Modern Materials Handling - October 2011

ing: purchase price (95%),strength (95%), availability(93%), and durability (92%).However, when consideringplastic, prioritieshave shifted. Lastyear, strength and durabilitywere the top priorities(92% each). Thistime around those factorsare still the top considerations,but they are lessimportant (83% and 82%,respectively) to end users.Weighing into a location’spallet choice can be anumber of factors, includingsanitary issues, durability and quality.“We would only change to reduce costbut probably would not change fromplastic,” explains one respondent. “Wehave found the plastic pallets give usthe highest number of turns, literallymeasured in years of service with asWhat is your company’s potential forparticipating in a pallet retrieval/recoverysystem or in a third-party pallet rental system?Would stronglyconsider/Would considerSource: Peerless Media Research Group22%23%Might consider 37%33%Would not consider 34%38%Don’t know what aretrieval/recovery system or3rd party rental system is7%7%many as five or six trips per week.”Among the other materials highlightedin the survey, 14% of respondentsindicate they use some woodcomposite pallets, 8% say they usesome cardboard/corrugated, and7% say they use some metal pallets.20102011Respondents, however, didnot indicate in what quantitiesalternative pallets arepurchased.But, of course, everypallet has a unique purpose.For example, corrugatedor transport palletsare designed for one-timeuse, often going from amanufacturing operation toa distribution center whereproduct is repalletized andstored. .And, althoughmore expensive, aluminumpallets are lightweightand strong which makesthem ideal for transport in the airlineindustry.Every operation is different and palletusage depends on what and whereproduct is moving. But according toScholnick, “All pallets have place in themarket.” MRIDER LIFTS FOR MEZZANINES &AUTOMATED MATERIAL LIFTS FOR MEZZANINESINCREASE MEZZANINE UTILITYSAFER LOADING & UNLOADINGFASTER LOADING & UNLOADINGCOST EFFECTIVE1-800-843-3625www.advancelifts.commmh.com Modern Materials Handling / O c t o b e r 2 0 1 1 29