Plastic Pallets Center

2011-02-01T09:09:00.000-08:00

Craemer plastic pallets meet

highest hygiene demands

of food and drink industry

Craemer have developed a range of plastic pallets that meet the highest hygiene demands of the food, meat and drink processing industry, reports the Grocery Trader magazine.
The Craemer TC totally closed deck plastic pallet offers strength and impact resistance due primarily to its material content and unique patented welding process that totally seals the lower deck and rim areas to prevent ingress of contaminants such as liquid and bacteria into the pallet structure. The flat, smooth outer surfaces can be easily cleaned.
Craemer’s new lightweight ‘D’ range of plastic pallets, weighing in at only 15kg make it easy and safe to manually handle or integrate into storage systems requiring high loading capacities. The low cost entry level version offers exceptional quality at only £27.00.
What adds to the uniqueness of Craemer plastic pallets is that they are tested to the extreme and can be supplied with a combination of specific features to produce a bespoke highly rated safe load carrier that offers longevity in service.

2011-01-05T02:26:00.000-08:00

Plastic Pallets the choice for Kettle Chips

Kettle Brand Chips will begin shipping its products throughout the U.S. on Intelligent Global Pooling Systems iGPS' all-plastic pallets with embedded RFID tags, starting immediately.

Founded in 1978, Kettle Brand Chips pioneered the kettle-cooked style with its all natural hand-cooked potato chips. Growing at a record pace, the company offers a wide variety of all natural snack foods including Kettle Brand® Potato Chips and Kettle Brand Handcrafted Nuts.

"Our decision to switch to iGPS was based on our desire to upgrade the quality of pallet carrying our products and to utilise a more environmentally sustainable solution than wood," says Joe Iagulli, Vice President of Supply Chain for Kettle Brand.

"iGPS' solution fulfills both of our objectives, and we know that our retail partners will appreciate this value enhancement to our supply chain."

In just four years of operation, iGPS has revolutionized the way goods are being shipped throughout the North American supply chain. Its lightweight, 100 percent recyclable all-plastic pallet is rapidly replacing wood as the platform of choice among the world's most innovative companies.

Switching from wood pallets to lighter-weight iGPS plastic pallets yields game-changing operational savings. Studies performed by iGPS customers consistently show bottom-line savings of up to $2 per pallet load, thanks to lower transport costs, dramatically reduced production downtime, larger loads per pallet, reduced product damage and fewer rejected loads.

Aside from providing proven operational savings, iGPS is setting a new standard in pallet hygiene, as its pallets are easily cleaned, do not absorb fluids that can cross-contaminate food and never require treatment with toxic pesticides or fungicides.

In fact, iGPS' pallet is the world's only rental pallet to receive Food Equipment Certification from NSF International, the foremost testing and certification authority with respect to food-related equipment.

More Manufacturers Moving to Plasitc Pallets

2010-12-28T02:08:00.000-08:00

Packaging manufacturer trades splinters for stability, switches to plastic pallets

Plastic pallets cut costs, increase reliability for customer, writes Josh Bond, Contributing Editor of 'Modern Materials Handling.'

Automation demands consistent materials handling equipment, a characteristic not often associated with wood pallets. By introducing plastic pallets, one packaging company improved productivity, maximized trailer space, and made life easier for customers and employees.

Huhtamaki, one of the world’s leading packaging companies, produces high-quality plastic food packaging in 13 manufacturing plants throughout North and South America. At its New Vienna, Ohio, plant, Huhtamaki used wood pallets to ship cartons of cups and lids from its facility to its customer in standard 53-foot trailers. The company and its customers were experiencing wood pallet breakage that was causing downtime in automated systems.

Huhtamaki decided to seek a shipping solution that was more hygenic, easier for employees to handle, and more cost efficient on a per-trip basis. After partnering with a customer, the company collaborated on a reusable plastic pallet program for shipments (www.orbiscorporation.com).

A provider worked with Huhtamaki to analyze the product flow and recommended a stackable 44-inch x 51-inch reusable plastic pallet. The footprint optimized unit loads and maximized space in a standard 53-foot trailer, resulting in more efficient shipments. The stackable design offered the durability and stability required for storage and transportation.

Since implementing reusable plastic pallets, Huhtamaki has eliminated recurring costs associated with wood pallets. It has effectively reduced its pallet cost-per-trip by at least 50%–a figure that will only increase over the service life of the pallet. Other results include less automated system downtime, reduced risk of product damage, reduced waste associated with pallet disposal and repair, and improved product flow.

With dimensional consistency, the new plastic pallet offers repeatable performance for Huhtamaki and its customers.

Ken's Foods Goes Plastic Pallets

2010-12-22T02:00:00.000-08:00

ORLANDO, Florida. Intelligent Global Pooling Systems (iGPS Company, LLC) reveals that Ken’s Foods will begin shipping its retail products throughout the U.S. on iGPS’ all-plastic pallets with embedded radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, commencing in early 2011.

Ken’s Foods produces and packages over 400 varieties of dressings and sauces, including Ken’s Steakhouse Salad Dressings.

“Our decision to switch to iGPS was based on our desire to upgrade the quality of pallet carrying our products and to utilize a more environmentally sustainable solution than wood,” said Bob Merchant, Chief Operating Officer of Ken’s Foods, Inc. “iGPS’ solution fulfills both our objectives, and we know that our retail partners will appreciate this value enhancement to our supply chain.”

“We are delighted to welcome Ken’s Foods to the iGPS family,” says Bob Moore, Chairman and CEO of iGPS. “We are great fans of Ken’s products and are especially pleased that they will now ship on our pallet.”

In just three years of operation, iGPS has revolutionized the way goods are being shipped throughout the North American supply chain. Its 100 percent recyclable pallets are 30 percent lighter than pallets made of wood and are vastly better for the environment. Unlike wood pallets, iGPS pallets do not absorb fluids that can cross-contaminate food, and because they cannot harbor wood-boring insects, iGPS pallets never require treatment with toxic pesticides. Thanks to embedded RFID tags, shippers and receivers can track shipments throughout the supply chain.

Upgrade to an electric pallet jack

2010-12-14T01:29:00.000-08:00

Pallet Jacks? -Go Electric!

There are many reasons in which you’d want to consider purchasing an electric pallet jack for your warehouse. In certain environments it is not very practical for you to use manual hand held pallet jack trucks. For example, if you work in the shipping industry you will need to buy a very large pallet jack trucks and forklifts in order to unload containers from the freight carrier ships.

Because in today’s economic climate it may not make a lot of sense for you to consider the acquisition of a new electric pallet jack. One of the best ways to acquire material equipment which you need for your warehouse operation is to consider the purchase of used or electric pallet jack trucks which have been refurbished. Electric pallet jack trucks which have been refurbished by the manufacturer have sometimes come up with their own names such as “official certified used pallet jack trucks”. One of the best parts about having the unit refurbished by the manufacturing firm is the fact that they will go ahead and check out each individual part. If certain parts on the electric pallet jack truck need to be replaced, they will go ahead and place them before they sell the unit to the next owner. Another great benefit of doing things this way is that a lot of times they will also give you the same warranty which is equivalent to buying a new electric pallet truck. This can save you a lot of money as you will not have to purchase pallet jack parts.
HX10 Series 21.25" x 45" Electric High-Lift Pallet Jack
Overall Rating:

If your going to buy an electric pallet truck, there are many different brands which you can look at. Some of the more well-known brands of pallet jack trucks include Mitsubishi, Clark, Yale, and Toyota material handling USA. Most things you need to look for when you are buying pallet jack truck is not only the price of the actual unit but how much it will cost to maintain the unit as well. Various units will have different costs when it comes to the cost of replacement parts such as hydraulic oil filter.

2010-12-08T06:08:00.000-08:00

Craemer’s new plastic pallets readily accepted

Plastic pallets are an integral part of many food and drink logistic chains. Since the launch of the new Craemer TC – Totally Closed deck plastic pallets and lightweight ‘D’ range, the products have created great interest in the market place followed by successful sales.
The TC’ – Totally Closed deck plastic pallet has been specifically designed for hygienic applications and also to over come the inherent problems associated with many competitor type products.
Many previous closed deck pallets available prior to the launch of the Craemer TC were flawed in design, with “seam” integrity being suspect and prone to being easily damaged or fractured. This allows water and other by-products to ingress into the housing and become potential traps for bacteria that could contaminate products in transport. Also, trapped liquid can also increase the tare weight of the pallet and if this becomes frozen, it can expand causing the pallet to crack, weakening the structure further and making the pallet totally unsuitable for use in high hygiene areas.
Totally closed deck pallets are often used in food processing areas, where chilled areas or cold stores are an integral part of the process, so they have to be able to perform consistently in these areas over a sustained period of time. As the cracks open further and the pallet is handled, it is possible that liquids or dirt could escape from the inner of the pallet to contaminate any material that they may come into contact with.
Craemer’s ‘TC’ – totally closed plastic pallets are designed to meet the highest hygiene demands, offering strength and impact resistance due primarily to its material content and unique patented welding process, sealing the lower deck and rim areas to prevent ingress of contaminants such as liquid and bacteria into the pallet structure. The flat, smooth outer surfaces can be easily cleaned. Craemer has invested in technology that can measure and analyse the condition of the weld and have subjected the TC pallet to a large number of in-house and independent tests, both in the tool design stage and also on the finished product, to back up performance statistics. A pressure test is also incorporated into the process to ensure that the pallets are all effectively air and water tight with no possibility of liquid ingress.
The ‘D’ range of lightweight plastic pallets weighing in at only 15kg makes it easy for safe manual handling – particularly where products are being hand palletised at the end of a line, and can also contribute to significant cost savings in transport.
The low cost entry level version provides exceptional quality at an exceptional one off price of only £26.00. The wide variety of upgradeable configuration options enables the ‘D’ pallets to be transformed into bespoke products that can be integrated into various types of handling applications or integrated into storage systems that require high loading capacities.
Both pallets are available with 3 or 5 runners and feature a 7mm upper deck rim, with a wide variety of upgradeable configuration options that enable pallets to be transformed into a bespoke, highly rated load carrier with RFID tracking.
Craemer are so confident in the quality and reliability of the new pallets, it is prepared to supply sample ‘TC’ and ‘D’pallets for demonstration and evaluation handling the customers own products.
Craemer UK Ltd Steve Penney Tel: 01952 607800 email: Click here to email this company www.craemer.com

Plastic Pallets – The Future of Shipping Materials

2010-12-07T00:46:00.000-08:00

Plastic Pallets – Shipping's Ace

The future of shipping materials is changing, but don’t worry bubble wrap isn’t going anywhere.
What I am writing about is a change in the shipping industry choice of materials. In the United States the majority of goods are transported on semi-trucks through the vast interstate system. Goods that end up in stores are packed on pallets which have been designed to work in this trucking system.
The system is effective and it works well, goods are transported and pallets which can easily be loaded or unloaded with the proper equipment.
At least that’s how it used to be but now the system is changing because of the materials used in pallets – wood.
The end of wood pallets and the beginning of plastic pallets
The era of wood pallets is winding down, mostly because of environmental concerns. Wood pallets represent a large portion of the timber being consumed today, which has very serious impacts on the environment.
The lumber industry still uses outdated methods of rapid deforestation to harvest the wood needed for pallets. Also because the consumption rate of timber was larger than the replenishing rate of the forests, the price of wood began to rise. It was these factors which combined to create an industry ready for The end of wood pallets and the beginning of plastic pallets.
The Positives of Plastic Pallets
Once the first plastic pallets were introduced to the industry their added benefits became obvious. Plastic unlike wood will not retain the odors of the materials being shipped. This makes plastic pallets ideal for food or other aromatic goods, because they can be used with any different types of materials without odor stains.
Plastic pallets are also easier to clean because they can get wet without the fear of rotting. Plastic pallets also have a longer lifespan than wood, and when they do break or get dropped they can easily be recycled.
The Future of Plastic Pallets
Plastic pallets were designed with the future in mind. Plastic pallets can be easily outfitted with RFID chips, the latest technology in inventory tracking. They can also be scanned with bar codes to comply with current tracking methods. Plastic pallets are also display ready which means that they can be placed straight on the display floor. This saves time and money by skipping the inventory steps.
Plastic pallets are stronger, more environmentally friendly and last longer than wood. If businesses aren’t using plastic pallets then they are losing money.
For more information on plastic pallets visit http://www.polymerlogistics.com

Platic Pallets More Durable says top Agency

2010-12-05T02:53:00.000-08:00

The United States manufactures 500 million pallets each year, and 2 billion wood pallets are in use at any time, according to Kent University. Wood pallets, however, are expensive to maintain, so looking for an alternative is financially and environmentally beneficial to the world.

Pallets made from recycled plastic are the most common alternative to wooden pallets. Pallets from this material are more durable during transport and over 10 years have the lowest maintenance cost of any alternative, according to the Environmental Protection Agency

Plastic Pallet and Crate re-cycling

2010-12-02T03:21:00.000-08:00

Recycling plays as integral part in sustaining the world and environment which we live in, and the more we are able to re-use goods, the better. This leading equipment management business is an eco-conscious company, dedicated to encouraging the recycling of goods, products and materials wherever possible. They are able to provide essential Returnable Transit Equipment (RTE) and services to all customers requiring such apparatus, enabling people everywhere to not only contribute to a greener environment, but also receive a cost-effective method of transporting their goods. Through recycling plastic pallets, trays, crates and roll cages, you'll be able to enjoy a range of benefits for your business.

Many industries require large quantities of goods to be transported all across the country. Both storing and transporting these products can be a mammoth task, and without the proper equipment to aid within the process, the procedure can be highly time-consuming, and can possibly present a danger to those involved.

Pallets are an excellent method of storing and lifting goods, significantly easing the transportation process for all involved. Plastic pallets are highly advantageous, as they act as a strong and rigid platform for goods to be stored upon. As the presence of water or damp will not compromise this rigidity, they are able to remain strong and reliable despite any moist conditions which they may come into contact with.

The nature of plastic pallets makes them ideal within the food industry, as they can be easily washed and sterilised, to create the most hygienic conditions.

The pallets which they provide come in a variety of sizes, to suit the nature of your business. They are available in standard sizes of 1200 x 1000mm, or 1200 x 800mm. If you require any other dimensions, they are able to supply these on request.

As the plastic pallet service which this company offer is available on a rental basis, you'll be able to gain the advantages of being able to have access to appropriate equipment when you need it, without having to pay more for purchasing such apparatus. This enables them to effectively recycle the pallets, supplying them to a range of companies when required, and eliminating the need for businesses to buy and discard the pallets once they have been used and finished with.

If you would like to know more about this specialist recyclable plastic pallets service, feel free to get in touch with the experts today through their online contact form.

Written on behalf of PPS, suppliers of plastic pallets

2010-10-29T04:14:00.000-07:00

ROBOTIC PALLETISING

Geku Automation of Rochester, Kent, have recently installed a number of palletising systems into the agricultural and aggregate industries.

Each cell normally consists of a high payload robot picking a product from an input conveyor which is then stacked on a pallet station either to the left or right hand side of the robot. Once a pallet is complete, a fork truck is able to enter the cell through a light curtain to remove the finished stack while the robot safely loads the other side.

To compensate for the changes in product orders, the robot is completely flexible and pallestisng patterns can be very quickly and easilly changed.

Geku Automation have developed a number of gripping solutions to cope with variable bag types. A mechanical claw gripper can be used for fast pick and place, or a powerful vacuum head can be utilised for more delicate picking. A unique combination gripper is also available which uses vacuum for an initial delicate pick, after which a pneumatic side clamp system is operated to stabilise the sack, allowing fast transit into the placement area.

Depending on the product and gripper type used, a Geku Automation palletising cell can stack over 34 Tonnes per hour. Cycle times of 2.6 seconds have been fully proven on aggregate sacks weighing 25kg.

A specially designed Geku gripper can also handle the most delicate of products.

2010-10-28T00:49:00.000-07:00

Plastic- Security and Hygiene

The operator of the first pallet rental service providing all plastic pallets with embedded radio frequency identification tags, Intelligent Global Pooling Services (iGPS Company), recently announced that it will be offering a new, premium level pallet rental service.
The premium service, iGPS bios™, is designed specifically to meet the needs of the life sciences and pharmaceutical industries. iGPS bios will provide a level of pallet security and hygiene that in unable to be achieved with pallets created out of organic materials such as wood.
“The pharmaceutical and life sciences industries are so critical to our economy and our well being. They deserve a shipping platform that is commensurate with their importance and consistent with the superior hygiene standards they exemplify,” explained Bob Moore, iGPS Chairman and CEO.
iGPS pallets have four radio frequency identification tags embedded in the frame which allows for tracking and tracing throughout the supply chain. iGPS has also begun to deploy Spider® AT tags, a battery powered GSM/GPRS/GPS wireless tag, that can transmit important information regarding the iGPS pallets such as defined alerts, specific events and pallet location.
An analysis of the life cycle of a pallet shows that iGPS pallets are extremely better for the environment than one-time and multi-use wooden pallets on all commonly measured metrics including ozone layer depletion, ecotoxicity and global warming.
Over the past five years, customers of iGPS have assisted in the prevention of the destruction of more than 600,000 trees, have saved more than 635,000 gallons of fuel and have prevented almost 14 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.

2010-10-28T00:35:00.000-07:00

Recycling and crate hire

Transporting their goods to and from suppliers, warehouses and clients is something that almost every business has to do. However, this can be a time-consuming and expensive activity, which can have considerable repercussions for the environment.
Not only does transportation consume large quantities of fuel but the crates used to transport individual items can be damaging to the environment. One company that specialises in returnable transit equipment (RTE) and crate hire, has designed a range of products that aim to tackle this problem.

Over the past decade, increased efficiency has been at the forefront of their businesses development. During this time they have sought to create a solution that could deal with two main issues. Firstly, the environmental harm that using timber and cardboard pallets and crates can cause and secondly, the space that these items take up when they are empty.
New to their selection of products is a range of resuable plastic pallets. These are an excellent solution for both of these problems and are suitable for use in many different industries, from catering and food transportation, through to retail.

The main benefit of choosing plastic pallets over timber or any other material is that they can be re-used time and time again.
This is of particular importance in the food industry, as timber crates can become unclean and damaged reasonably quickly. The reusable pallets can also cut down on the number of vehicles on the road at any one time.
The firm offer a comprehensive service, which ensures that businesses are able to re-use their plastic pallets. This includes a ‘wash’ service, wherein they can thoroughly clean plastic pallets that have become unclean during transit.
Details about the environmental benefits of plastic pallets can be found on the company’s website. Businesses that would like to find out how transferring to plastic pallets could be an advantage for their business or those that want to enquire about crate hire, can speak to a member of their team by filling out their online contact form.
Written by Jenny Pilley; Content Writer for Creare, specialists in internet marketing
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jenny_Pilley
http://EzineArticles.com/?Environmental-Benefits-Of-Crate-Hire&id=4803710

2010-09-21T01:26:00.000-07:00

So What's the Big Deal with Plastic Pallets?

Plastic pallets popularity and usage continues to rise. So what are the advantages over wooden pallets? Here are some of the leading pluses:

1. Consistent size and shape: Produced using injection-molding technology and with regular quality control, their weight is constant.

2. Plastic pallets, specially when used in asociation with pallet cover, they are unaffected by moisture, fat, acids, solvents, and chemicals: They will not absorb in case of accident, nor do they absorb acids and alkalis that can affect the integrity of the pallet.

3. Resistant to insects and diseases: Plastic is not a favorable environment for fungi and mould growth and termites can not infest the pallets as they do wooden ones.

4. Easy to clean: They can be repeatedly steam cleaned or washed, to remove any contamination which accumulate on the pallets over a period of time. They resist high-pressure water and steam, which makes they suitable for pharmaceutical industry and food industry. This factor makes it more hygienic in comparison to wooden pallets.

5. Safer handling: Plastic pallets don’t have sharp edges, splinters, and nails either. Using it makes handling safe.

6. Space savers: Don’t take as much space in a warehouse and during transporting.

7. Meets the export requirements: Easy and problem-free export shipment, because the plastic pallets do not require expensive sirex treatment.

8. Weighs less: As compared to a wooden pallet, an average plastic pallet weighs 25-30 % less. Therefore, less energy is required for transporting; that eventually reduces transport charges. In the event of transporting by aeroplane this is a big advantage.

9. Longer service life: It is said to be 10 times longer than of wooden pallets.

10. Weather resistant: Can be stored out of doors and does not require protection against moisture.

11. Environmental friendly: Wooden pallets use a lot of lumber. But plastic pallets are made from recycled material, which makes them environmentally friendly as well as the best, most efficicient and cost-beneficial.

2010-07-22T01:03:00.000-07:00

2010-05-13T08:51:00.000-07:00

How's the Economy?

Ask the Pallet Sector

Makers of pallets, collapsible shipping containers and totes — used to ship all types of goods — have a first-hand view of the improving economy, they said at the NA2010 trade show.

Gat Ramon put it simply. “If people are buying more, you need to move more,” said Ramon, president of Cabka GmbH, a Stuttgart, Germany-based plastic pallet company that also runs North American molding plants in St. Louis and Toronto.

“Why do people need pallets? Because the economy is better. I believe that, in the pallet business, you can tell where the economy is really running well.”

Ramon was among other executives from plastic materials-handling companies exhibiting at the show who report their business has begun to pick up as customers get rid of excess inventory and resume new production on the downhill side of the nearly two-year recession.

Cabka’s pallet business abruptly declined in the fall of 2008 and then bounced along in 2009 until rebounding sharply in the fourth quarter, Ramon said. Business is solid so far this year.

“If it will stay like this, I’m happy,” he said.

Curt Most, national sales manager of pallets for Orbis Corp., said materials handling tracks the general economy. “We’ve been following the trends of what you’ve been reading about in the paper, and when things were down, we were down. We’re seeing things slowly coming back,” he said.

John Petrofsky, owner of Exemplary Foam Inc., reports strong business at his company. “We had the best first quarter ever — best sales, best profit. The economy’s coming back,” he said. “People are buying again. We’re selling more to automotive than we have in awhile.”

Elkhart, Ind.-based Exemplary Foam fabricates polyethylene and cross-linked PE foam using water-jet cutting.

The industry converged on Cleveland for the North American Material Handling & Logistics Show, held April 26-29. Leaders of the trade association that sponsored the show were cautiously optimistic.

The Charlotte, N.C.-based Material Handling Industry of America predicts orders for materials-handling equipment — which had fallen by 37.4 percent in 2009 — will increase between 6 and 8.5 percent in 2010. In addition, the group said shipments of materials-handling equipment — which contracted by 34.4 percent in 2009 — will grow 1-2 percent in 2010.

“It is indicative that we are headed in the right direction. ‘Up’ is up, and even though it’s a long, slow climb, it feels a whole lot different from the precipitous fall we all experienced” in 2009, John Nofsinger, the association’s CEO, said at an April 27 news conference at the trade show.

Hal Vandiver, MHIA’s vice president of business development, said a reboot of the U.S. housing market, plus increased orders for consumer goods, medical products, and automotive parts, as well as public works projects, bode well for the industry.

“We’re looking forward to getting into a growth mode in the latter half of 2010, and 2011 holds the most promise,” he said. Economic growth into 2012 is likely to follow a pattern of slight growth, followed by a leveling-off period, followed by slight growth, he said.

But some plastics-related exhibitors said automakers and their suppliers are being slow to buy new pallets and collapsible containers, since they still have plenty of reusable shipping containers available after a period of sluggish sales. It’s the materials-handling version of excess capacity.

Rich Larson, national accounts manager at Milford, Ohio-based Buckhorn Inc., said automakers used to order a series of new containers for a new model launch. Now, car companies and suppliers are retrofitting existing pallets and containers, he said.

The smaller number of suppliers also hurt auto-related business, said Ron Warner, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Composite Technologies Co. LLC in Dayton, Ohio. “You have more Tier 1s and Tier 2s that are not around anymore, and that will impact the need for pallets,” he said.

Larson said the general market for reusable containers and pallets is “still a little behind, but we see it picking up.”

The food market is doing well, Larson said. At the Cleveland show, Buckhorn was showing the Caliber intermediate bulk container, with a liner bag inside, for handling liquid products. Buckhorn is expanding the IBC beyond its core market of tomato paste, into new segments such as honey, mayonnaise and food flavorings.

“We’re seeing good things happen,” Larson said. “We’ve got some good projects coming this year and if it all comes to fruition, it’ll be a good year.”

Food and retail products are big markets for plastic pallets from Orbis, based in Oconomowoc, Wis., according to Most. “Food companies seem to be doing well — slowly but surely they’re coming back,” he said.

Other exhibitors spoke of a movement within the materials-handling industry to put cost-cutting lessons they learned from the downturn to good use.

Los Angeles-based plastic crate and pallet manufacturer Rehrig Pacific Co. recently stepped up its asset-management efforts for customers including Pepsi Co., Coca-Cola Co., and Sara Lee Corp., said Midwest sales representative Leslie LeMair.

“Different players around the country use our plastics assets. They’re having a problem retrieving them. They’re experiencing loss rates that are too high to make it profitable for them,” she said.

The company has developed methods customers can use to minimize loss and help meet larger sustainability goals, she said.

Composite Technologies offers a single-use export pallet for about $10, using its experience in molding recycled plastics, which it compounds in-house. “People are gravitating more toward the lower-cost pallets for non-returnable applications,” Warner said.

2010-04-15T09:39:00.000-07:00

“Better Than Any Other Reusable Pallet Box in the Industry” claim Macro Plastics who have leveraged their expertise in manufacturing bulk plastic containers with the introduction of the IsoBin family of containers.

The IsoBin was developed with advanced innovations to optimize shipping efficiencies to cost effectively move your product around the globe.

With a standardised international footprint, IsoBins are designed specifically for worldwide transportation to be used throughout every stage of the international shipping and storage process. Combined with greater product protection and improved empty return ratio, IsoBins are one of the most efficient international shipping containers available.

IsoBin features and benefits:

· Efficient: Utilizes 97.2% of the floor space in a standard height ISO sea container and can stack 3 high.

· Lightweight: Made with injection moulded plastic, the IsoBin is 25% lighter than the standard Folding Large Container (FLC).

· Durable: Designed with a patented triple wall base for better forklift impact protection.

· Maneuverable: Designed with universal reach-thru latches, advanced dunnage attachments, and removable fork straps for greater ease of use. The IsoBin also interlocks with a standard 45”x48” US footprint.

· Environmentally Friendly: The IsoBin is a reusable and returnable container made of 100% recyclable plastic. Use of the IsoBin can help you achieve your corporate sustainability goals.

Optimised Return Density: Fully collapsible, the IsoBin can be returned 8 high in a trailer or ISO container.

To help improve shipping efficiencies even further, IsoBins are available with a number of leasing options. One-way rental programs are proven to save money when compared to expendable packaging systems. As a part of its One-Way Rental program, Macro Plastics will deliver rental containers, install the equipment necessary to track them, pick-up empty containers, and clean and sanitize them for later use.

For more information regarding the IsoBin container and service options offered by Macro Plastics, Rodney Salmon on +44(0)7860202020 or email rsalmon@macroplastics.com

2010-02-28T04:54:00.000-08:00

Plastic Pallets

Shippers Delight!

Plastic pallets are rising on an unstoppable surge of popularity among shippers. Admired for their efficiency and versatility; praised for their environmental credentials. Wood is traditional, and for reasons of initial cheapness remains popular. But plastic has the answers to the modern challenges of shippers and merchants.

Here's why:

Anyone who ships products abroad is only too aware of the ISPM 15 regulations. ISPM, is the International Phytosanitary Standard for wood packaging, an increasingly strong-arm legislation aimed at stopping the spread of wood pests between countries.

The principles are impeccable; the requirements stringent. And not surprisingly, ISPM 15 is being adopted by countries and markets throughout the world. But - and here's a core reason for their increasing popularity - plastic pallets are totally exempt from these regulations. Which is why shippers are falling in love with this versatile alternative.

Not surprising when you consider they are:

Immune to infestation and mold.
Resistant to bacterial growth and liquid absorption.
Impervious to solvents, fats, acids and noxious odours.

There are also strong environmental pluses - completely recyclable and with no demands on increasingly scare timber resources. And cost-effective and super efficient too. These modern age pallets allow for safe and easy product movement all the way along the chain from manufacturer to final customer.

But which type of pallet is best for you? Some are designed for multi-use, others for one-way shipment.

Reusable plastic pallets are made for closed loop systems - where the initial shipper gets them back for on-going use - and are rated by the number of usages or 'turns' they make before being removed from circulation.

And while the initial price of reusable plastic pallets is higher, handling costs are cut as a result of their multi-use capabilities.

For one-way shipping requirements, export pallets are a compelling solution; lightweight and cost-effective. Such is their versatility that they make for easy handling by fork lift and pallet jacks. Now manufactured at low cost, export pallets can be refurbished or recycled at the end of their life cycle.

For for the latest news, comment and advice on pallet jacks, plastic pallets, plastic pallet prices and plastic pallet covers. click over to http://www.plasticpalletscenter.blogspot.com. Mike Dunbar is a specialist writer on industry and business

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Dunbar

2010-02-09T02:46:00.000-08:00

Why Plastic Pallets

Are Winning Out

Low cost has favored wood as the primary material for making pallets but plastic pallets are now firmly in the fast lane to take over this role. For when it comes to the handling of hazardous materials and oil based liquids, plastic pallets are pre-eminent. Here's Why:

The Benefits

By far the greatest is the capacity to withstand the effects of degradation. These effects include weathering, corrosion resistance as well as attack by insects.

- Plastic pallets have a longer lifespan than wood, are stronger and more environmentally friendly.
- They are also easier to clean because they can get wet without the fear of rotting.
- Rain and rust resistant - unlike metal pallets..
- Plastic pallets are stackable. And with the the extreme precision with which they are manufactured, are easily placed in various racking arrangements, one on top of another

And since they can take wet without fear of rotting, these state of the art pallets easier to clean. Many countries and firms demand that pallets undergo cleaning or sterilization before each use. Plastic sail through this process very easily and with no ill effects.

Plastic unlike wood does not retain the odors of the materials being shipped. This makes them ideal for food or other aromatic goods. In closed loop shipping systems where the pallet is returned to the shipper, plastic is becoming more common because its durability outweighs the initial cost. These very contemporary pallets can be easily outfitted with RFID chips, the latest technology in inventory tracking. They can also be scanned with bar codes to comply with current tracking methods. All in all, if you are not yet using plastic, then your business could be losing money!.

For more information on the advantages of plastic pallets go to http://ezinearticles.com/?Plastic-Pallets-Are-Ticking-All-the-Boxes&id=3233235

Mike Dunbar is a specialist writer on industry and business.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Dunbar

Go Green - Go Plastic Pallets

2009-11-08T05:50:00.000-08:00

Pallets and containers are the fundamental products for transporting, distributing, and storing almost all products and materials.

And in the autumn issue of Plastics Business Magazine, manufacturing journalist T R Cutler notes that Green sustainable packaging solutions are as simple as reusing containers.

"Using containers and pallets made of plastic offers benefits for sustainable and efficient operations. Plastic pallets and containers are reusable and do not require treatment for pests," observes Cutler.

"The benefits of plastic pallets and containers include hygiene, constant quality and dimension, no splintering or nails, and no water absorption. Plastic pallets and containers also are weather-resistant, stack and nest for excellent space utilization, can be easily repaired or replaced, and can be uniquely colored.”

Used returnable packaging already is utilized extensively and many firms have incorporated this green initiative into their distribution system to some extent. Since almost all plastics businesses sell to other manufacturing companies, the returnable container portion of that equation provides a unit that is strong, stackable, and forklift-transportable.

With the right returnable container (often a plastic pallet container), the products are protected from damage during transportation. The used pallet container works like a fortress – if anything hits, stabs, or bumps the container, the container is strong enough to protect whatever is being stored or transported inside.

Plastic Pallets Overtaking Woooden Pallets

2009-11-02T09:44:00.000-08:00

MANY companies are making the shift from wooden pallets to plastic pallets, a decision based on sound reasoning at various levels of concern.

Here are some reasons why.

Durability

One of the most important advantages of a plastic pallet is the durability of the material over wood. This benefits the both shipper and receiver in a number of areas.

Plastic pallets won't splinter, unlike the wooden counterparts which prone to splintering during shipping. These splinters can be messy and may even create a safety hazard for handlers. Perhaps even more important, splinters have the potential to damage the goods for which the pallets are supposed to be protecting. Plastic is a highly cohesive material that is unlikely to chip during even rough transport, with no chance of large splinters breaking off.

Cost efficient.

Of course, the more durable a pallet is, the more money saved by the shipper or receiver. Wooden pallets are much more likely to break apart sooner than plastic pallets; a plastic pallet can conceivably be used for years before it has to be replaced, if it ever does.

Flexibility

In addition to their durability, plastic pallets also have the advantage of accommodating different types of goods within the same pallet. Most plastic pallets will include dividers of various sizes, allowing the pallet to be adapted to the goods that one wishes to ship or receive.

The flexibility of plastic pallets may also mean savings when it comes to transportation costs. Wooden pallets must be stacked in a certain way once emptied; plastic pallets, on the other hand, can be collapsed and fit into a much smaller space. This means that less room is used on the transport vehicle, resulting in lower costs and fewer trips.

Environmental Concerns.

Finally, consider the environmental impact of plastic and wood. While it is true that plastic will break down at a much slower rate, this simply means that a plastic pallet will be used for a much longer period of time (in fact, much, much longer).

The continual construction of replacement wooden pallets is much more harmful to the environment than plastic pallets, which can not only be used over and over for years, but they also have the potential to be recycled, and be made from recycled materials.

2009-10-21T01:43:00.000-07:00

What kind of pallet truck?

Moving large and heavy objects around your warehouse, stockroom or plant is a doddle when you use a pallet truck.

But before choosing a pallet truck you must decide if you need a power or a manual truck. A power pallet wagon will be way easier to drive than brands operated by hand and are simpler to maneuver. But there is a drawback - higher cost. So before choosing a pallet lorry work out the weight and dimensions of your largest loads.

Measure and weight your heaviest loads to find the pallet truck that can safely manage them. Determine too the size of the pallets you may be moving around and choose a truck that will accommodate that size.

Another pointer: gauge how high you’ll need to lift the pallets. Most pallet trucks are built to lift pallets up to ten inches off the ground. So before investing in a pallet truck determine the space from the ground to where the pallet needs to be located.

And remember that using a pallet truck to pick up loads higher than it is intended to handle is a major safety hazard.

2009-10-13T00:34:00.000-07:00

Waste Batteries Directive

Sparks rise in enquiries

For plastic pallet box

The new law, which comes into force in January 2010, requires battery manufacturers or a company appointed on their behalf, to collect used batteries from end users. These include commercial vehicle garages, car garages, scrap yards and civic amenity tips if requested.

Manufacturers are then obliged to take the batteries to an approved battery treatment centre or exporter for treatment and recycling.

Plastic pallet box specialist Dolav is seeing a flurry of enquiries for its products following the launch of new regulations on automotive battery disposal. Automotive battery manufacturers, waste management companies and recyclers have been talking to Dolav as they prepare to comply with the new Waste Batteries and Accumulators Directive.

Dolav, which has a 15-year track record in the automotive battery recycling industry, is confident it can assist waste battery handlers and recyclers as it has elsewhere in Europe.

"The new regulations will necessitate major investment to ensure producers - and the Battery Compliance Scheme operators - function legally. Finding the right containers to transport and store batteries will play a vital role in that process," says Dolav marketing manager Maria Plastow.

"Dolav has been involved in lead acid battery recycling for more than 15 years. Lead is valuable but dangerous in the wrong place and heavy. Sulphuric acid can be recovered safely provided it is handled with care."

Dolav's long life products, which have seen sales in the UK and Ireland hit the 400,000 mark over the past 30 years, are extensively engineered to withstand the tough world of materials handling container abuse in the recycling and industry.

"The heavy sectioned Dolav containers have very low built in stress because of the production process. Lower stress means higher impact resistance and less stress to be relieved by the searching nature of highly corrosive acids," says Maria Plastow.

"The runners on the Dolav containers are an integral part of the injection moulding process, not snap-in as on most lighter weight pallet boxes. This adds to strength and security when pallet boxes are mechanically handled and inverted to discharge contents. The Dolav containers are well within safely limits when moving the exceptionally heavy lead acid batteries.

"Future generations do not want to uncover contaminated ground or suffer from leaching of dangerous chemicals into our streams and rivers. Dolav can play its part in preventing this and making profits for the recyclers." More at: www.dolav-uk.co.uk

2009-10-02T04:01:00.000-07:00

Craemer Launch New

Lightweight D

Plastic pallet

Craemer have launched its new versatile ‘D’ range of plastic pallets.

Weighing in at only 15kg this provides a completely new generation of lightweight pallets that can be easily manually handled or integrated into storage systems that require high loading capacities.

Craemer say they are confident the unique construction of the D pallet will overcome many reservations experienced with existing conventional lightweight pallets.

The combination of options to customise this pallet to the exact specification required for an individual application, makes this pallet unique and can also contribute to significant cost savings in transport.

Specialists in the design and manufacture of plastic pallets since 1967, Craemer have evolved and developed pallets to meet customer and market demands, and the new pallet is no exception.

Manufactured from a high quality HDPE virgin grade red/brown material or quality regenerated black plastic, the standard 1200 x 1000mm D plastic pallet from Craemer is available with 3 or 5 runners that are chamfered on all approach edges for easy access and removal of hand and electric pallet truck forks. They also feature a 7mm upper deck rim, with the option to customise to include a 22mm rim.

The load capacity in two beam pallet racking can be achieved in excess of 1000 kg by using the unique reinforcement profile options in either sprung steel or glass fibre materials, providing the optimum rigidity and strength with a long service life.

The pallets have been designed to minimise dirt traps with no recesses in which dirt or liquid can collect and therefore, support hygienic working conditions in preventing possible contamination. The smooth outer surfaces of Craemer’s D pallet can easily be cleaned manually or by pallet wash machine.

Apart from the many benefits and optional features of the new D plastic pallet, along with its attractive price / performance ratio, Craemer claim to offer much more than a product. As part of its customer service, Craemer are prepared to undertake a site visit, analyse customers individual pallet applications and make a written recommendation as to which is the safest and most cost effective pallet from the Craemer range that would best suit the application.

2009-09-25T01:30:00.001-07:00

Foldable Plastic

Pallet Box

Breakthrough

MAJOR retail sector reductions in packaging and more efficient bulk distribution and storage are foreseen with GoBox 6080, a new foldable pallet box introduced by Goplasticpallets.com, Britain's leading independent supplier of plastic pallets.

Our GoBox 6080 is ideally suited for storing perishables in supermarket stores, where ease of handling and maintaining stock levels are essential," says MD Jim Hardisty.

"Its fold down sides save store workers the hassle of frequently replenishing goods and make it easier for customers to grab the products, unlike stacked boxes, which can be cumbersome and dangerous to shift.

“Distribution is easy, as the box can be placed directly in store on arrival from the supplier, so there is no need for additional packaging. Although similar boxes already exist on the market, our GoBox 6080 is competitively priced and therefore an attractive proposition to retailers.”

Goplasticpallets.com’s new folding pallet box measures 800mm (L) x 600mm (W) x 1032mm (H) when standing but with collapsible sides it folds down to a minimum height of 372mm, offering greater vehicle-fill for return journeys to the supplier and reduced transport costs.

The GoBox 6080 offers a number of resourceful features including label holders on all four sides, the option of branding with a company name or logo, RFID tags to facilitate tracking, and lids are available upon request.

Goplasticpallets.com was established in 2001 and is a division of All Pallets Ltd. Since its inception, Goplasticpallets.com has fast become the UK’s leading suppliers of plastic pallets.

The company now stocks in excess of 75 core product ranges and model variations, offering a wide choice of pallet features and colour options. Coordinated from its base in Eastbourne, East Sussex, Goplasticpallets.com fulfils 99% of all orders immediately from stock. It is the sole UK distributor of Belgian-made IPS pallets and has close links with other manufacturers across Europe and Asia.

2009-09-11T01:43:00.000-07:00

PALLETS are made of plastic, cardboard, or wood. Wood pallets are very cost- effective but have problems like fungus, nails and splinters, pests and insects. They are also difficult to dispose of, and not surprisingly are being increasingly replaced with plastic pallets.

Being light weight, recyclable, insulating and environmentally friendly,thermoplastic pallets are winning popularity. Another plus is they do not have the problem of being infested with insects.

Pallets are now being manufactured using very advanced technologies to make them stronger and more durable. Some are also insulated, making them ideal for storing perishables. Pallets should be ideally FDA/UDSA compliant, UL fire rated, hygienic, and easy to clean.

There are also many designs that can be customized in line with user requirements. Pallets can be ordered online at exclusive manufacturer websites, and the internet is a good source for comparing prices and options of various products.

2009-08-31T08:09:00.000-07:00

Plastic Pallets

and OSHA

Emergence of Plastic Pallets

Wood has been the primary material used for making pallets throughout the industrialization period due to it's low cost. However, plastic pallets are slated to take over this role due to their several advantages. When it comes to the handling of hazardous materials and oil based liquids, plastic pallets are ubiquitous.

Benefits
By far the greatest benefit are their ability to withstand the effects of degradation. These effects include weathering, corrosion resistance as well as attack by insects. It can resist rain and rust unlike metal pallets. An early disadvantage was their susceptibility to cracking as their load capacity increased. This side effect has to a great extent been nullified due to advances in technology and plastic pallets are now extremely adept at handling loads.

Many countries and firms require that pallets undergo a process of cleaning or sterilization before each use. Plastic pallets weather this process very easily and suffer no ill effects. Finally, these pallets are stackable. This means that due to the extreme precision with which they can be manufactured, they can be placed one on top of another (with or without loading) and in various racking arrangements efficiently.

OSHA guidelines regarding Spill Pallets
Spill Pallets are used to satisfy the secondary containment requirements of OSHA regarding hazardous liquids and oil based products. Plastic pallets are exclusively used for this purpose due to their no porous nature and their ability to maintain their integrity upon contact with materials such as these. Also, there is great variability in the exact type of plastic that is used for spill pallets. This allows plastic pallets to be developed for different sorts of material.

Secondary Containment
As discussed earlier, secondary containment, refers to having a "backup" storage in case the primary containers leak or suffer damage. OSHA regulations specify that the secondary containment needs to be able to handle 10% of the total volume in the primary container, or 100% of the volume of the largest container (whichever is more.)

Summary
For hazardous materials and oil carrying containers, plastic spill pallets are the only option. Even in other fields such as grocery management, plastic spill pallets are replacing wooden pallets due to their long life and space saving ability as well as the ease with which they can be moved around in a variety of ways.

Andy Clarke writes about industrial safety and industrial safety supplies such as spill pallets and spill kits. For more information on this topic please visit http://www.spill911.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_Clark

2009-08-28T01:18:00.001-07:00

New Warning - Potential Dangers

of Heat Treated Wooden Pallets

HEAT-treated debarked wooden pallets are supposed to last for life. But when it comes to repaired timber pallets this may not be the case.

That's the stark warning of Jim Hardisty, Managing Director of Goplasticpallets.com, the UK's leading independent supplier of plastic pallets, following the announcement of the proposed extension of ISPM15 Wood Packaging Regulations to all Intra-Community movements of timber pallets and packaging in Europe.

Hardisty commented: "The recent discovery of pine wood nematode in Portugal and Spain has led the European Commission to consider extending the use of ISPM15 to curb the spread of the disease, which can only be a good thing, but of real concern is whether these regulations are being adhered to.

"It's true to say the Forestry Commission now carries out spot checks on wood shipped from Portugal, but there is still a chance that untreated Portuguese wood packaging material (WPM) could slip through the net.

"UK businesses must be made aware of the dangers of using untreated wooden pallets and they must ensure that damaged timber pallets are repaired in accordance with ISPM15 regulations.

"All wooden pallets with shattered blocks, broken slats and other major damage caused in transit are required to be repaired by an approved supplier of ISPM15 compliant products to ensure that each added component is heat-treated and individually marked in accordance with the standard.

"Worryingly, according to the Timber Packaging and Pallet Confederation (TIMCON), only 841 companies in the UK are members of the UK Wood Packaging Material Marking Programme and have been assessed by the Forestry Commission to provide ISPM15 compliant products. When you compare this figure to the volume of timber pallets in circulation in the UK - approximately 45 million - the likelihood of every damaged wooden pallet being repaired by an ISPM15 compliant supplier is small.

"If you are concerned about getting caught up in the problems over ISPM15 regulations, now might be the time to consider using plastic pallets. With inter-continental shipping costs to the US and Asia running at well over £100 per 1,000kg pallet, it makes sense to invest an extra £2 or £3 per pallet - often a tiny fraction of the value of the goods being exported - and choose the plastic option."

2009-08-27T00:40:00.000-07:00

Pallet truck lifting loads

Higher than designed

a major safety hazard

PALLET trucks are a must for working around a storehouse or factory, making it far easier to transfer heavy loads. And with a pallet lorry, moving those huge and heavy pieces is a cinch.

But there are points to consider before choosing a truck. First you will need to choose if you need a power or a manual pallet truck - making this choice can help to narrow down your selections. A power pallet lorry will be far easier to manage than models which are operated by hand.

They will also be simpler to maneuver around the warehouse floor. The principal downside to a power pallet truck is their higher cost, and before picking a pallet truck you need to figure out the weight and dimensions of your biggest loads. Most warehouses and factories rearrange items of the same weight and size on a consistent basis.

Measure and weight your heaviest loads to find the pallet truck that can safely handle them. You will also need to figure out the size of the pallets to be moved around as the selected pallet wagon will have to be able to accommodate the size.

Another point to settle is the height you’ll need to lift the pallets. Most pallet trucks are built to lift pallets up to ten inches off the ground. So before picking a pallet truck, calculate the space from the ground to where the pallet should be located.

Employing a pallet truck to lift loads higher than it is designed for is a major safety hazard. If you’ll be using the pallet lorry in a small space you should be aware of the turning radius of the pallet truck. And in restricted spaces you’ll need a pallet truck capable of a high level of turning.

2009-08-26T01:03:00.000-07:00

Plastic Pallet

Makers

Fire Back

REMEMBER a few months ago, when the trade group for wood pallet makers charged that plastic pallets are a fire hazard?

The war of words is continuing today, says Don Loepp, writing in Plastics News, with a company that provides a pool of all-plastic pallets calling on the U.S. Food & Drug Administration to "launch a comprehensive investigation of wood pallets and the risks they may pose to the nation's food supply."

"Wood pallets may present a serious risk to America's food supply. The over 1 billion wood pallets in circulation in the U.S. are a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and carry other undesirable substances that can cross-contaminate food," said Bob Moore, chairman and CEO, of Intelligent Global Pooling Systems Co. LLC in Orlando, Fla.

"Wood is inherently porous and can easily absorb bacteria and fluids, creating a risk for food products where Listeria, E. coli and salmonella are a concern," he said.

Moore pointed out other issues with wood pallets -- but nothing really new, since plastic pallet makers have been making this case against wood for years.

2009-08-26T00:54:00.000-07:00

The Pluses

of Going

Plastic

CONVENTIONALLY, large wooden pallets were used in shipping products by air, sea, rail and highway. But many companies have made the shift from wooden to plastic pallets, a decision based on sound reasoning at various levels of concern.

Durability

A major advantage of a plastic pallet is the durability of the material over wood, benefiting both shipper and receiver across several areas.

To begin with, plastic pallets won't splinter, while the wooden are prone to splintering during shipping. These splinters can be messy with potential safety hazards for handlers. Splinters could also damage the goods for the pallets are supposed to be protecting. Plastic is a highly cohesive material that is unlikely to chip during even rough transport, with no chance of large splinters breaking off.

Cost efficient. The more durable a pallet the more money saved by the shipper or receiver. Wooden pallets are far more likely to break apart sooner than plastic pallets. A plastic pallet could conceivably be used for years before it has to be replaced, if it ever does.

Flexibility

In addition to their durability, plastic pallets also have the advantage of accommodating different types of goods within the same pallet. Most plastic pallets will include dividers of various sizes, allowing the pallet to be adapted to the goods shipped or received.

The flexibility of plastic pallets may also mean savings when it comes to transportation costs. Wooden pallets must be stacked in a certain way once emptied; plastic pallets, on the other hand, can be collapsed and fit into a much smaller space. This means less room is used on the transport vehicle, resulting in lower costs and fewer trips.

Lastly consider the environmental impact of plastic and wood. While it is true that plastic will break down at a much slower rate, this means that a plastic pallet will be used for a much longer period of time (in reality far longer). The continual construction of replacement wooden pallets is much more harmful to the environment than plastic pallets, which can not only be used over and over for years, but have the potential to be recycled, and be made from recycled materials.

2009-08-24T08:55:00.001-07:00

Product Refused,

Gatorade

Goes Plastic For

Immediate Gain

Gatorade's Oakland facility ships nearly 300,000 pallets of sports drink each year. So when the wooden pallets they were using began breaking down, it was a major problem, reports Allison Manning of Modern Materials Handling magazine.

The wooden pallets needed constant repair, says Gatorade process improvement engineer Brian Finegan, adding that more than 3,800 pallets worth of product were lost due to poor pallet quality in 2007.

The final push to switch to a more reliable pallet began when customer Costco refused to accept the product on the wooden pallets because of missing boards and exposed nails.

Finegan turned to a plastic pallet (iGPS, 800-884-0225, www.iGPS.net), which rented for the same amount as the wooden pallets. After a six-month feasibility trial on the plant's 32-ounce line of beverages in July 2007, an immediate improvement was seen in the way the pallets reacted to the plant's almost 25-year-old palletizers.

“Every pallet was the same dimension,” Finegan says. “They ran through perfectly and smoothly. We weren't losing product like we were on the other line.”

The completely recyclable plastic pallets are 37% lighter, weighing about 50 pounds, which saves money on fuel. Plastic pallets don't require inspection before being loaded, reducing labor costs. The plant floor is also safer, with less wood debris on the ground and less potential for injury. The results were so good that the Arizona Gatorade plant has started using the plastic pallets on four of six of their production lines.

Eight months after the 32 and 20-ounce lines switched, the plant is still reaping the benefits of the plastic pallets, with no customers refusing the product.

Since switching, Finegan has worked with the Reusable Packaging Association and Oakland-based StopWaste.org, speaking at workshops and educating other distributors about wood alternatives.

“If people really understood all the benefits of plastic and how it has tremendous impact across the board, they'd be much more willing to give it a shot.

2009-08-24T07:12:00.000-07:00

Pepsi Moves to Plastic Pallets

Environmental benefits, trackability motivate switch from wood

Three of PepsiCo’s business units are elminating wooden pallets from their supply chain in favor of plastic pallets from Intelligent Global Pooling Systems.

From April the Quaker and Gatorade business units began integrating iGPS pallets completely across all SKUs into their networks. As soon as all inventory on wood pallets turns, they plan to ship exclusively on the iGPS platform. The Tropicana chilled business converted in May.

The plastic pallets are 100 percent recyclable, PepsiCo said in a letter to customers, since old or damaged units can be remolded into newer ones. They are fire-retardant, edge rackable and 20 – 27 lbs. lighter than the average wood pooled pallet. Additionally, each iGPS pallet contains a unique RFID / bar code tag allowing for individual asset tracking through the customer’s supply chain if desired.

“PepsiCo’s Quaker, Gatorade and Tropicana business units are world-class enterprises and we are extremely pleased with the confidence they have demonstrated in iGPS,” said Bob Moore, CEO of iGPS. “We share their absolute commitment to quality, innovation and sustainability and look forward to serving their needs.”

2009-08-24T04:27:00.000-07:00

Top MD Warns of Potential

Heat Treatment Hazards.

HEAT TREATED debarked wooden pallets are supposedly life-lasting. But when it comes to repaired timber pallets this may not be the case.That’s the stark warning of Jim Hardisty, Managing Director of Goplasticpallets.com, Britain's leading independent supplier of plastic pallets, following the announcement of the proposed extension of ISPM15 Wood Packaging Regulations to all Intra-Community movements of timber pallets and packaging in Europe.

“The recent discovery of pine wood nematode in Portugal and Spain has led the European Commission to consider extending the use of ISPM15 to curb the spread of the disease, which can only be a good thing, " says Hardisty.

"But of real concern is whether these regulations are being adhered to. It’s true to say the Forestry Commission now carries out spot checks on wood shipped from Portugal, but there is still a chance that untreated Portuguese wood packaging material (WPM) could slip through the net.

“UK businesses must be made aware of the dangers of using untreated wooden pallets and they must ensure that damaged timber pallets are repaired in accordance with ISPM15 regulations.

“All wooden pallets with shattered blocks, broken slats and other major damage caused in transit are required to be repaired by an approved supplier of ISPM15 compliant products to ensure that each added component is heat-treated and individually marked in accordance with the standard.

“Worryingly, according to the Timber Packaging and Pallet Confederation (TIMCON), only 841 companies in the UK are members of the UK Wood Packaging Material Marking Programme and have been assessed by the Forestry Commission to provide ISPM15 compliant products. When you compare this figure to the volume of timber pallets in circulation in the UK – approximately 45 million – the likelihood of every damaged wooden pallet being repaired by an ISPM15 compliant supplier is small.

“If you are concerned about getting caught up in the problems over ISPM15 regulations, now might be the time to consider using plastic pallets. With inter-continental shipping costs to the US and Asia running at well over £100 per 1,000kg pallet, it makes sense to invest an extra £2 or £3 per pallet – often a tiny fraction of the value of the goods being exported – and choose the plastic option.”

2009-08-24T03:50:00.000-07:00

Plastic Pallets the Smart Answer

DO you continuously have a pile of broken, unusable wood pallets that you have to repair or replace?

Is your product getting damaged during shipment or storage because of broken wood pallets?

Do you have specific sanitation requirements that your wood pallets just aren't appropriate for?

Are you having problems getting your product through customs because of your wood pallets?

If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, plastic shipping pallets are a smart alternative for you. They are available in a wide variety of footprints and types such as nestable, stackable, rackable, fire retardant, drum, and export pallets to name a few. They are ideal for production, warehousing and distribution applications. Companies are switching to plastic pallets because they recognize the economic, ergonomic and environmental benefits that they offer.

Improved Efficiency

Less hang-ups on pallet jacks caused by wood splinters and nails.
They work well in a closed loop system as they are able to make a large number of trips before they need to be recycled.
Many versions are compatible with conveying and automated handing systems and reduce the chance of equipment jams due to substandard pallets.
Save warehouse space by stacking easily and uniformly, allowing them to be stacked higher than wood pallets. Some plastic pallet versions also nest, offering up to 4-to-1 nesting ratio over wood pallets, saving even more valuable warehouse space.
Reduction in sorting costs due to damaged pallets.
Consistent tare weights when shipping product.
Reduced time spent sweeping up wood chips and loose nails.

Reduction in Product Damage

The durability, consistent support, and smooth molded design of plastic pallets provide a more stable environment to ship and store your product on, resulting in less product damage.
They won't warp, dent, chip, splinter, rot or rust over time, all things that can affect the integrity of a wood pallet and ultimately compromise the safety of your product if they fail.
There are no nails or missing boards to deal with which can also cause product damage.

Improved Sanitation

Plastic Pallets are available in USDA/FDA approved material, making them ideal for food applications.
Most chemicals, solvents, acids, salt sprays and the like will not compromise their integrity and they don't absorb moisture; support the growth of mold, mildew or fungus; or harbor rodents or insects.
Their smooth and sometimes open designs make them easy to clean and sanitize.

Reduction in Work Injuries

Lightweight and easy to handle.
No splinters, nails or broken boards to deal with that can cause mishaps and/or injuries.
Because of the increased stability of plastic pallets, they stack better and reduce the chance of injury due to pallet failure.

Low Cost Export Pallet

Plastic pallets are approved for use in foreign countries that prohibit wood pallets because of insect problems.
They are an inexpensive alternative to fumigated wood pallets which are costly, time consuming, and DO NOT ASSURE the goods will be accepted by the E.C. countries.
They eliminate costly delays at customs due to possible rejection of wood pallets.

Increased Aesthetics

Plastic Pallets are available in smooth, contoured designs making them perfect for Point of Purchase (POP) Displays for product and are much more aesthetically pleasing to the eye of the customer.
They can be manufactured in custom colors and with identification if desired.

Recyclable

100% Recyclable.
They are easy to recycle. Many manufacturers offer recycling programs so they can be reused to make other products.
The fewer wood pallets that are used, the fewer trees are cut down to produce them and the fewer wood pallets that end up in our landfills when they are disposed of.

As you can see, plastic pallets are economically, ergonomically and environmentally a smart alternative to wood pallets that can increase your productivity, reduce product damage and work injuries, all the while, saving you money and let's not forget saving our forests. Visit DACO for more information about plastic pallets!

Lori Anderson is a Business Development Specialist and has been working in the Material Handling Business for over 18 years, in both sales and marketing areas. She currently writes about the many material handling products available that can help companies increase their productivity at http://www.DACOcorp.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lori_Anderson

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2008-12-14T03:24:00.000-08:00

We have created this privacy statement in order to demonstrate our firm and continuing commitment to the privacy of personal information provided by those visiting and interacting with this web site. We hold the privacy of your personal information in the highest regard. The following discloses our information gathering and dissemination practices for this website.

We recognize the importance of protecting your privacy and our policy is designed to assist you in understanding how we collect, use and safeguard the personal information you provide to us and to assist you in making informed decisions when using our site. This policy will be continuously assessed against new technologies, business practices and our customers' needs.

What Information Do We Collect?

When you visit this web site you may provide us with two types of information: personal information you knowingly choose to disclose that is collected on an individual basis and Web site use information collected on an aggregate basis as you and others browse our Web site.

1. Personal Information You Choose to Provide:

Registration Information
When you register for any of our products, services or newsletters you will provide us information about yourself.

Credit Card Information
If you choose to avail of our services, you may need to give personal information and authorization to obtain information from various credit services. For example, you may need to provide the following information:
-Name
-Mailing address
-Email address
-Credit card number
-Name on credit card
-Credit card billing address
-Business and home phone number

Email Information
If you choose to correspond with us through email, we may retain the content of your email messages together with your email address and our responses. We provide the same protections for these electronic communications that we employ in the maintenance of information received by mail and telephone.

2. Web Site Use Information

Similar to other commercial Web sites, our Web site utilizes a standard technology called "cookies" (see explanation below, "What Are Cookies?") and web server log files to collect information about how our Web site is used. Information gathered through cookies and Web server logs may include the date and time of visits, the pages viewed, time spent at our Web site, and the Web sites visited just before and just after our Web site.

How Do We Use the Information That You Provide to Us?

Broadly speaking, we use personal information for purposes of administering our business activities, providing the products and services you requested, to process your payment, , to monitor the use of the service, our marketing and promotional efforts and improve our content and service offerings, and customize our site's content, layout, services and for other lawful purposes. These uses improve our site and better tailor it to meet your needs.

Furthermore, such information may be shared with others on an aggregate basis. Personally identifiable information or business information will not be shared with parties except as required by law.

Occasionally, we may also use the information we collect to notify you about important changes to our Website, new services, and special offers we think you will find valuable. You may notify us at any time if you do not wish to receive these offers by emailing us at the link provided on the newsletter.

What Are Cookies?

A cookie is a very small text document, which often includes an anonymous unique identifier. When you visit a Web site, that site's computer asks your computer for permission to store this file in a part of your hard drive specifically designated for cookies. Each Web site can send its own cookie to your browser if your browser's preferences allow it, but (to protect your privacy) your browser only permits a Web site to access the cookies it has already sent to you, not the cookies sent to you by other sites. Browsers are usually set to accept cookies. However, if you would prefer not to receive cookies, you may alter the configuration of your browser to refuse cookies. If you choose to have your browser refuse cookies, it is possible that some areas of our site will not function as effectively when viewed by the users. A cookie cannot retrieve any other data from your hard drive or pass on computer viruses.

How Do We Use Information We Collect from Cookies?

As you visit and browse our Web site, the site uses cookies to differentiate you from other users. In some cases, we also use cookies to prevent you from having to log in more than is necessary for security. Cookies, in conjunction with our Web server's log files, allow us to calculate the aggregate number of people visiting our Web site and which parts of the site are most popular. This helps us gather feedback to constantly improve our Web site and better serve our clients. Cookies do not allow us to gather any personal information about you and we do not intentionally store any personal information that your browser provided to us in your cookies.

IP Addresses

IP addresses are used by your computer every time you are connected to the Internet. Your IP address is a number that is used by computers on the network to identify your computer. IP addresses are automatically collected by our web server as part of demographic and profile data known as traffic data so that data (such as the Web pages you request) can be sent to you.

Sharing and Selling Information

We do not share, sell, lend or lease any of the information that uniquely identify a subscriber (such as email addresses or personal details) with anyone except to the extent it is necessary to process transactions or provide services that you have requested.

How Can You Access and Correct Your Information?

You may request access to all your personally identifiable information that we collect online and maintain in our database by emailing us at the usual address.

What About Legally Compelled Disclosure of Information?

We may disclose information when legally compelled to do so, in other words, when we, in good faith, believe that the law requires it or for the protection of our legal rights. We may also disclose account information when we have reason to believe that disclosing this information is necessary to identify, contact or bring legal action against someone who may be violating our Terms of Service or to protect the safety of our users and the Public.

What About Other Web Sites Linked to Our Web Site?

We are not responsible for the practices employed by Web sites linked to or from our Web site or the information or content contained therein. Often links to other Web sites are provided solely as pointers to information on topics that may be useful to the users of our Web site.

Please remember that when you use a link to go from our Website to another web site, our Privacy Policy is no longer in effect. Your browsing and interaction on any other web site, including web sites, which have a link on our Website, is subject to that Web site's own rules and policies. Please read over those rules and policies before proceeding.

Your Consent

By using our Web site you consent to our collection and use of your personal information as described in this Privacy Policy. We reserve the right to amend this privacy policy at any time with or without notice.

Our Commitment To Data Security:

Please note that your information will be stored and processed on our computers in the United States. The laws on holding personal data in the United States may be less stringent than the laws of your Country of residence or citizenship. To prevent unauthorized access, maintain data accuracy, and ensure the correct use of information, we have put in place appropriate physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online.

Choice/Opt-In/Opt-Out

This site allows visitors to unsubscribe so that they will not receive future messages. After unsubscribing we will discontinue sending the particular messages as soon as technically feasible.

Surveys & Contests

From time-to-time our site requests information from users via surveys or contests. Participation in these surveys or contests is completely voluntary and the user therefore has a choice whether or not to disclose this information. Information requested may include contact information (such as name and shipping address), and demographic information (such as zip code, age level). Contact information will be used to notify the winners and award prizes. Survey information will be used for purposes of monitoring or improving the use and satisfaction of this site.

A Special Note About Children

Children are not eligible to use our services unsupervised and we ask that children (under the age of 14) do not submit any personal information to us. If you are a minor, you can use this service only in conjunction with permission and guidance from your parents or guardians.

Acquisition or Changes in Ownership

In the event that the web site (or a substantial portion of its assets) is acquired, your information would be considered part of those assets, and may be part of those assets that are transferred.

Policy Modifications

We may change this Privacy Policy from time to time. If/when changes are made to this privacy policy, we will email users who have given us permission to do so. We will post any changes here, so be sure to check back periodically. However, please be assured that if the Privacy Policy changes in the future, we will not use the personal information you have submitted to us under this Privacy Policy in a manner that is materially inconsistent with this Privacy Policy, without your prior consent

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

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Plastic Pallets Center is an online information service provided by Plastic Pallets Center subject to your compliance with the terms and conditions set forth below.

PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT CAREFULLY BEFORE ACCESSING OR USING THE SITE. BY ACCESSING OR USING THE SITE, YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH BELOW.
IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, YOU MAY NOT ACCESS OR USE THE SITE.
Plastic Pallet Center MAY MODIFY THIS AGREEMENT AT ANY TIME, AND SUCH MODIFICATIONS SHALL BE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY UPON POSTING OF THE MODIFIED AGREEMENT ON THE SITE.
YOU AGREE TO REVIEW THE AGREEMENT PERIODICALLY TO BE AWARE OF SUCH MODIFICATIONS AND YOUR CONTINUED ACCESS OR USE OF THE SITE SHALL BE DEEMED YOUR CONCLUSIVE ACCEPTANCE OF THE MODIFIED AGREEMENT.

1. Copyright, Licenses and Idea Submissions.

The entire contents of the Site are protected by international copyright and trademark laws. The owner of the copyrights and trademarks are Plastic Pallet Center, its affiliates or other third party licensors. YOU MAY NOT MODIFY, COPY, REPRODUCE, REPUBLISH, UPLOAD, POST, TRANSMIT, OR DISTRIBUTE, IN ANY MANNER, THE MATERIAL ON THE SITE, INCLUDING TEXT, GRAPHICS, CODE AND/OR SOFTWARE. You may print and download portions of material from the different areas of the Site solely for your own non-commercial use provided that you agree not to change or delete any copyright or proprietary notices from the materials. You agree to grant to Plastic Pallet Center a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, perpetual license, with the right to sub-license, to reproduce, distribute, transmit, create derivative works of, publicly display and publicly perform any materials and other information (including, without limitation, ideas contained therein for new or improved products and services) you submit to any public areas of the Site (such as bulletin boards, forums and newsgroups) or by e-mail to Plastic Pallet Center by all means and in any media now known or hereafter developed. You also grant to Plastic Pallet Center the right to use your name in connection with the submitted materials and other information as well as in connection with all advertising, marketing and promotional material related thereto. You agree that you shall have no recourse against Plastic Pallet Center for any alleged or actual infringement or misappropriation of any proprietary right in your communications to Plastic Pallet Center

TRADEMARKS.

Publications, products, content or services referenced herein or on the Site are the exclusive trademarks or servicemarks of Plastic Pallet Center. Other product and company names mentioned in the Site may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

2. Use of the Site.

You understand that, except for information, products or services clearly identified as being supplied by Plastic Pallet Center, Plastic Pallet Center does not operate, control or endorse any information, products or services on the Internet in any way. Except for Plastic Pallet Center- identified information, products or services, all information, products and services offered through the Site or on the Internet generally are offered by third parties, that are not affiliated with Plastic Pallet Center. You also understand that Plastic Pallet Center cannot and does not guarantee or warrant that files available for downloading through the Site will be free of infection or viruses, worms, Trojan horses or other code that manifest contaminating or destructive properties. You are responsible for implementing sufficient procedures and checkpoints to satisfy your particular requirements for accuracy of data input and output, and for maintaining a means external to the Site for the reconstruction of any lost data.

YOU ASSUME TOTAL RESPONSIBILITY AND RISK FOR YOUR USE OF THE SITE AND THE INTERNET. PLASTIC PALLET CENTER PROVIDES THE SITE AND RELATED INFORMATION "AS IS" AND DOES NOT MAKE ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS OR ENDORSEMENTS WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION WARRANTIES OF TITLE OR NONINFRINGEMENT, OR THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE) WITH REGARD TO THE SERVICE, ANY MERCHANDISE INFORMATION OR SERVICE PROVIDED THROUGH THE SERVICE OR ON THE INTERNET GENERALLY, AND PLASTIC PALLET CENTER SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY COST OR DAMAGE ARISING EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM ANY SUCH TRANSACTION. IT IS SOLELY YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO EVALUATE THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS AND USEFULNESS OF ALL OPINIONS, ADVICE, SERVICES, MERCHANDISE AND OTHER INFORMATION PROVIDED THROUGH THE SERVICE OR ON THE INTERNET GENERALLY. PLASTIC PALLET CENTER DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE SERVICE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE OR THAT DEFECTS IN THE SERVICE WILL BE CORRECTED.
YOU UNDERSTAND FURTHER THAT THE PURE NATURE OF THE INTERNET CONTAINS UNEDITED MATERIALS SOME OF WHICH ARE SEXUALLY EXPLICIT OR MAY BE OFFENSIVE TO YOU. YOUR ACCESS TO SUCH MATERIALS IS AT YOUR RISK. PLASTIC PALLET CENTER HAS NO CONTROL OVER AND ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY WHATSOEVER FOR SUCH MATERIALS.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

IN NO EVENT WILL PLASTIC PALLET CENTER BE LIABLE FOR (I) ANY INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR INDIRECT DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF PROGRAMS OR INFORMATION, AND THE LIKE) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE SERVICE, OR ANY INFORMATION, OR TRANSACTIONS PROVIDED ON THE SERVICE, OR DOWNLOADED FROM THE SERVICE, OR ANY DELAY OF SUCH INFORMATION OR SERVICE. EVEN IF PLASTIC PALLET CENTER OR ITS AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, OR (II) ANY CLAIM ATTRIBUTABLE TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR OTHER INACCURACIES IN THE SERVICE AND/OR MATERIALS OR INFORMATION DOWNLOADED THROUGH THE SERVICE. BECAUSE SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. IN SUCH STATES, PLASTIC PALLET CENTER LIABILITY IS LIMITED TO THE GREATEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
PLASTIC PALLET CENTER makes no representations whatsoever about any other web site which you may access through this one or which may link to this Site. When you access a non-PLASTIC PALLET CENTER web site, please understand that it is independent from PLASTIC PALLET CENTER, and that PLASTIC PALLET CENTER has no control over the content on that web site. In addition, a link to a PLASTIC PALLET CENTER web site does not mean thatPLASTIC PALLET CENTER endorses or accepts any responsibility for the content, or the use, of such web site.

3. Indemnification.

You agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless PLASTIC PALLET CENTER, its officers, directors, employees, agents, licensors, suppliers and any third party information providers to the Service from and against all losses, expenses, damages and costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees, resulting from any violation of this Agreement (including negligent or wrongful conduct) by you or any other person accessing the Service.

4. Third Party Rights.

The provisions of paragraphs 2 (Use of the Service), and 3 (Indemnification) are for the benefit of Plastic Pallet Center and its officers, directors, employees, agents, licensors, suppliers, and any third party information providers to the Service. Each of these individuals or entities shall have the right to assert and enforce those provisions directly against you on its own behalf.

5.Term; Termination.

This Agreement may be terminated by either party without notice at any time for any reason. The provisions of paragraphs 1 (Copyright, Licenses and Idea Submissions), 2 (Use of the Service), 3 (Indemnification), 4 (Third Party Rights) and 6 (Miscellaneous) shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

6.Miscellaneous.

This Agreement shall all be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of The United States of America applicable to agreements made and to be performed in The United States of America. You agree that any legal action or proceeding between Plastic Pallet Center and you for any purpose concerning this Agreement or the parties' obligations hereunder shall be brought exclusively in a federal or state court of competent jurisdiction sitting in The United States of America . Any cause of action or claim you may have with respect to the Service must be commenced within one (1) year after the claim or cause of action arises or such claim or cause of action is barred. Plastic Pallet Center's failure to insist upon or enforce strict performance of any provision of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any provision or right. Neither the course of conduct between the parties nor trade practice shall act to modify any provision of this Agreement. Plastic Pallet Center may assign its rights and duties under this Agreement to any party at any time without notice to you.
Any rights not expressly granted herein are reserved.

CONTACT ME

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If you need to contact me about anything on this site then please use the following email address and I will get back to you as soon as possible...

fastroute@gmail.com

Regards,

Mike Dunbar

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

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