While standard 48x40 pallets serve many industries and companies well, businesses with specialized products or unique transportation requirements often find themselves facing shipping challenges that off-the-shelf solutions can't adequately address.
“Customers need custom size pallets for all sorts of reasons,” Millwood Regional Sales Manager Dave Haubert said. “I have designed custom pallets to accommodate material handling equipment, production machinery, racking systems, banding equipment, roller systems, shipping containers, storage applications and export requirements, just to name a few.”
Why Custom Pallets?
The advantage of custom pallets is that they are precisely engineered for particular items or shipping processes. This customization can involve alterations in size, shape, weight capacity, material composition and additional features like built-in racking or specialized securing mechanisms.
The specially-engineered solutions allow for a safer product shipping process, saving money in the long run by preventing damage. The right custom pallet can also reduce warehouse or shipping container footprint, which in turn reduces costs.
“The savings would generally come when we are utilizing a design for limited space like a sea container,” Dave said. “Millwood has the ability to make a design to allow it be as full as possible while securing the loads.”
Addressing Unique Shipping Needs
Custom pallets have a wide range of applications and can address several specific needs. If you fall into any of these categories, Millwood can engineer the perfect pallet for your needs.
Odd-Shaped or Oversized Products
One of the most common shipping challenges involves products that don't conform to standard pallet dimensions. Millwood was able to help one company save $60,000-70,000 per year by repairing their custom pallets designed to carry masonry products.
Automated Handling Systems
As warehouses and distribution centers increasingly adopt automated systems, standard pallets may not always be compatible with these high-tech environments. Custom pallets can be engineered to work seamlessly with specific automated handling equipment, reducing the risk of jams or errors in the logistics process.
Regulatory Compliance
Certain industries must adhere to strict regulatory requirements for shipping and storage. Custom pallets can be designed to meet specific compliance standards, such as those set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for food-grade materials or international phytosanitary regulations for wood packaging materials.
Product Protection
Some products require extra protection from impacts, vibration or environmental factors. Millwood designed a custom shipping solution for one customer who ships a product that is particularly vulnerable to shipping damage: marble. Another customer saved $60,000 when Millwood implemented a repair process for their specialized, steel-reinforced pallets designed to ship aerospace parts.
Space Optimization
Space is expensive, both when storing and shipping products. Millwood can help you save warehouse space by finding the right pallet size for your storage needs, as we did for a customer who freed up 960 square feet (15,360 cubic feet) of warehouse space after we condensed their pallet footprint.
In today’s supply chain economy, every efficiency counts. Companies facing persistent shipping issues or those looking to optimize their supply chain should seriously consider the benefits of custom pallets. Contact one of Millwood’s experts today to learn more about how our customized solutions can protect your products and cut your costs.