  To find out more, please visit the Nicklin website at nicklin.com.  

Why Timber Packaging Crates Are So Popular

Timber packaging crates have been in use for a number years, primarily because they are extremely durable, they are economical and they are also environmentally friendly.  The wooden crates can easily be branded or stencilled so that they can be identified easily, which is particularly important if the packaging crates are going to be shipped overseas.

Although other packaging cases may be made from metal or plastic, wood seems to be the material of choice because of its number of huge benefits.  Timber is a sustainable material as long as the wood is derived from a source where for every tree knocked down to produce wood, at least one more tree is planted.  More and more individuals as well as businesses are trying to use products which are environmentally friendly wherever possible so as to try to reduce their carbon footprint.

Another advantage of using wooden packaging, such as wooden pallets, is that the products can be used again and again.  Although they may become a little damaged over time, the broken sections of the pallets can be repaired or replaced ready for the pallet to be used again on another consignment.  The fact that the wooden pallets can be recycled time and time again renders them extremely cost efficient and therefore very popular with businesses which are looking to reduce costs.

All sorts of products can be transported on wooden crates or pallets.  Those items which need extra protection either from weather conditions or perhaps for safety reasons should ideally be stored in a timber case.  A timber case will offer more protection than a crate or a pallet because it will have vertical as well as horizontal sheathing members on the six sides of the case.  However, a crate or a pallet may be sufficient depending on the contents of the goods.

Crates, pallets and cases can all be stacked one on top of another in a neat and logical way.  A fork lift truck should be able to manoeuvre the items to the relevant destination, whether they are in a warehouse or on the back of a lorry, so that they are stacked neatly and safely.

If you are interested in packaging crates or wooden pallets then feel free to visit the Nicklin website for further information.