Are you looking for an efficient way for your business to frequently ship a significant amount of products from one location to another?
Palletization allows you to safely ship your products to an end-user by placing them together on a pallet to consolidate the load, simplifying the handling and transporting process. Pallets provide a strong base for the products while also allowing storage equipment such as forklifts and pallet jacks to transport them easily.
Throughout this article, we will highlight the benefits of palletization, different methods of palletization, and more.
Palletization is the process of placing goods onto a pallet to provide a base that facilitates efficient storage, handling and transport. The other purpose of palletization is to protect products on their way to the end-user.
Properly stacking and packaging products will have more benefits than those previously mentioned, those being:
One of the most significant benefits of palletization is optimized storage. Stacking on pallets minimizes the number of room products taken up in the warehouse and within shipping vehicles, saving you a lot of money on logistic services.
Pallets are made of plastic, metal, or the most common material used, wood. Regardless of the material used, pallets provide a much more robust solution than cardboard boxes or plastic wrap. The more sturdy structure of pallets also allows heavier products to be stored and transported without damaging the product.
Maintained pallets prevent any damage to your products. Storing and shipping products on a pallet also ensure that they are kept off the ground, which prevents contact with water or dirt. Palletization also provides circulation for your products which is vital for perishable goods.
Palletization makes monitoring each SKU easier as you will know the amount of merchandise stored on each pallet by simply looking at it, which will also give you a good idea of stock levels.
Unlike other storage methods like boxes and plastic wrap, pallets are reusable. Pallets are strong enough to be reused many times, though they will need to be repaired or replaced over time, which fortunately is a cost-effective process.
Pallets can be moved much quicker than manual handling products, leading to reduced labour, quicker turnaround times, and the maintaining of optimal temperatures for perishable products.
Pallets are lightweight and do not take up a lot of space, making them easy to move, store, and stack within a warehouse. Less floor space is required to store pallets, and workers can carry them when necessary, making them versatile within the warehouse.
Palletization makes material handling more accessible and efficient as special equipment isn’t needed for pallet transportation. Either a pallet jack or forklift will quickly move pallets while also preventing products from being damaged.
There are four primary forms of palletization, those being:
Proper palletization will reduce the amount your products will move on the journey to the end-user, preventing damage in the process. If any product ripples during the shipping process, the entire lot may tip as well, causing a significant amount of damage. That is why it is essential to pack your products correctly. Here are some basic rules to follow when loading palletizing a pallet:
Weight Distribution - When packing a pallet, put all of the heaviest items at the bottom and distribute the rest of the weight evenly across the pallet.
Fill Boxes - If boxes are not adequately filled, there can be crushed when the pallet is being moved, which will cause the stack to shift and cause even more damage. Be sure that each box on the pallet is filled to prevent crushing.
Stack Boxes Tightly: When stacking boxes on the pallet, be sure there are no gaps, this will cause them to open up more as they are being transported.
Align Boxes Properly - The edge of each box should align with the edge of the pallet, so they don’t overhang. Overhanging boxes will bump into other pallets, possibly causing damage to packages in the process.
Wrap Tightly - When wrapping your pallet, use three to five layers to ensure they are packed tightly; this will prevent the stack from moving and prevent some damage.
Palletization is the perfect solution for businesses that transport large amounts of product at a time. Proper palletization will simplify the shipping process and prevent damage to your products.
At FlexSpace Logistics, we provide palletization services at a majority of our warehouses across Canada. Our vast network of warehouses ensures that we can provide you with the services you need, regardless of where your business is located. We will handle each product with care and efficiency so you can get back to the more immediate needs of your business.
If you’d like to get started, get a quote today, or contact one of our FlexSpace Logistics advisors to find the right solution for your business at 1-844-985-3539.
