Pallet Manufacturing
- Engineered wood pallets are exempt from ISPM 15 and do not require debarking, heat treatment or fumigation
- Long-life engineered wood pallets are constructed for years of trouble-free use, delivering a better return on investment
- Strong, durable and relatively lightweight, solid-deck pallets offer many advantages over solid wood and plastic pallets
- Space-saving design and easy adaptability makes plywood slave pallets ideal for automated systems
Clear Customs with Engineered Wood Pallets
To prevent the introduction and spread of plant pests, ISPM 15: International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures requires that internationally shipped solid wood pallets be debarked, treated with heat or fumigated with methyl bromide, and marked with a seal of compliance. Engineered wood pallets are exempt from ISPM 15 regulations and do not require debarking, heat treatment or fumigation. This is because the process of manufacturing engineered wood destroys any live organisms in the wood. (This process also minimizes the moisture content in the wood, resulting in very lightweight, economical shipping products. For more information, view this lightweight pallets test report.)
Learn more about ISPM 15 and phytosanitation regulations.
Return, Reload & Reuse
A long pallet life means low trip costs and a better return on investment. Nearly indestructible engineered wood pallets -- such as plywood and OSB pallets -- are built to last. They can be returned, reloaded and reused... again and again.
In the modern closed loop systems, high-quality and durable engineered wood pallets boost company profits by reducing repair costs, offering better product protection and outlasting lumber and plastic competitors. A report from the Pallet and Container Research Laboratory at Virginia Tech (summarized in this Pallet Durability Fact Sheet) compared the durability of a variety of common pallets and found that several plywood pallet designs performed at the highest level of durability.
Solid-Deck Engineered Wood Pallets are Built for the Long Run
More than thirty years of on-the-job experience have proven solid-deck engineered wood pallets to be longer lasting, making them more cost-effective over time than traditional board-deck wood pallets or expensive plastic pallets.
Studies show that solid-deck pallets sustain less damage and require fewer repairs than other pallets. With an average life span of seven years or more, they are manufactured for the long run. The benefits of longer life and greater productivity more than offset the initial cost and, in doing so, reduce the actual cost-per-use.
Learn more about solid-deck engineered wood pallets.
Pallet Facts
This series of one-page pallet fact sheets is available for free download from the APA Publications Library:
- Pallet Facts: Export Economics
Exempt from phytosanitary restrictions, engineered wood pallets make the best choice for hassle-free shipping to international clients. Read the latest facts on phytosanitary regulations. (D696 - 1 page)
- Pallet Facts: Ergonomics and Safety
This fact sheet provides a summary of OSHA's lifting recommendations and how engineered wood helps meet the guidelines. (D695 - 1 page)
- Pallet Facts: Pallet Finance
This document covers a number of cost factors to aid the buying decision lease. Also addresses the type of pallet to purchase. (D697 - 1 page)
- Pallet Facts: Fire Safety
This document examines heat release rates and insurance adjustments for plastic pallets used in storage and distribution facilities. (D698 - 1 page)
- Pallet Facts: Durability
Research from the Pallet and Container Research Laboratory of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute found that plywood pallets are superior in durability and performance to both plastic and timber pallets. (D699 - 1 page)
Ergonomic Solution for Your Employees
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that work-related musculoskeletal disorders account for 34% of all lost-workday injuries and illnesses. Engineered wood pallets can be designed to better-fit humans– their lightweight, easy-to-handle nature is more forgiving on a handler’s body, which can greatly reduce chances of injury. Engineered wood pallets are safer to lift, safer to walk on, and safer to store. Learn more.
The Right Choice for the Environment
The best way to recycle is to reuse. Conserve your budget; conserve your resources. Long-life engineered wood pallets are constructed for years and years of trouble-free, dependable use.
Engineered wood is the natural choice for the environment. Modern manufacturing maximizes product efficiency with less harmful emissions than other products. Learn more.
For More Information
For more information on engineered wood pallets, please refer to the following publications and websites:
