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Euro Pallets

image Robin Kiefer image April 5, 2019
What Is A Euro Pallet

What Is A Euro Pallet?

History

The euro pallet is an important part of material handling history.

Its origin can be traced back to the 1960’s, when it was used to transport goods during railway transport. This pallet’s design allowed workers to load the pallet in 10% less time due to its cutting edge design and load capacity. These advantages established the Euro Pallet as an industry standard. In European markets, they were used almost exclusively for forklift and warehouse operations due to their optimal sizing.

The success of the Euro Pallet was followed by newly by imitations. Many imitators produced low-quality imitations using inferior grades of wood in attempt to copy the design of this successful pallet for a lower price. Due to the misleading nature of these inferior products, pallets that met the standards were identified with the logo “EUR” or “EPAL” to indicate that the pallet had met the license and certification of quality.


(seized pallets)

As time went on, word spread about his great pallet the europeans were using. As others around the world tried to get a hold of them, they realized that it did not work well in all of their applications. Especially when it came to certain International Organization for Standardization (ISO) shipping containers.

Evolution of Design

Due to the great success of this pallet design, there were a few similar products, that are named in the same family. On came the EUR-1, EUR-2, and the EUR-3.

All three of these EIR pallets are very close to the standard American 40 x 48 pallet.

The Eur-1 Pallet

The Eur-1 has the same dimensions dimensions as the EUR original (31.50 in × 47.24 in.)

The Eur-2 Pallet

The EUR-2 pallet measures in at a larger size (47.24 in x 39.37 in).

The Eur-3 Pallet

The EUR-3 has the same overall dimensions as The EUR-2, but the length and width are switched (39.37 in x 47.24 in).

Translation to American market and plastic

While European pallets are sized in mm, In the American markets pallets are sized in inches. In the American market 48 x 40 is the standard size in inches which is 1219 x 1016 mm. The EUR original is 1200 x 1000 mm which is 31.50 in × 47.24 inches.

Below is a chart with conversions from mm to inches with their production rank and the industries that use them most in the United States.

Our Euro Pallets

Here are some of the euro pallets we offer:

32 x 48 Nestable Euro Pal 2 Plastic Pallet # PP-O-32-N2
32 x 48 Nestable Medium Duty Ex-Pal Euro Plastic Pallet # PP-O-32-N
32 x 48 Rackable Euro Pal 2 Plastic Pallet # PP-O-32-R2A
32 x 48 Rackable Euro Pal 2 Polyethylene Plastic Pallet – Unassembled # PP-O-32-R2-PE
32 x 48 Rackable Euro Pal 2 Plastic Pallet # PP-O-32-R2A
32 x 48 Rackable Solid Deck Plastic Euro Pallet – 3 Runner # PP-S-32-E7
32 x 48 Heavy Duty Solid-Deck Stackable Euro Plastic Pallet # PP-S-3248-RC
32 x 48 Nestable Molded Wood Euro Pallet – Export Ready # PW-S-3248-NX
32 x 48 x 29 Fixed Wall Euro Bulk Container – Blue # CP-S-32-F

We offer many variations of the euro pallet, listed above are just a few of them.

Let me know how I can help!

* What’s the greatest challenge you face in your warehouse?
* We’re here to help meet unique challenges in your warehouse!

Share your Comments!

We’d love to hear from you – please let us know what other tricks you’ve used to save on freight – and check our our article on other ways to save money on pallet shipping charges.

Need Help Selecting A Pallet?

Our Plastic Pallet Experts are happy to help you find the right plastic Plastic Pallet and send you a quote that includes shipping costs.

Please contact us to find the perfect pallet at the best price.

About Robin Kiefer

Robin Spencer Kiefer connects customers with solutions and products. Robin is the Digital Marketing Manager of One Way Solutions.

How Are Plastic Pallets Made

image Robin Kiefer image February 27, 2019
How Plastic Pallets Are Made

How Are Plastic Pallets Made?

Plastic pallets are manufactured at an injection molding facility. But how do these individual designs come into existence, from planning to production? The path is complex, but entirely necessary to ensure that the product is a success.

Main Stages Of Pallet Production

The process of designing and creating a plastic pallet has three main stages:

* pallet design
* pallet molding
* the final production of the pallet

In order to create the perfect plastic pallet, all of the functional details and design features need to be planned out to satisfy the pallet’s end use and purpose.

For example, what material it will be made from, if it’s going to be light or heavy duty, stackable, rackable, or nestable?

Plastic Pallet Raw Materials Plastic Pellets Manufacturing - Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Banner-bg_3asih.jpg

Plastic Pallet Raw Materials Plastic Pellets Manufacturing

These are just a few of the things that are important to consider when creating each individual pallet.

Though there are many different ways that pallets can be molded, the most common method used in our plastic pallets is, high pressure injection molding.

WATCH VIDEO OF INJECTION MOLDING HERE:

Pallet Design

During the process of designing a plastic pallet, many things come into consideration. Things such as the purpose of the pallet and how it will be transported, stored, what industry will use the pallet.

All these considerations impact and contribute to the design, material, weight, and durability of a pallet. Once the design for the plastic pallet is in place, the mold will be made to make that exact design.

Additional Pallet Design Considerations:

* Open/Closed decks
* Ventilation
* Sanitization
* Runners vs no runners
* Two-Way vs 4-Way entry
* Industry standards
* FDA approved
* Fire retardant

Pallet Injection Molding

High pressure injection molding is the process in which virgin plastic and colorants are mixed and melted together in a barrel or mixing chamber, before being injected into the mold.

Plastic Pallet Injection Molding Heated Screw - https://www.batelaan.nl/wp-content/uploads/Spuitgieten..gif

Plastic Pallet Injection Molding Heated Screw

The mold is clamped together with mass pressure before being injected. By using high pressure injection molding, pallets injected inside the molds will have a faster production time than any other molding method.

Plastic Pallet Injection Mold Manufacturing

Plastic Pallet Injection Mold Manufacturing

By injecting the melted plastic resins into the molds, the finished pallets will come out with the most detailed and accurate design as possible!

Plastic Pallet Production

When using high pressure injection molding to create large quantities of high quality, plastic pallets, production times become more efficient. By increasing production speed and being able to produce plastic pallets in mass quantities as fast as possible, it reduces the risk of being scarce. Also, with a production process such as this, it is easy to customize and change designs and molds, making it possible to produce pallets for even the most specific needs!

Plastic Pallet Injection Molding Process - https://wiki.ece.cmu.edu/ddl/index.php/Injection_molding

Plastic Pallet Injection Molding Process

Share your Comments!

Let us know what you think of the plastic pallet production process!

We’d love to hear from you – please share thoughts in the comments below.

Need Help Selecting A Pallet?

Our Plastic Pallet Experts are happy to help you find the right plastic pallet and send you a quote that includes shipping costs. Please contact us to find the perfect pallet at the best price.

About Robin Kiefer

Robin Spencer Kiefer connects customers with solutions and products. Robin is the Digital Marketing Manager of One Way Solutions.

Effects of Plastic Properties on Pallet Characteristics

image Robin Kiefer image February 26, 2019
Plastic Properties Plastic Effects

Effects of Plastic Properties on Pallet Characteristics

Our Pallets are made from different plastics.

There are many types of plastic resins available for making pallets; the product’s intended use helps determine the ideal resin type to use for manufacturing.

The Two Popular Most Plastic Pallet Resins

Two plastic resins are the most common materials used to mold the majority of the pallets:

– High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
– Polypropylene (PP)

We’ll look at how the choice of these materials impacts four key properties.

Four Plastics Properties:

* Flex Modulus Of Elasticity
* Melt Flow Index
* Specific Gravity
* Izod Impact

Flex Modulus Of Elasticity

The Flex Modulus measures the strength of an adhesive and the stiffness during the initial steps  of stress analysis during a bending process. ASTM D790 is the standard test method for the Flex Modulus.

How to Test Flex Modulus

There are two ways to test Flex Modulus, but the main way is the three point bending test. In this method, two supports hold a sample of the plastic, while force is applied on a single point to induce deformation.

This property is important when deciding what kind of plastic pallet to use for your product. The higher the flex modulus, the stiffer the pallet. The lower the flex modulus, the more flexible it will be.

Melt Flow Index (MFI)

Melt Flow Index is a measurement of how quickly melted plastic flows through an injection molding screw into a mold that forms the plastic pallet. This test determines the viscosity of each material.

The higher the MFI value, the lower the viscosity.

So what’s better – a high or low Melt Flow Index?

Actually, ideal MFI values depend entirely on their application and are dependent on:
– the mold machine and molding screw
– mold design
– the final product

How to Test The Melt Flow Index

To test the MFI, the injection screw barrel is first preheated to the desired temperature. The operator then loads the sample material into the barrel.

Force is then applied to a piston tool to push the material through the heated barrel.

When the flow conditions are right, a timed sample is taken (usually at a ten minute interval).

Once the sample cools, it is weighed to determine the material’s MFI. So, the amount of the sample that flows in the ten minute window is considered the the MFI value.

Melt Flow Index Testing Schematic

Melt Flow Index Testing Schematic

Specific Gravity

The Specific Gravity of individual materials is measured by the density of the plastic compared to the density of water. Specific Gravity is very important metric in the plastic industry because plastic is sold at a cost per weight basis. This property impacts the price of each plastic significantly. Additionally, Specific Gravity measurements are used in production control.

How to Test Specific Gravity

Two sample weights are taken, the first weight is before water immersion and the second weight is taken during distilled water immersion.

Izod Impact

The Izod Impact is a gauge of the impact resistance and hardness of the material. This tests the hardness, strength and toughness of the plastic. The impact toughness will generally decrease the colder the temperature is.

How to Test Izod Impact

Using an Izod Impact tester, a pivoting arm is released from a specific height to swing down,  hitting and breaking the sample material. Afterwards, the energy that is absorbed by the sample is calculated from the height the arms swings to subsequent to hitting the sample.

Plastic Additives

Another property that can impact the characteristics of a plastic pallet is the inclusion of plastic additives. Different additives are used for different purposes; we’ll cover the common additives used in the pallet making process.

Plastic Colorant Additives

Colorant is the most common plastic pallet material additive. There are many reasons to add color to plastics, usually for specific products, material handling organization and sorting, or safety reasons. Besides the appearance, adding color does not change any physical characteristics of the plastics.

Plastics Strengthening Additives

Plastics used in many different industries are strengthened with additives.

Additives such as impact modifiers and reinforcements improve the strength and ability of the plastic to absorb impact without breaking and other stressors, even in the harshest environments.

Plastic Safety Additives

Especially in the food and pharmaceutical industries, additives make sure plastics are safe and suitable for handling products controlled by the FDA. Additives make sure the chemicals/medicines being transported do not react with the plastic in the plastic pallets. Additionally, the additives keep food and beverage containers safe for use during transporting and storing.

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) & Polypropylene (PP)

Now we’ll discuss the individual polymers, their specific properties, and how those properties affect plastic pallet characteristics starting.

HDPE

HDPE is an extremely durable petroleum based resin. HDPE’s corrosion and solvent resistance make it very easy to clean. HDPE is used in creating plastic bottles and containers.

It’s also used in many household applications like bottles for milk, juice, and cosmetics. Compared to other materials, HDPE is very cost effective for how durable it is, making it a great choice for plastic pallets.

What makes HDPE the most widely used material is its low price while still being a strong material.

HDPE Properties

* Flexural modulus of elasticity: 200,000
* Melting Temperature: 266 degrees Fahrenheit
* Specific Gravity: 0.96
* Izod Impact: 1.9

PP

Compared to HDPE, PP pallets are much more rigid, making them able to carry heavier loads. PP also maintains its rigidity in higher temperature environments and has good chemical resistance.

This particular resin is found in rigid and flexible packaging as well as large molded parts for automotive products. It’s more expensive than HDPE, but is often a better choice for certain products such as food packaging.

Properties of Polypropylene

* Flexural modulus of elasticity: 225,000
* Melting Temperature:  320 degrees Fahrenheit
* Specific Gravity: 0.91
* Izod Impact: 1.2

Combining HDPE & PP

Combining HDPE & PP allows molders to combine advantages of both polymers while keeping costs at a minimum.

Specifically:
* manufacturing pallets from recycled materials
* keeping the pallets durable and rigged
* Reducing material costs

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)

LDPE is a resin made from low-density oil and has very low tensile strength compared to HDPE and PP. It also has the ability to withstand temperatures of 80 degrees celsius and is known to be nearly unbreakable.

LDPE Properties

  • Flexural modulus of elasticity: 200,000
  • Melting Temperature: 266 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Specific Gravity: 0.92
  • Izod Impact: no break

Material Issues?

Each material has different properties which lead to different characteristics. The characteristics of the plastics determine which pallet is right for certain products. There is no right or wrong pallet, that’s why will choose the materials for you to provide pallets that are best for your needs and surpass your standards.

Share your Comments!

What type of plastic pallets best suits your needs?

What are your opinions on the different pallet materials currently on the market?

We’d love to hear from you – please share thoughts in the comments below.

Need Help Selecting A Pallet?

Our Plastic Pallet Experts are happy to help you find the right plastic pallet and send you a quote that includes shipping costs. Please contact us to find the perfect pallet at the best price.

About Robin Kiefer

Robin Spencer Kiefer connects customers with solutions and products. Robin is the Digital Marketing Manager of One Way Solutions.

Pallet Top Decks Explained

image Robin Kiefer image February 22, 2019
Plastic Pallet Decks Explained

Pallet Top Decks, What Are They?

A top deck is the top surface area of a pallet or skid, the space / platform that inventory or a more general payload will rest upon during storage or transportation. Although, top decks vary on by pallet, common top options can be found on both stringer and block pallets.

Two Pallet Top Deck Types: Open Deck & Closed Deck

The two main types of top decks on a pallet are, open decks and closed decks. An open deck can also be referred to as a ventilated deck, and a closed deck can also be referred to as a solid deck. Knowing the different types of top decks is important when selecting the best pallet option for your application!

Modern Top Decks: Open vs. Closed

Modern day top decks come in two main categories, open and closed. One Way Solutions offers both modern top deck styles in: nestable, rackable, and stackable plastic pallets Both of our open and closed top deck pallets are available in a full range of sizes to best suit your needs!

Open Pallet Top Deck

Open top decks, also known as ventilated decks, have openings in the surface often referred to as the mesh or grid. These openings make the pallets lighter in weight and less expensive to purchase. The larger the mesh/grid openings are, the thinner the plastic pallet appears. Open deck pallets also allow easy draining when wet. One of our most popular open deck pallets is our 40 x 48 x 5” Nestable Light Duty Plastic Pallet (#PP-O-40-NL7).
Open Deck Pallet #PP-O-40-NL7

The Popular PP-O-40-NL7 Open Deck Pallet

Closed Pallets Top Deck

Closed top decks, also known as solid top decks, have solid plastic surfaces without grated  openings. Most closed deck plastic pallets have a smooth surface with either an anti-skid surface or a lip around the perimeter. Closed deck pallets offer great hygiene due to protection from spills or splashes, and are easier to clean. One of our most popular closed deck pallets is our 40×48” Solid Deck Rackable Plastic Pallet (#PP-S-40-R3).
R3 Closed Deck Pallet

R3 Closed Deck Pallet

An Old School Take on Closed Decks

Our other most popular option for a closed deck plastic pallet would be any of our rackable RC plastic stringer pallets. These pallets are based off old school, classic stringer pallet drawings and designs. One of our best selling examples would be our 44×44” Heavy Duty Solid Deck Rackable Plastic Pallet (#PP-S-4444-RC).
Closed Pallet Top Deck - Old School

Closed Pallet Top Deck – Old School

Anti-Slip Options

Offering pallets with different anti-slip options and designs helps ensure that our customers inventory and products remain safe and secure. Some of our anti-slip designs include: * an elevated pallet lip or safety rim around the perimeter of our pallets * rubber surface attachments (known as pallet grommets). These anti-slip options are most commonly found on the smoother surfaces of our closed deck pallets.
Pallet Rubber Deck Grommets

Pallet Rubber Deck Grommets

Finding Your Perfect Pallet Online

Our plastic pallet experts want your pallet shopping to be as easy as possible! That’s why we offer a special way to filter your searches! When viewing our “Shop Plastic Pallets” or “Pallets by Industry” drop down bars, you have the option to filter your search to really narrow down what you’re looking for! The filter section can be found on the left of our product pages, right under the “Shop by Category” box.
Our Pallet Product Filters

Our Pallet Product Filters help you find what you need quickly!

Want to learn about Pallet Stringers?

There’s more to a pallet than a top deck – go here check out our article on Pallet Stringer Boards.

Share your Comments!

We’d love to hear from you – please share thoughts about our open and closed top deck pallet options in the comments below.

Need Help Selecting A Pallet?

Our Plastic Pallet Experts are happy to help you find the right plastic pallet and send you a quote that includes shipping costs. Please contact us to find the perfect pallet at the best price.

About Robin Kiefer

Robin Spencer Kiefer connects customers with solutions and products. Robin is the Digital Marketing Manager of One Way Solutions.

USA Made Pallets

image Robin Kiefer image February 21, 2019
USA Made Plastic Pallets

USA Made Pallets – Proudly Supplied by One Way Solutions

Nearly all pallets and products offered One Way Solutions are USA made. We ship worldwide from over 15 distribution locations across the USA. We also ship to major USA ports of embarkation.

Our website makes shopping our products as easy as possible, which is why we use a special identifying icon to assure our customers that our products are made in the USA!

Shop With Confidence

USA Made Pallets

To reassure our customers looking for USA made pallets, and allow them to shop with ease and confidence, our Plastic Pallet Experts use our website to call out our USA made pallets with a special icon.

Here is the icon – an image of our great American flag that reads, “MADE IN USA” underneath:

USA Made Pallets

Pallets Made In The USA

Online Pallet Category Pages

When shopping and browsing our products by category under the “Shop Plastic Pallets” or “Pallets by Industry” drop down bar on our homepage, you’ll see our Made In USA icon will be located in the upper right hand corner of each product’s listing, like this:

USA Made Pallets on Category Pages

USA Made Pallets on Category Pages

Pallet Product Pages

Once a specific product is selected, the Made In USA icon will also appear on the product page under the name of the product. This makes our USA made products easy to identify!

USA Made Pallets - Product Page

USA Made Pallets – Product Page

Plastic Protected by the USA

When our international pallet customers are ordering our products (from outside of the United States), they won’t have to worry about extended delivery periods, getting cross docked, or any potential delays.

All our pallets are export compliant. Since our pallets are mostly made of plastics and engineered materials, there is no reason to fret about an ISPM-15 stamps or certifications because these designations are only required for shipping wood products internationally!

You also won’t need to worry about unsafe dyes, materials, or hazards, because our products are made from virgin resin and recycled plastics. These materials are won’t collect moisture, bacteria, or mold, an ideal property for products shipped worldwide.

Our United States Pallet Distribution

We ship worldwide from distribution centers across the United States! In-stock pallets will ship next day, and arrive in 2-5 business days depending on your location. Not only that, we can also ship ocean containers to any major port globally!

Here is a list of some of the states that are home to our pallet distribution centers:

* California
* Indiana
* Iowa
* Michigan
* Missouri
* North Carolina
* Ohio
* Pennsylvania
* Texas
* Utah
* Wisconsin

Industries that we Cater to Worldwide

plastic-pallets-usa-worldwide-industries

USA Pallets Ship Worldwide – No Worries

Plastic pallets are popular in all industries. We supply plastic pallets and containers to a variety of industries, both domestically and worldwide. Some of these industries include:

* Pharmaceutical Pallets
* Food & Agricultural Pallets
* Can Pallets
* Beverage Pallets
* Ocean Freight Pallets
* Automotive Pallets
* Grocery & GMA Pallets
* Drum & Spill Pallets
* Air Freight Pallets
* Retail & Point Of Purchase Pallets
* Dairy Pallets
* Printing Industry Pallets
* Flexible Packing Roll Pallets

USA Plastic Regulations

Making our pallets and containers from quality plastics plastic helps easier and less cumbersome for both One Way Solutions and our customers.

Nonetheless, there are some rules to follow when producing plastic pallets in the United States. Some of the pallets we provide are compliant with special regulations mandated by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA). These FDA Pallets allow our customers to safely and legally transport and store food and pharmaceutical products.

Using plastic also protects us and our customers from having to worry about certain regulations. One example of the protection that using plastic pallets provides, is the automatic exemption Export Pallet Regulations enforced by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for wooden pallets. As stated before, by using plastic, we also don’t have to worry about getting a certified ISPM-15 stamp or paperwork. Excellent!

plastic-pallets-usa-worldwide-industries

Approved Plastic Pallets

Share your Comments!

Are you a customer ordering from outside of the USA? If so, tell us where from and share your experience!

We’d love to hear from you – please share thoughts in the comments below.

Need Help Selecting A Pallet?

Our Plastic Pallet Experts are happy to help you find the right plastic pallet and send you a quote that includes shipping costs. Please contact us to find the perfect pallet at the best price.

About Robin Kiefer

Robin Spencer Kiefer connects customers with solutions and products. Robin is the Digital Marketing Manager of One Way Solutions.

Custom Plastic Pallets

image Robin Kiefer image February 20, 2019
Custom-Plastic-Pallets

Custom Plastic Pallets for Critical Applications

Being in business means doing things YOUR way. 

You call the shots. You own your processes, operations, and equipment.

By now, you’ve likely “cracked the code” one might say; because you’ve figured out how to do things better, smarter, and faster.

And when it comes to running a warehouse, getting products and materials to the right place & out the door is the name of your game!  After all, maximum material handling efficiency is an ongoing goal.

In order optimize and increase the speed to get your product to the right place, maybe onto a  truck and out for delivery, you may develop mission critical needs that don’t work “with off the rack” traditional pallets designed to suit general applications – you need a custom plastic pallet.

And the plastic pallet experts at One Way Solutions are here to help.

Why Partner With One Way for Your Custom Plastic Pallet?

The answer is simple; it’s a no-brainer.

One Way offers *free* pallet design services. We’ll sketch up the perfect pallet for your operations and you’re under no obligation to order.

Custom Plastic Pallet Drawing

We’ll provide a drawing like this one, that details the pallet structure with dimensions and weights.

Custom Plastic Pallet Drawing

Custom Plastic Pallet Drawing

You’ll be able to envision exactly how this custom plastic pallet will suit your critical applications.

Based on your feedback, we’ll tweak the specifications to make it fit just right, and send you a revised drawing.

Custom Plastic Pallets That Don’t Break The Bank

Here’s another cool think about working with us on your custom plastic pallet.

We don’t require any mold or tooling investment. That’s money back in your pocket!

Whoa! Since no custom injection mold is required, our custom pallets are available in a comparatively short and industry-shattering 10 day lead time.

We’ll provide you a personalized quote for your custom plastic pallet at no charge.

Our goal is make the entire process quick, painless, and pleasant for everyone – because we are plastic pallet experts that are willing to go to the mat for our customers so you’ll honor us with your business on future pallet supply projects.

What Does a Custom Plastic Pallet Look Like?

Let’s paint a picture of your perfect pallet, constructed from carefully chosen components that match your critical application.

custom plastic pallet

Imagine piecing together a plastic block style pallet with your unique components using a custom made combination of the following component options:

  • Pallet stringer boards, up to 1″ x 4″ inches and 96″ inches in length
  • Pallet bottom boards, up to 1″ x 4″ inches and 96″ inches in length
  • Pallet Decks use 1/2″ sheeting (in practice them may be closer to 5/8″) and can be as large as 48″ x 56″ for a single piece smooth deck – 44″ x 56″ for ribbed decks.

Pallet Decks – Smooth or Ribbed

Smooth Decks – 48″ x 56″ Max

  • Smooth top decks are standard

The underside of the smooth pallet deck and pallet runners has a hidden waffle/grid bottom to provide additional stability and facilitate more efficient molding.

Waffle grid on underside of smooth pallet deck and pallet runners

Ribbed Decks – 44″ x 56″ Max

Ribbed Decks can also be provided on request, but please note the “low” part of the ribs are around 3/8” thick.  There’s also a pattern on the non-ribbed side, different than the waffle grid on the smooth decks, but it does have structural support. Ribbed deck has a max size of 44″ x 56″.

Here are examples of our stock plastic block pallets to demonstrate how pallet components can be configured for your unique needs: https://oneway-solutions.com/shop-plastic-pallets/custom-plastic-pallets.

Can I place a sample custom pallet order for testing?

Yes, absolutely! We accept smaller quantity custom pallet orders without a setup fee – so you only pay for pallets and shipping.

Let me know how we can help!

Interested In Custom Plastic Pallets?

Are you facing a continuous challenge in your warehouse?

Can a custom pallet could work for you? We make it easy to find out.

We’re here to help meet unique challenges in your warehouse so you can handle your operations more efficiently.

Our Plastic Pallet Experts are happy to help you create the right plastic Custom Plastic Pallet and send you a quote.

Please contact us for a free quote and drawing for your perfect custom plastic pallet.

Share your Comments!

We’d love to hear from you – please let us know how custom built pallets have helped you overcome operational challenges in your warehouse.

About Robin Kiefer

Robin Spencer Kiefer connects customers with solutions and products. Robin is the Digital Marketing Manager of One Way Solutions.

Plastic and Wood Pallets can live together

image James Wick image January 30, 2019
Wood Pallets Plastic Pallets Can Live Together

Plastic and Wood Pallets can live together

For years, wood pallets dominated shipping. In fact, over 90% of all shipping is still done on plastic pallets. Even though wood is still controlling the pallet market, plastic pallet use is certainly on the rise. And for some companies, plastic pallets are a more reliable and durable option.

Wood Pallets

Wood Pallet Pile

Wood Pallet Pile

Since before World War II, wood pallets have dominated the material handling market.

Wood pallets have been in use for longer than plastic pallets and are more efficient for some companies. Wood pallets are cheap and strong, which allows them to carry heavier products.

Companies who don’t ship as frequently benefit more from using wood pallets versus plastic pallets, just from a price standpoint. Another benefit of wood is that it’s a natural resource, making it biodegradable and easy to recycle.

Wood pallets have their disadvantages, however. The main ones are that they can become overrun with bacteria and are difficult to clean. Another important factor to discuss when comparing wood pallets versus plastic pallets is how they are made.

How Wood Pallets & Plastic Pallets Are Made

Wood block pallets have multiple pieces that need to be screwed or nailed together while plastic is constructed in one solid piece. These create advantages and disadvantages for both. This allows wood pallets to be repaired easier,  but creates unsafe surfaces that can have splinters or nails sticking out which can harm workers and disrupt flow of materials.

A plastic pallet on the other hand won’t break as easily due to its design and construction, resulting in a much longer life expectancy. However, once a plastic pallet is damaged, it’s difficult to repair. Along with that the surface does not have nails or splinters, making it a much safer for handlers.

Below is a full list of advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages Of Wood Pallets

* Cheap
* Handles heavy shipments
* Easy to repair
* Recyclable and biodegradable
* The product will not shift as much

Disadvantages Of Wood Pallets

* Difficult to clean
* Can host bacteria
* Not always safe to handle
* Not as durable as plastic

Damaged Wood Pallet

Damaged Wood Pallet

 

Plastic Pallets

A nestable, single piece Plastic Pallet

Even though most shippers use wood pallets versus plastic pallets, plastic adoption is on the rise. This is especially true for companies who ship in higher quantities and often due to how long it lasts. Along with that, plastic pallets offer advantages to industries where sanitation is key, like fresh and frozen foods, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals to name a few.

It’s also becoming more and more apparent that even though the upfront cost of plastic pallets might be more than wood pallets, the durability of plastic provides a better ROI!

Understanding Industrial Needs

While plastic is ideal for industries where the hygiene of products is key, it isn’t practical for some others. Wood pallets versus plastic pallets are more useful and cost efficient in industries like manufacturing because they are cheap and able to handle heavier shipments compared to plastic. Along with that, these industries don’t face the challenges of following strict regulations on product sanitation.

Here are some other advantages and disadvantages.

Plastic Pallet Advantages

* Durable and long lasting
* Weighs less which reduces shipping costs
* Safe to handle
* Easy to clean
* Recyclable

Plastic Pallet Disadvantages

* Costs more upfront
* Cannot handle very heavy shipments
* Not biodegradable

Weighing the two

There are pros and cons to using both pallets. Without identifying your needs prior to purchase, there is no clear cut option. Deciding on wood or plastic is going to come down to factors regarding what industry the company is in, how much they’re shipping, where they’re shipping,  and the costs.

As a result, plastic pallets and wood pallets continue to thrive alongside each other in the marketplace.

Share your comments!

Do you think there are other advantages to using wood pallets over plastic or vice versa? Please share!

Need Help Selecting A Pallet I Can Help?

* What’s the greatest challenge you face in your warehouse?
* We’re here to help meet unique challenges in your warehouse!

Our Plastic Pallet Experts are happy to help you find the right plastic Plastic Pallet and send you a quote that includes shipping costs.

Please contact us to find the perfect pallet at the best price.

Best Selling CABKA Pallets (Top 5)

image Robin Kiefer image January 8, 2019
top-5-cabka-plastic-pallets

Let’s be real people, shopping for plastic pallets can be a real pain. There are a lot of options out there, so how do you decide what’s right for you? Unfortunately we don’t have a dressing room to try them on. (But we do, however, offer free samples if you’re interested.) To make things easier, consider us your personal shopper. We’ll do the work to find you the perfect pallet to compliment your business. To get started, we’d like to introduce you to one of our best selling, most popular brands of pallets. Meet, CABKA. What separates these pallets from other lines is that they’re structurally molded with Polyolefin ACM material, a proprietary PP/PE/Cellulose blend. Pallets by CABKA make the perfect fit for shipping products of all kinds because they’re high quality at an affordable price. This makes an ideal combination. Plus, they offer a range of features to “suit your style,” as some may say. So what are the best selling CABKA pallets? Here are the top 5 selections you’ll see on the streets:

1. Stay Sleek With This Solid Deck Rackable Plastic Pallet by CABKA (PP-S-40-R3)

40 x 48 Solid Deck Rackable Plastic Pallet

40 x 48 Solid Deck Rackable Plastic Pallet

This beauty of a pallet is a solid choice with its solid deck and rackable feature. It’s both highly economical and functional at the same time, with a full perimeter bottom that allows for increased stackability and racking. You’ll be screaming, “that baby got back!” Structurally molded with CABKA’s signature Polyolefin ACM material, a proprietary PP/PE/Cellulose blend, this pallet is a serious head-turner for closed loop systems. As with all of our pallets, this baby is an environmentally friendly product of 100% regenerated plastics and completely recyclable.

2. Expand Your Product Line With CABKA’s Nestable Euro Plastic Pallet  (PP-O-32-N2)

32 x 48 Nestable Euro Pal 2 Plastic Pallet

32 x 48 Nestable Euro Pal 2 Plastic Pallet

Make room for this show stopper if you’re looking for the perfect Nestable Euro Pallet for one-way export use or storage applications. Want to know what else? A superior nesting ratio allows for 1500 pallets to fit in a 53′ truck, which significantly reduces the per pallet shipping costs. Cha ching! This pallet is prime for export because of its ventilated deck, freezer safe specifications and chemical resistant components. Let’s not forget, this puppy meets all GMA industry standards. So, come ‘n get it!

3. Scream Stylish With a Superior Medium Duty Plastic Pallet by CABKA (PP-O-40-NL3.1)

40 x 48 Nestable Plastic Pallet - Medium Duty

40 x 48 Nestable Plastic Pallet – Medium Duty

Next up? Get ready for a nestable pallet that is sure to delight. This medium duty pallet is a variation on the previous. Except this one comes in at 40 x 48, with a nesting ratio that allows for 2100 pallets on a 53′ truck. With an anti-skid surface and a durable solid body one-piece construction, this pallet will get your product to its destination with superiority and style.

4. Save a Spot for CABKA’s Powerhouse Rackable Plastic Pallet (PP-O-4545-RX)

45 x 45 Rackable Plastic Pallet - Unassembled

45 x 45 Rackable Plastic Pallet – Unassembled

Looking for something different? Make room on the runway for this good looking pallet. At a hefty 45 x 45 size, the nesting ratio allows for 1092 pallets to fit in a 53′ truck, making it an economical choice for many uses. The safety lip is a special feature that stands out from the rest, so keep this pallet in mind when you’re looking for an option that can fit a multitude of applications.

5. Top Things Off With CABKA’s Top-of-the-Line Solid Deck Pallet (PP-S-40-Eco1)

40 x 48 Rackable Stackable Solid Deck Plastic Pallet w/ Metal Reinforcing Rods

40 x 48 Rackable Stackable Solid Deck Plastic Pallet w/ Metal Reinforcing Rods

Last up is this one-of-a-kind solid deck pallet that is both rackable and stackable. It comes with metal reinforcing rods to combine strength and economy in a lightweight design for superior performance at an affordable price. This beauty features a single-piece 6 runner base for added stability and they are ideal in warehouse racking systems. Excellent engineering allows the bottom pallet to handle full static loads when loaded and stacked. Let’s not forget to mention that this pallet achieves unsupported racking capacities up to 2,800 lbs. Whoa, mama!

We’ll Help You Choose From Our Best Selling CABKA Pallets

It can be a tough choice when deciding which plastic pallet is the perfect fit. Let us be your very own personal shopper. Reach out today so we can make things easier on you! We’ll find just the pallet to suit your fancy.

About Robin Kiefer

Robin Spencer Kiefer connects customers with solutions and products. Robin is the Digital Marketing Manager of One Way Solutions.

2020 is knocking – Any room left in your Plastic Pallet Budget?

image Robin Kiefer image December 19, 2018
Plastic Pallet Budget

Buying Pallets With Surplus Year End Budget

The End Is Near – Are You Prepared?

*With 2019 quickly coming to a close, it’s important for all businesses to make sure they have taken advantage of their allotted spending for the year. That especially holds true for the plastic pallet industry.

*Using all of your plastic pallet budget by the end of the year enables optimal spending, while also allowing your business to prosper.

*At One Way we have pallet experts ready to assist you in making the most out of your plastic pallet budget by year’s end.

Why is this important? Because!

* Here at One Way Solutions, we offer top of the line pallets for all industries and purposes. Making the most of your plastic pallet budget with our products allows you to save money and stay stress free of shipping hassles. All of our products are fully export compliant and not subject to the ISPM-15 regulations, alleviating you of the anxiety of dealing with delays and other burdens.

*Utilizing your entire plastic pallet budget with One Way before the new year also leads to reducing your taxable income!

We Optimize Plastic Pallet Budgets

* One Way Solutions offers the best prices with reliable service. Your plastic pallet budget will be used efficiently especially around this time of the ending fiscal year. Make sure to take advantage of these prices as you can stock up on plastic pallets before the end of the year!

*We can also help you find the best shipping rates with our real time freight rating and optimizers. We will always find the best shipping rates because we have an extraordinary and caring team. Our sales team loves to help customers out specifically when it comes to saving client’s hard earned cash!

*Lastly, make sure to take advantage of our service to maximize your plastic pallet budget!

Top 4 Best Selling Pallets: For a Reason!

PP-O-40-NL7

This nestable light duty pallet is a fan favorite. We like to call it the muscle-car of all rackable pallets out there. It includes three permanent runners, which increases the strength. It can hold a dynamic capacity of 2,800 lbs. This pallet has great strength at the price of a light duty model.

PP-O-40-NM7

40 x 48 Light/Medium Duty Nestable Plastic Pallet

PP-O-40-NM7 40 x 48 Light/Medium Duty Nestable Plastic Pallet

The NM7 is a plastic pallet gaining ground in popularity. This is due to the large dynamic capacity of 2,700 lbs. Along with the light duty pricing, similar to the NL7. The NM7 was engineered to endure heavy capacity while cutting down on weight of the pallet itself. Weighing in at 17 lbs. (super light) this pallet can do what many pallets this weight cannot achieve.

PP-O-40-SL7

The SL7 is commonly used for exports and storage while having seemingly endless additional uses. This pallet is very similar to the NL7 yet there is a key difference as his one os stackable. IT still has the same muscle-car pallet feel in regards to pricing and weight capacity capability.

PP-O-40-SM7

40 x 48 Stackable Light Medium Duty Plastic Pallet - 3 Runner

PP-O-40-SM7 40 x 48 Stackable Light Medium Duty Plastic Pallet – 3 Runner

Much like the NM7, yet this one has three permanently attached runners to increase the strength and the stackable surface area. These will ship unassembled but assembly is extremely easy.

Let me know how I can help!

* What’s the greatest challenge you face in your warehouse?

* We’re here to help meet unique challenges in your warehouse!

We’d love to hear from you – please let us know what other tricks you’ve used to save on freight – and check our our article on other ways to save money on pallet shipping charges.

Need Help Selecting A Pallet?

Our Plastic Pallet Experts are happy to help you find the right plastic Plastic Pallet and send you a quote that includes shipping costs.

Please contact us to find the perfect pallet at the best price.

About Robin Kiefer

Robin Spencer Kiefer connects customers with solutions and products. Robin is the Digital Marketing Manager of One Way Solutions.

Shipping Pallets By Rail – Intermodal Shipping

image Robin Kiefer image November 28, 2018
Pallets By Rail - Save Money on Pallet Freight!

 

Shipping Pallets By Rail

What is Rail Freight?

Rail freight is a shipping method using rail freight cars to transport raw materials and finished goods over land.

A single shipment could be an entire freight car – or an entire train itself – whatever the shipper needs.

Trains carry goods on rail cars as far as train tracks can take them, dropping off rail cars at the railway yard closest to the consignees delivery location. At this point, trucks are used to  However, trucks are used to transport freight from the yard to the final destination.

The systematic combination of different shipping methods used between pickup and delivery point is known as Intermodal Freight.

What is Intermodal Freight

Intermodal freight is any combination of transportation modes; specifically truck, train, ship, and plane. Intermodal allows shipments to maximize the benefits of each mode to ensure the most economical and timely outcome. Intermodal also can take a single origin shipment and deliver it to multiple destinations. Limitations of intermodal include several handling events which can result in breakage along with specific organization requirements of each mode.

What is Rail Car is best for Pallet Freight?

Freight can be carried by different types of rail cars, such as:

  • triple decker car carriers
  • tank cars
  • ore cars
  • gondolas
  • intermodal cars

Intermodal Cars are the perfect choice for shipping pallets by rail. Here’s one now!

intermodal freight cars are perfect for shipping pallets by rail
A double stacked intermodal freight car
H
ow many plastic can be transported in a 53′ intermodal car? Thousands of units – and tons!

Why are Intermodal Cars perfect for shipping Plastic Pallets by Rail?

Intermodal cars are long, strong, and down to get the friction on! 

– Sir Ships-A-Lot

Intermodal cars are:

  • Long – Approximately 70 feet long, allowing them to easily transport 53′ containers full of plastic pallets. 
  • Strong – they can carry gross weights of 220,000 lbs – that’s more pallet weight than we could hope to pack into a container. 

Blocking and Bracing

When loading a full truckload / rail car shipment, it is mandatory that you judge freight stability and take any measures required to prevent unwanted movement during transportation.

The process of shoring up loose pallet loads and empty space is called blocking and bracing.

During the blocking and bracing process, warehouse staff should cautiously load the container, position the pallets, and reinforcing the all packed goods to prevent any shifting, tipping, collapse, and falling does not accidentally occur during transport and delivery.

We Hope That Helps!

We hoped you enjoyed learning about the basics of shipping plastic pallets by rail – a great way to optimize the pallet’s journey from our dock to your dock – saving money by reducing freight to the most efficient method during each segment of transport.

We’d love to hear from you – please let us know what other tricks you’ve used to save on freight – and check our our article on other ways to save money on pallet shipping charges. 

Need Help Selecting A Pallet?

Our Plastic Pallet Experts are happy to help you find the right plastic Plastic Pallet and send you a quote that includes shipping costs.

Please contact us to find the perfect pallet at the best price.

About Robin Kiefer

Robin Spencer Kiefer connects customers with solutions and products. Robin is the Digital Marketing Manager of One Way Solutions.

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