There were pallets aplenty at the inaugural Modex 2012 show in Atlanta. Here's a look at just a few of the more interesting pallet products on display.
Contributing Editor Toby Gooley is a writer and editor specializing in supply chain, logistics, and material handling, and a lecturer at MIT's Center for Transportation & Logistics. She previously was Senior Editor at DC VELOCITY and Editor of DCV's sister publication, CSCMP's Supply Chain Quarterly. Prior to joining AGiLE Business Media in 2007, she spent 20 years at Logistics Management magazine as Managing Editor and Senior Editor covering international trade and transportation. Prior to that she was an export traffic manager for 10 years. She holds a B.A. in Asian Studies from Cornell University.
Who doesn't like pallets? They make warehousing and transportation easier and more efficient, they save time and money, and they're found in just about every warehouse in the world—even in Antarctica. In other words, they're both ubiquitous and indispensable. But ... they're not exactly exciting. After all, they just, well, sit there.
Which is why you might be tempted to think that there isn't much new in the world of pallets. But appearances can be deceiving. As a walk around the floor at the Material Handling Industry of America's inaugural Modex 2012 show showed, pallet manufacturers are putting a lot of thought and effort into innovations and refinements that reflect changing market demand, such as the growing interest in environmental sustainability.
Nearly two-dozen exhibitors at Modex had pallets on display. We can't describe them all, but here's a quick peek at some that were a little out of the ordinary.
Aluminum goes airborne
When AL Pallet says its patented pallets are lightweight, it means it. The low-cost aluminum pallets weigh just nine pounds each but can hold up to 2,500 pounds. They're fireproof, noncorrosive, and easy to repair and clean. They're also fully recyclable and have a high scrap value, according to the manufacturer.
Perhaps the biggest benefit, the company says, is that their remarkably low weight helps reduce airfreight costs. Companies like Samsung, Nokia, LG, and Dell use the pallets for international shipping worldwide. Because they're aluminum, there are no worries about water absorption, toxicity, pests, or product contamination, making them a favorite of pharmaceutical companies. (AL Pallet USA)
Universally appealing
Buckhorn Inc. clearly believes its reusable plastic Universal Pallet can handle whatever comes its way in almost any manufacturing, distribution, and warehousing application. According to the company's website, the model delivers such superior performance that it "makes wooden pallets look like twigs."
According to the manufacturer, the 68.3-pound Universal Pallet is a 48- by 40-inch size with an edge-racking capacity of up to 2,800 pounds—without support—and a full range of configuration options. Buyers can decide whether to have perimeter lips or not, a solid or ventilated top deck, and metal or plastic reinforcing rods. The low-profile pallet also comes with replaceable bottom runners and rubber anti-slip plugs on the top deck, rails, and fork entry. (Buckhorn Inc.)
Have it your way
Conitex Sonoco says its LoadRunner corrugated board pallets are ideal for operations that want to save on freight costs by reducing pallet weights; want to minimize vibration and shock; and/or need clean, sanitary pallets for medical, pharmaceutical, and food products.
Buyers can essentially custom-design the pallets. For the top and optional bottom sheets, they can choose from single-, double-, and triple-wall corrugated or honeycomb decking of various thicknesses. The top sheet can also be die-cut to accommodate a particular product; the bottom sheet can be die-cut to accommodate a pallet jack or other material handling devices. The pallet runners include cylindrical supports and can be engineered in almost any size and strength to match the buyer's specific application. The runners can also be purchased separately and directly applied to a product in lieu of a pallet. (Conitex Sonoco)
Stick to it
De Luxe Paper Products is best known for its food and consumer packaging, but the Canadian company also makes a useful accessory for pallets: a nonslip paper sheet that is placed between each row of product on pallets to prevent them from sliding during warehouse handling and transportation. The sheets stabilize pallet loads by introducing friction between cartons, which helps to keep them in place even when the pallet starts to tip or the load comes to an abrupt stop. This reduces the need for corner boards, straps, glue, stretch wrap, and other packing materials, the manufacturer says.
Made from recyclable materials, the sheets are non-toxic and water-resistant. Ideal for grocery applications, they can be used in temperatures ranging from -5 degrees F to 160 degrees F. (De Luxe Paper Products)
Best of both worlds
As president of a pallet rebuilding and recycling mill, Robert Kessler knows more than most about pallet damage and its causes. Concerned about pallet-related waste and the number of trees used to build short-lived wooden pallets, Kessler invented the Green Line Armor Hybrid Sustained-Use Pallet, a wooden pallet with molded bumpers. The bumpers, made of 100-percent recyclable, biocomposite material, resist impacts, reducing damage and lengthening the useful life of wooden pallets.
The pallets themselves are made of heat-treated white oak, with alloy self-tapping screws and six-sided protective stain for mold/mildew resistance and UV protection. Each pallet is equipped with two EPC Gen 2 RFID tags, one at each end of the pallet in built-in RFID compartments in the bumpers. The pallets come with a 10-year limited warranty. (Green Line Armor)
Great for groceries
The Grocery Distribution Pallet from Orbis Corp. was specifically designed to efficiently store, ship, and handle product throughout the grocery supply chain. When nested, the pallets optimize space in standard 53-foot trailers. Their anti-skid surface effectively holds cases and boxes in place in transit and in the retail operation.
The all-plastic Grocery Pallet has contoured corners and smooth surfaces. It boasts an easy-to-clean design and is smooth and nonporous to avoid absorbing moistures or odors. Additional features include long service life, a lower per-trip cost than alternative pallets, and versatile handling, with four-way hand and fork truck entry. (Orbis)
Strong legwork
The ProStack Solid Deck Pallet by Polymer Solutions International Inc. features a solid top for consistent support across the full plane of the pallet's surface. It also includes a patented, telescoping double-leg design that incorporates a series of interlocking "teeth." This ratchet-style construction secures the top deck to the base via the interlocking legs, producing a connection that's three times stronger than welded or snap pallet construction designs, says the manufacturer. The double-leg construction offers superior resistance to potential damage caused by forklift and pallet jack impacts.
The hygienic pallets are made from 100-percent recyclable, FDA-approved high-density polyethylene (HDPE) with a smooth finish that is easy to clean and inspect, making it suitable for food, pharmaceutical, and medical environments. The ProStack Solid Deck Pallet is available in several different materials, including Factory Mutual Research Corp.-approved grades for fire-retardant applications, and with optional anti-microbial additives. (Polymer Solutions International Inc.)
The rest of the gang
In addition to the companies mentioned in this article, the following companies also exhibited pallet products at Modex:
Online merchants should consider seven key factors about American consumers in order to optimize their sales and operations this holiday season, according to a report from DHL eCommerce.
First, many of the most powerful sales platforms are marketplaces. With nearly universal appeal, 99% of U.S. shoppers buy from marketplaces, ranked in popularity from Amazon (92%) to Walmart (68%), eBay (47%), Temu (32%), Etsy (28%), and Shein (21%).
Second, they use them often, with 61% of American shoppers buying online at least once a week. Among the most popular items are online clothing and footwear (63%), followed by consumer electronics (33%) and health supplements (30%).
Third, delivery is a crucial aspect of making the sale. Fully 94% of U.S. shoppers say delivery options influence where they shop online, and 45% of consumers abandon their baskets if their preferred delivery option is not offered.
That finding meshes with another report released this week, as a white paper from FedEx Corp. and Morning Consult said that 75% of consumers prioritize free shipping over fast shipping. Over half of those surveyed (57%) prioritize free shipping when making an online purchase, even more than finding the best prices (54%). In fact, 81% of shoppers are willing to increase their spending to meet a retailer’s free shipping threshold, FedEx said.
In additional findings from DHL, the Weston, Florida-based company found:
43% of Americans have an online shopping subscription, with pet food subscriptions being particularly popular (44% compared to 25% globally). Social Media Influence:
61% of shoppers use social media for shopping inspiration, and 26% have made a purchase directly on a social platform.
37% of Americans buy from online retailers in other countries, with 70% doing so at least once a month. Of the 49% of Americans who buy from abroad, most shop from China (64%), followed by the U.K. (29%), France (23%), Canada (15%), and Germany (13%).
While 58% of shoppers say sustainability is important, they are not necessarily willing to pay more for sustainable delivery options.
Schneider says its FreightPower platform now offers owner-operators significantly more access to Schneider’s range of freight options. That can help drivers to generate revenue and strengthen their business through: increased access to freight, high drop and hook rates of over 95% of loads, and a trip planning feature that calculates road miles.
“Collaborating with owner-operators is an important component in the success of our business and the reliable service we can provide customers, which is why the network has grown tremendously in the last 25 years,” Schneider Senior Vice President and General Manager of Truckload and Mexico John Bozec said in a release. "We want to invest in tools that support owner-operators in running and growing their businesses. With Schneider FreightPower, they gain access to better load management, increasing their productivity and revenue potential.”
Economic activity in the logistics industry continued its expansion streak in October, growing for the 11th straight month and reaching its highest level in two years, according to the most recent Logistics Managers’ Index report (LMI), released this week.
The LMI registered 58.9, up from 58.6 in September, and continued a run of moderate growth that began late in 2023. The LMI is a monthly measure of business activity across warehousing and transportation markets. A reading above 50 indicates expansion, and a reading below 50 indicates contraction.
October’s reading showed the fastest rate of expansion in the overall index since September of 2022, when the index hit 61.4. The results show that the industry is continuing its steady recovery from the volatility and sluggish freight market conditions that plagued the sector just after the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the LMI researchers.
“The big takeaway is that we’re continuing the slow, steady recovery,” said LMI researcher Zac Rogers, associate professor of supply chain management at Colorado State University. “I think, ultimately, it’s better to have the slow and steady recovery because it is more sustainable.”
All eight of the LMI’s indices grew during the month, with the Transportation Prices index showing the most growth, at nearly 6 points higher than September, reflecting increased activity across transportation markets. Transportation capacity expanded slightly during the month, remaining just above the 50-point threshold. Rogers said more capacity will enter the market if prices continue to rise, citing idle capacity across the market due to overbuilding during the pandemic years.
“Normally we don’t have this much slack in the market,” he said. “We overbuilt in 2021, so there’s more slack available to soak up this additional demand.”
The LMI is a monthly survey of logistics managers from across the country. It tracks industry growth overall and across eight areas: inventory levels and costs; warehousing capacity, utilization, and prices; and transportation capacity, utilization, and prices. The report is released monthly by researchers from Arizona State University, Colorado State University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rutgers University, and the University of Nevada, Reno, in conjunction with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP).
The port worker strike that began yesterday on Canada’s west coast could cost that country $765 million a day in lost trade, according to the ALPS Marine analysis by Russell Group, a British data and analytics company.
Specifically, the labor strike at the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, and Fraser-Surrey will hurt the commodities of furniture, metal products, meat products, aluminum, and clothing. But since the strike action is focused on stopping containers and general cargo, it will not slow operations in grain vessels or cruise ships, the firm said.
“The Canadian port strike is a microcosm of many of the issues that are impacting Western economies today; protection against automation, better work-life balance, and a cost-of-living crisis,” Russell Group Managing Director Suki Basi said in a release. “Taken together, these pressures are creating a cocktail of connected risk for countries, business, individuals and entire sectors such as marine insurance, which help to mitigate cargo exposures.”
The strike is also sending ripples through neighboring U.S. ports, which are hustling to absorb the diverted cargo, according to David Kamran, assistant vice president for Moody’s Ratings.
“The recurrence of strikes at Canadian seaports is positive for U.S. ports that may gain cargo throughput, depending on the strike duration,” Kamran said in a statement. “The current dispute at Vancouver is another example of the resistance of port unions to automation and the social risk involved with implementing these technologies. Persistent disruption in Canadian port access would strengthen the competitive position of US West Coast ports over the medium-term, as shippers seek to diversify cargo away from unreliable gateways.”
The strike is also affected rail movements, according to ocean cargo carrier Maersk. CN has stopped all international intermodal shipments bound for the west coast ports of Prince Rupert, Robbank, Centerm, Vanterm, and Fraser Surrey Docks. And CPKC has stopped acceptance of all export loads and pre-billed empties destined for Vancouver ports.
Connected with the turmoil, Maersk has suspended its import and export carrier demurrage and detention clock for most affected operations. The ultimate duration of the strike is unknown, but the situation is “rapidly evolving” as talks continue between the Longshore Workers Union (ILWU 514) and the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA), Maersk said.
Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, but Mode Global said it will now assume Jillamy's comprehensive logistics and freight management solutions, while Jillamy's warehousing, packaging and fulfillment services remain unchanged. Under the agreement, Mode Global will gain more than 200 employees and add facilities in Pennsylvania, Arizona, Florida, Texas, Illinois, South Carolina, Maryland, and Ontario to its existing national footprint.
Chalfont, Pennsylvania-based Jillamy calls itself a 3PL provider with expertise in international freight, intermodal, less than truckload (LTL), consolidation, over the road truckload, partials, expedited, and air freight.
"We are excited to welcome the Jillamy freight team into the Mode Global family," Lance Malesh, Mode’s president and CEO, said in a release. "This acquisition represents a significant step forward in our growth strategy and aligns perfectly with Mode's strategic vision to expand our footprint, ensuring we remain at the forefront of the logistics industry. Joining forces with Jillamy enhances our service portfolio and provides our clients with more comprehensive and efficient logistics solutions."