Finding a pallet company to buy pallets from or sell pallets to can be a simple task. You can use search engines to look online, ask for referrals from trusted connections, or explore industry and trade magazines. However, finding a pallet company that will maximize the value of your specific supply chain and pallet program can be a difficult task.
How do you determine which one is the right fit? What questions do you ask?
When looking for the best pallet company, you should always start by assessing the company’s commitment to customer service. The most robust capabilities can be a non-value-add if your pallet company’s primary goal is not the success of your operations.
Then, you will want to match the characteristics of your business and needs to their offerings.
This comprehensive guide will look at six different needs your business may have and match those characteristics with key considerations to help you identify the best pallet company for you.
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Purchasing Standard GMA Pallets
Purchasing Non-48×40 New Pallets
Large Multi-Location Footprint
Looking to add cost-savings by recovering pallets
Purchasing Standard GMA Pallets? Focus on Reliability and Scalability
For supply chain leaders responsible for procuring significant quantities of the standard 48×40 Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) pallet, the focus often shifts towards reliability and the pallet company’s ability to scale with your demands.
Here is what to look for in a GMA Pallet Supplier:
Consistent Supply and Capacity
The best pallet company for high-volume GMA pallet purchases will possess robust repair or manufacturing capabilities and a reliable supply chain for raw materials. Inquire about their production capacity, lead times, and their ability to consistently meet your volume demands, even during peak seasons. Look for a company that can demonstrate a track record of dependable supply.
Quality Control for Standard Specifications
Even with standard pallets, consistent quality is crucial to avoid issues in your automated systems and ensure product safety. The best pallet company will have quality control processes in place to ensure that their 48×40 GMA pallets consistently meet your expectations. They should also have corrective action plans in place when an error does occur.
Efficient Logistics and Delivery
Timely and efficient delivery is paramount when dealing with large pallet volumes. The best pallet company will have a well-organized logistics operation to ensure that your pallets are delivered on schedule and in the required quantities to your various locations. Inquire about their delivery capabilities, lead times, and their ability to handle your specific logistical requirements.
Potential for Value-Added Services
While your primary need might be standard pallets, consider if the pallet company offers any valuable additional services that could benefit your operations. This could include pallet repair programs for damaged GMA pallets, inventory management solutions, on-site (Total Pallet Management) services or even insights into market trends that could impact your pallet procurement strategy.
Looking to Purchase Custom Pallets? Find a Pallet Company with Design Expertise
Whether you are buying new or used, if your products have unique dimensions, weight distribution, or handling requirements, you need a custom solution. To get the best value and results with custom pallets, you need a pallet company that specializes in custom analysis and design.
Look for a provider that boasts the following attributes:
Technical Proficiency
The best pallet company for custom solutions will utilize advanced software like CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and PDS (Pallet Design System). This technology allows them to create precise and efficient pallet designs tailored to your exact specifications.
Experienced Staff
Beyond the software, the human element is critical. Seek out a pallet company with knowledgeable and experienced professionals who can thoroughly analyze your products, understand your entire supply chain (including warehousing, transportation, and handling processes), and translate those needs into an optimal pallet design.
Comprehensive Analysis
The best pallet company for your custom needs will go beyond just dimensions. They will consider factors like load capacity, stacking requirements, forklift compatibility, and any specific environmental conditions your pallets will face. Beyond all of this, they will also consider your overall business goals. For example, if you are looking to implement cost savings within your supply chain, a custom design optimized for efficient retrieval and repair will help you achieve this goal. A standout pallet partner will ask to have one of their pallet experts visit your facilities on-site to evaluate the requirements and make recommendations.
By leveraging their technical ability and expertise, they can design a pallet that maximizes efficiency and minimizes potential damage.
Click here to learn about Kamps’ Custom Design Capabilities
Pallet Recycling or Removal? Partner with a Pallet Company with Robust Resources.
Dealing with a surplus of used pallets can quickly become a logistical headache and add unnecessary cost. If you’re looking for efficient and reliable pallet recycling or removal services, the best pallet company will have the infrastructure to handle your needs seamlessly.
Key indicators of a top-tier pallet recycler include:
Robust Resources
The best pallet company for recycling will possess the necessary resources, such as an adequate fleet of drop trailers, a responsive dispatch team, reverse logistics capabilities, and sufficient staff and capacity to manage the volume of outbound pallets from your warehouse, no matter how large.
Transparent Tracking
You need to know what’s happening with your recycled pallets. The best pallet company will offer a transparent sorting and counting system. Ideally, this will be backed by on-demand reports accessible through a dedicated portal or other digital means, providing clear visibility into the volume and types of pallets recycled from your facility.
Exceptional Service
Prompt and reliable service is paramount. The best pallet company will demonstrate a strong drive to deliver excellent service, reacting quickly to trailer swap requests and any other service-related needs you may have. Their responsiveness will minimize disruptions to your operations.
Click here to learn about Kamps’ Pallet Recycling Capabilities
Purchasing New Pallets? Choose a Pallet Company with Quality Assurance.
Whether you need standard-sized pallets or the custom designs discussed earlier, when buying new pallets consistent quality is essential.
To find the best pallet company for new pallet purchases, consider the following:
Custom Design Capabilities
If your needs extend beyond standard sizes, the ability to design and manufacture custom pallets with the technical expertise described previously remains crucial.
Vertical Integration
For companies prioritizing consistent quality and reliable supply when purchasing new pallets, partnering with a vertically integrated pallet company offers significant advantages.
The best pallet company for the job will often have control over the entire manufacturing process, from sourcing raw timber at their own lumber mills to the final assembly of the pallets. This end-to-end control ensures greater oversight over material quality, reduces reliance on external suppliers (which can introduce variability and potential delays), and allows for more stringent quality checks at every stage of production. By managing the lumber milling and processing in-house, the company can better guarantee the quality and consistency of the fundamental building blocks of their pallets, ultimately leading to a more reliable and high-performing product for the customer.
Automated Manufacturing
For both standard and custom pallets, the best pallet company will leverage automated machinery somewhere in their manufacturing process. This automation ensures a high level of precision and consistency, guaranteeing that every shipment of pallets meets the agreed-upon specifications and quality standards. This reduces the risk of faulty pallets and ensures reliable performance.
Click here to learn about Kamps’ New Pallet Capabilities
Large Multi-Location Footprint? Select a Pallet Company with a Wide Network
If your business operates across various geographical locations, partnering with a pallet company that can support your entire footprint is vital for streamlining operations and potentially achieving cost efficiencies.
The best pallet company for multi-site businesses will offer:
Extensive Network
Look for a company that boasts a large and well-established network of locations. This network should ideally cover your current operational areas and also have the capacity to support your future aspirations and growth into new markets.
Consistent Service Standards
A strong network allows the company to provide consistent service levels, local service, and quality across all your locations, simplifying communication and ensuring a unified approach to your pallet management needs.
Click here to learn about Kamps’ 400+ National Pallet Network
Looking to add cost savings by recovering pallets after shipment?
Whether you’re utilizing new, custom, or used pallets, watching your valuable wooden pallets disappear after reaching their destination can be frustrating. Investing in pallets only to see them lost, recycled by others, or simply vanish from your supply chain can significantly impact your bottom line.
At Kamps, we understand this challenge. Our Comprehensive Pallet Lifecycle Services (CPLS) is specifically designed to address the costly issue of pallet loss. By implementing CPLS, you gain a strategic partner dedicated to helping you recover and reintegrate your pallets, maximizing their lifespan, reducing your overall pallet expenses, and creating a more sustainable and efficient supply chain.
Click here to learn about our CPLS Program
Finding The Best Pallet Company: Your Next Steps
Identifying the best pallet company for your specific needs requires careful consideration of the factors outlined above. Take the time to assess your requirements in each of these areas and then research potential partners. Don’t hesitate to ask detailed questions about their capabilities and processes.
Above all, discuss commitment to customer service. The most robust capabilities can be a non-value-add if they are not implemented with the correct intentions. The focus of your pallet partner should always be customer service and the success of your supply chain.
By focusing on your unique needs and looking for a pallet company that aligns with these requirements, you can forge a partnership that contributes significantly to the efficiency and success of your supply chain.
