Category: News

Avoiding The Common Mistakes in Palletising

As great and as sturdy as plastic pallets are made, they have to be correctly handled and used to ensure their quality is not compromised due to common mistakes that can be avoided.

Common mistakes found in the mishandling of pallets arise when planning does not take into the account the 4 main factors below.

 

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Selection of Pallet Size

Size of product must not exceed the dimension of the pallet. If that is done, it is very likely that the product will not be centralised for an even distribution of weight causing the load to be tilted or lopsided.

Some may ignore this factor especially when there is only a small load to handle or they are pressed for time in meeting the logistic requirements. However, this ignorance may damage the goods, cause accidents and spillage which ultimately will result in extra time for clean up or in worse case scenario, attending to injuries.

Aside from the above and having to pay compensation to employees and incurring losses for damaged goods or even penalty for delayed delivery, the long-term effect could very well be the confidence toward to the manufacturer hence affecting brand image and business sustainability.

Knowing the Load & Specific Requirements

Apart from selecting the right size pallet, there are other elements that need to be factored in to ensure secured delivery. For example, there are sensitive or fragile products which need safety rims on the pallet or goods which will be transported to countries with extreme temperature should be loaded on weather appropriate pallets.

Labelling the goods adequately and clearly with warning will certainly help to alert the employees to handle them accordingly including their stacking resistance in order to prevent any damages to the goods.

Securing the Load

Certain merchandise especially bottles and glasses need an extra layer of protection during transportation. One of the most common mistakes is using insufficient strapping or film to protect the goods after palletising.

It is pertinent to use an adequate amount of strapping or film to fasten, secure and protect the goods from slipping, toppling over and breaking.

Proper Placement of Load

Check to ensure that the load is properly nested within the pallet. Inspect thoroughly to prevent unbalanced load that may jeopardise the overall efficiency and safety of the transportation process.

Stacking of goods on the pallet must be done evenly and never on just one corner or half of the pallet. A basic step but one which will significantly affect the load stability.

Utilisation of Retention Elements

Another preventive step is to utilise pallets with anti-slip feature for better grip of the merchandises. Taking into account the various types of goods being produced and transported, there are even specially designed plastic pallets with spill prevention control for better containment of the goods.

Mishandling in any of the categories above coupled with for example, unskilled handling of forklift and uneven transport surfaces to name a few may cause accident or damages to goods. Therefore, it is prudent to perform safety measures by understanding the loads being carried and what are the best pallets to support them securely.

Good warehouse operation takes into account not only the timely delivery but the safety and security of employees as well as goods transported. Transportation risk should be minimised wherever possible and selecting the right plastic pallet help reduce the risk significantly.

If you need detailed information on the suitable type of reliable plastic pallets for your industry, please reach out to our product specialist here.

 

Managing and Optimising Your Pallet Inventory

Companies utilising plastic pallets in consideration of its multiple advantages and benefits have to factor in how to ensure their investment in this warehouse organiser can be maximised.

Managing pallet inventory is a different set of operational skill and one that needs to be mastered for efficiency.

The Process and Challenges of Managing Pallet Inventory

Plastic pallets which are sent out to move goods from manufacturers to retailers need to be sent back to the manufacturers for reuse. They need to come full circle for a significant number of times to make the investment worthwhile.

Below is the process of pallet retrieval that manufacturers need to manage.

 

Referencing the process above, warehouse managers have challenges that they need to overcome at every process stage. Multiple informed decisions are to be made in maintaining the efficiency of the whole supply chain.

Each process stage entails specific task that will need to be performed meticulously. For organisations, this means investment in skilled manpower, tools and storage space; not to mention good time management throughout the process.

 

They are challenges as each stage needs to be coordinated, managed and monitored by the warehouse manager. The warehouse manager is the ultimate quality inspector if pallet inventory is self-managed.

The question is, are you prepared to manage these processes on your own and how efficient can you run it? The good news is, there is an alternative and it is a specialised one.

Outsource Your Pallet Inventory Management

Contracting a company specialising in pallet pooling allows manufacturers to focus on their business fundamentals while the specialist handles all aspects of pallet management for the efficiency of their operation.

Companies providing pallet pooling services manage the entire process from end to end and most importantly they are responsible for providing quality pallets favoured and accepted by retailers.

Mah Sing Plastics Rental is a flexible and affordable programme established to ease the operation of its clients. It is one which enable manufacturers to decide on the rental duration whilst enjoying cost-effective yet efficient services.

For more information on Rental programme, please reach out to our product specialist here.

 

When should one opt for plastic pallet and how suitable is it for your line of business?

As a business operator, you have to ensure that your decisions are prudent and made based on concrete information.

One needs to be well-informed as investment in warehouse organisers forms an important basis to a well-oiled operation that will perform efficiently.

Is Plastic Pallet Suitable for You?

Plastic pallet has been working wonders for warehouse operations due to its characteristics and the very material they are made from.

 

The abovementioned 4 main characteristics composed plastic pallets making them highly suitable for even the most particular or sensitive industry.

Among the industries or products with strict conditions to adhere to are : –

Pharmaceuticals

An industry responsible for healthcare; manufacturing vaccines, medicines and biologicals needs an aseptic environment free from the living germs of disease, putrefaction or fermentation.

Plastic pallets which can be steamed cleaned, hot washed or chemically sanitised are the only viable option able to meet the stringent hygiene requirements of cleanroom manufacturing.

Food Produce

Next in line apart from medicine would be food ingested by consumers. Unhygienic handling of food is an unacceptable treatment to prevent sickness and disease associated with its mishandling.

Failure to meet this requirement may also result in load rejections by retailers causing losses in monetary and brand confidence of the manufacturer.

Plastic pallets help manufacturers and transporters meet the various food safety requirements.

Paper Products

Paper products especially those meant for cleaning purpose or in contact with human skin need to be kept properly packaged and sealed to ensure that they are safe and sanitary to use.

Plastic pallets which are fabricated uniformly with no sharp edges, splinters or debris which could be commonly found on wood pallets are most appropriate in preventing damages to the packaging.

Heavy Products

Liquid and industrial products such as auto parts and steel components are dense and weighty requiring sturdy platform when transporting them from point to point.

Plastic pallets, able to carry up to 5,000 pounds are therefore the leading choice in handling such significant volumes.

Advantages of Uniformity in Plastic Pallets

One of the best advantages of being created uniformly is the ability to contribute to seamless operation where automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) is being used.

Its predecessor, the wooden pallets simply do not fare as well in this aspect. They vary in sizes or dimension and weight with its density affected by moisture absorption which can increase the weight or even expand the size resulting in irregular pallets.

Plastic pallets with its many advantages ensure that ASRS systems are being maximised to their full potential in handling the highest throughput possible whilst minimising the errors and clean-up interruption from using wooden pallets.

In summary, plastic pallet truly outshine its competition with its superiority as warehouse organiser and shipping platform in terms of safety, sanitary, security and savings.

For detailed information on the suitable type of reliable plastic pallets for your industry, please reach out to our product specialist here.

 

We live in a plastic era where our lives are so dependent or surrounded with plastic; from the packaging of our online shopping, take-away containers, detergent bottles etc. Such a prominence it is that its accumulation is an ongoing, expanding issue that we have to deal with.

Organisations across the industries are thinking of ways to incorporate better business practices that will help preserve the environment. Sustainability is no longer an option but a mandatory factor moving forward if mankind is to safeguard the environment for the next generation.

Kindness in Plastic

Kindness in plastic pallet industry comes in the form of recycling plastic for its manufacturing. Instead of relying on virgin plastic, recyclable elements are being utilised to produce environmentally friendly plastic pallets.

However, in order to produce plastic pallets which are uniform and environmentally friendly, it comes with a prescribed condition in the form of colour selection.

When it comes to recycling plastic, colours play a large role in its final outcome. The plastic elements being recycled come in many forms and colours. Once combined, they unfortunately do not produce uniform colour that is pleasant looking which is a desire or requirement from the clients.

 

As with many products out there, the market demands finished goods which are attractive or at least pleasant looking, uniform and consistent.

One effective way of overcoming this mishmash of colours is to add in black pigment resulting in uniformity. It is simply an easier method to produce product consistency rather than having to sort recycle plastic by colour in order to create plastic pallets in various colours.

It is for this reason that black plastic pallets generally indicate they are made from recycled plastic. Recycling plastic in this matter makes the whole process more time and cost efficient.

Circular Business Model in Plastic Pallet Industry

As mentioned in the previous paragraph, manufacturing plastic pallets from recycled materials have been incorporated within the industry; creating a circular business model where the materials and products used are kept for as long as possible to get the maximum value from them.

With this business practice, the manufacturer will require less sourcing of new materials which in turn is kinder to the environment with less energy consumption in producing the raw materials.

However, this model will only be sustainable if there is market demand. If most clients are demanding and will only accept plastic pallets in vibrant colours of their choice, then it will no longer be viable model for the manufacturers who need to invest a great sum in the recycling machinery etc.

Some may not opt for plastic pallets made from recycled materials due to the impression that they are of inferior quality but the truth is far from it.

Recycled vs. Virgin Plastic

When it comes to satisfying the criteria required of plastic pallets, both recycled and virgin plastic are well able to do so.

Both types are : –

 

• Hygienic : Non-porous material with resistance to moisture preventing build-up of mould
• Easy to Maintain : Easy to clean surface which can be sanitised with steam or chemical
• Safe to Use : Plastic used to make pallets such as PP, HDPE or its recycled counterpart has no issues with chemical leaching making them safe even for food shipping including meat, dairy products etc.
• Safe Handling : Easy to handle being lightweight and splinter free

It is great to learn all the facts and benefits before you select your choice of plastic pallet that will be most advantageous to your business.

If you need detailed information on the suitable type of reliable plastic pallets for your industry, please reach out to our product specialist here

 

 

Plastic pallets have been classified as versatile and essential warehouse solution due to its extensive ability in being able to serve various industries across the board.

Warehouse and logistic managers require support in the form of reliable and widely accepted plastic pallets to ease their operations as well as to minimise the risk of their loads being rejected by authorities or the clients themselves.

While different industry comes with different requirements as depicted in Image 1, plastic pallets have been able to meet their requirements and standard.

Specific Industry Requirements

 

The material, design and quality of plastic pallets are features which enable its ability to be so versatile.

Backed by its foundation as a solid platform of choice, switching to plastic pallets is simply a viable option. From cost to maintenance and safety, they encompass a series of benefits to complement and facilitate effective operation.

Ease of Maintenance

Plastic pallets need not go through treatment to prevent growth of fungus or mould nor insect infestation; making them extremely easy to maintain.

Quick Cleaning

As a good hygiene practice, plastic pallets can be easily cleaned utilising various methods such as hot wash, steaming or chemical solution.

Safety

Moulded sleek and splinter free plus their lightweight feature, plastic pallets are easier and safer to handle.

Cost Saving

Being 30% lighter than wood pallets, it is a logistically wise choice for its great transportation savings.

Durable & Robust

A life span of up to a decade, the durable and robust plastic pallets can function with hardly any breakage; greatly reducing the need or cost to repair or replace them.

Recyclable

Even after many years of usage, plastic pallets retain their value by being recyclable. Churned out again as new pallets, they can be used for multiple years; an environmentally friendly and sustainable solution.

By virtue of its versatility and great strengths, plastic pallets have proven to be the ideal warehouse solution for many industries. In light of the current pandemic, it is more important than ever for warehouse managers to select a solution that can maintain stringent hygiene condition in order to protect not only the brand’s credibility but the safety and health of all its employees and users.

To get started on your journey of smooth operation via reliable plastic pallets, please be in touch with our Product Specialist here.

 

 

Pallets being used for storage and transportation as well as product displays in stores are certainly essential part of the supply chain eco system. Nowadays, pallets come in a few different materials with the more popular ones being made of wood or plastic.

Read on to understand the differences, advantages and disadvantages in order to make an informed decision in choosing the right pallets for your business.

Wood Pallets : Its Advantages & Disadvantages

While wood pallets as the precursor design and material, are generally good universal choice, its popularity was undermined by multiple weaknesses and deficiencies.

So much so that its popularity began to waver as logistics managers and warehouse operators began to deal with arrays of products with requirements and sensitivity demanding pallets of different material and better quality.

Pros : –

• Price : Wood pallets are about 3 times less expensive than plastic pallets
• Prevalence : They are 10 times more widely used and hence more readily available from a wider selection of suppliers
• Density : Its durability and strength allow it to hold heavier and bulkier loads
• Environmental Impact : Being biodegradable, wood pallets create less impact to the environment

Cons : –

• Contamination : Wood pallets are vulnerable to chemical or bacterial contamination. Due to the moisture inherent in wood, such pallets can harbour bacteria and potentially transmit moisture to exposed inventory causing damages and loss. It can also be susceptible to bugs making it harder to maintain. They are therefore not the material of choice for food and pharmaceutical industries.
• Injury : Handlers are commonly injured by wood splinters, warping of the pallets or protruding nails. Constant injuries to the workers will cost the company in terms of medical fee, downtime and efficiency of the overall process.
• High Cost : Increase of transportation cost in terms of air freight weight AND continual reordering cost due to its organic element susceptible to weakening or warping
• Liability : Pallets which are deemed as damaged or unsafe may by rejected by retailers to avoid liabilities in the form of injuries to their employees and acceptance of damaged goods. Manufacturers will then have to bear the cost of handling the rejected loads which will add up significantly thus reducing their profit margin.

Emergence of Plastic Pallet

As a result of the weaknesses found in wood pallets, inventors and manufacturers fervently look for better materials and proposed that pallets to be fabricated from plastics.

Plastic pallet production materialised in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s where a variety manufacturing processes such as thermoforming, injection moulding and rotational moulding were tried and tested to create better output.

Among the options, injection moulding is a popular process due to its precision ability where part consistency and reliability in high volume production is required. It is a technique which enables continual reproduction of pallets that remain equal in quality and stable over time.

Advancement of Plastic Pallet

Plastic pallet grew in popularity and expanded quickly due to its many advantages.

Pros of Plastic Pallet : –

• Durable : Can be reused up to 10 years and above without any breakage thus greatly reducing the cost of repair and replacement
• Low Maintenance : Moisture and insect resistant, plastic pallets need not be treated to prevent fungus growth, insect infestation etc.
• Easy to Clean : Plastic pallets aren’t porous making them easier to clean ; either steam cleaned, hot washed or chemically sanitised to remove bacteria especially during the current Covid-19 pandemic
• Safe Handling : Being lightweight, sleek and splinter-free, plastic pallets are friendly for manual handling
• Cheaper Cost : Approximately 30% lighter than wood pallets; transportation cost is greatly reduced by its lightweight feature
• Recyclable : 100% recyclable where it can be processed and remake into a new pallet. Vital in reducing waste as well as resources required.

As crucial warehousing tools, the above features are important factors contributing to a more efficient and safe operation. Less resources be it monetary, time or manpower are required to upkeep plastic pallets.

Advantageously, plastic pallets outperform its predecessor and most importantly, its recyclable quality is imperative in preserving a better environment.

Plastic Pallet Today

With the advancement of material sciences, so has the design of pallet and their quality. The plastic pallet today is solid, robust and very reliable.

At our state-of-art research and testing centre, we conduct extensive evaluation in order to create Mah Sing Plastics Pallet that is superior in its strength, rigidity and durability.

Each and every Mah Sing Plastics is made with precision and strict quality control. They are subjected to four crucial test namely: –

-Impact strength test

-Corner drop test

-Compression strength test

-Flexural strength test

These tests are conducted to ensure the pallet strength is able to handle heavy load without breaking easily and its rigidity (stiffness) is high that they do not easily bend under load. Both which are imperative factors contributing to the durability of the pallets. This is an assurance that Mah Sing Plastics commits upon for its customer’s peace of mind.

Start a conversation with our specialist to see how our expertise can meet your pallet needs.

 

Aside from the goods the pallets are handling, the handling of the pallets as an inventory itself is equally important but it is one aspect that may have been overlooked by some companies.

Managing pallets is not as easy as just finding storage space for them but there are in fact many critical issues to deal with in order to ensure a smooth operation flow.

Factors to Consider in Handling Your Own Pallet Management

Space

• Do you want to build or allocate warehouse space for the storage of pallets?
• As your business expands, the usage of pallets will multiply as well. How do you handle the additional space required?

Safekeeping

• Will the pallets be stored efficiently to maximise space and in accordance to safety requirement?
• Will they be handled correctly to minimise damage?

Upkeeping

• How do you ensure the pallets are safe to use in terms of no broken parts and meeting the hygiene standards of the industry?
• What method will you be using to sanitise the pallets and how often?
• Should you select steam cleaning, chemical cleaning, etc.?

Inventory

• Do you have a system or method to match your supply chain with right kind of pallets in the quantity needed?

Repair & Replacement

• Where and how fast can you get your required pallets repaired and replaced?
• What is the repair and replacement cost?

Tracking

• What system will you be using to keep track of where your pallets are?

Retrieval

• How frequent and fast can you retrieve your pallets for your next usage?
• What would be the cost for manpower and transportation?

If you are unable to answer most or part of the questions above, chances are, your supply chain will be greatly affected.

Factoring in all the requirements, you will probably conclude that it is simply more viable to outsource your pallet requirements and management to a third party; a specialist who will manage your pallet needs efficiently, ensuring the smooth operation of your supply chain and expansion of business.

Focus on Your Profit

As a business owner, your focus and priority should be management of your goods which will bring sales and profit for your company.

While pallets play an important part in a company’s supply chain, they are but an expense to the company. There is no return on investment (ROI) and in fact, the cost of pallets makes up a part of the company’s total cost of business (TCOB) in delivering goods to its clients.

Taking on the management of pallets on your own effectively means dedicating finances, time and manpower to a product line that will never turn a profit.

Considering the vast effort in managing and maintaining pallets, many companies find it more sensible and efficient in utilising pallet rental programmes.

Your Solution : Pallet Rental Programme

There are many advantages in going for pallet rental programme.

• No Heavy Investment : A company need not invest a substantial up-front fee to purchase pallets
• Options : Choices of quality pallets which are inspected and well-maintained are viable options for customers
• Efficiency : Established pallet suppliers ensures uninterrupted productivity and better operation through skilled management of their pallet pooling system
• Flexibility : Rental programme enables the flexibility in selection of type of pallet, quantity as well as rental duration

In our earlier sharing (insert link of “Plastic is Better in Pallet World”), you would have read the disadvantages of wood pallets and benefits of plastic pallets. With the multiple advantages of plastic pallets, it makes more commercial sense for more and more companies in selecting them and is certainly a recommended choice for your business.

Having read through the complexities that may entail from self-management of pallets, your search of solution would be to find a reputable plastic pallet management partner that you can rely on.

Mah Sing Plastics Rental provides the flexibility that is in tune with your business needs. At an affordable rental rate with the option of daily, monthly and yearly rent, it is a fitting partner of choice.

Talk to us now to start your journey of effortless pallet management.