Running Head: WOODEN PALLETS 1

The Contribution of Wooden Pallets for the Logistics Industry

Maria Ximena Castaneda Antunano
Technische Universität München
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STATUTORY DECLARATION

Declaration of Authorship
I at this moment declare that the thesis submitted is my unaided work. All direct or
indirect sources used are acknowledged as references. I am aware that the thesis in digital form
can be examined for the use of unauthorized aid and to determine whether the argument as a
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and usage but are not granted here. The paper was not previously presented to another
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The Contribution of Wooden Pallets for the Logistics Industry

Chains of supply are developing from being simple to more complex. The development is
resulting from many factors such as the expansion of markets as well as stock keeping units
(SKUs). At the same time, production firms are striving when trying to make their chains more
efficient and effective. They are trying to make the strings more efficient to minimize the loss
caused by damages experienced when transporting goods from one place to another.one strategy
to be used in making the supply chain more effective and sustainable is examining the
company’s shipping and distribution processes. A wooden pallet can be defined as a flat
structure used to transport goods since it supports and stabilizes products while being lifted
utilizing a forklift, pallet jack and front loader among other load lifting devices. Wooden pallets
are one of the commonly used units in handling and storage of the produced goods since in many
cases they are used where the number of products to be distributed is large.
Wooden pallets play a significant role in logistic firms that use them during
transportation of goods. Cots are of high importance to distribution firms in all sectors such as
environment, the economy as well as in technical parameters. Economically they play a
significant role in reducing the cost used in distribution. Technically, they make the
transportation process more effective since they are easy to apply. Ecologically, they enhance
human well-being by preserving the environment right from their processing to their usage.
Distribution of goods from the industry or the storage point is a very crucial process in any firms
since it determines how products will reach the consumers. Therefore, the distribution process
should be given much consideration as the case in other production processes. Wooden pallets
are very vital to firm’s especially logistic companies due to their impact on its activity that
determines its technical, ecological, and economic outcomes.
Considering the ecological impacts of wooden pallets to the logistic firms, it preserves
the environment that favors the industry itself and the neighboring societies. Pallets enhance
sanitation and sterilization of goods being transported from one location to another. The hygiene
is due to the regular treatment of pallets as they move to various supply chains. For instance,
pallets used to transport goods globally are required to undergo sterilization processes that
prevent the introduction and development of different invasive species. International protection
convections develops phytosanitary measures that describe the comprehensive measures to be
applied to wood materials used in packaging in all countries to minimize the risks resulting from
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the spread of pests that may be associated to wooden pallets (McMahon,2015). To reduce the
risks, various approaches that are eco-friendly are used during the process. Such techniques
include the use of heat treatment and fumigation using treated methyl bromide since it does not
pollute the environment.
Wooden pallets are also friendly to the environment since during their end life periods;
they are mulched, incinerated, and landfilled through the down cycling process. Mulching is a
form of recycling the wood that was recovered from being of less importance to its original
application (Haderspeck, 2013). To the logistic company, recycling is essential since they offer
an opportunity to improve energy since the decomposition of wood produces methane that will
act as a source of power to the company. Besides, pallets are prone to reusing where they are
used in transporting various types of goods without being replaced. They are very durable and
robust since even after breaking down they can be repaired and their usage continues.
Application of wooden pallets enhances the welfare of the environment by reducing the
number of polythene papers that could be used in packaging the goods during transportation.
Polythene materials do not decompose when subjected to the earth soil hence polluting the
environment by making the soil less fertile and unproductive (Vallely, 2016). Additionally,
polythene materials when burnt they destroy the ozone layer by subjecting carbon monoxide to
the atmosphere which causes global warming which is harmful to human existence. Wooden
pellets reduce the use of polythene packaging materials since they do not require other
supplemental materials to support their package. Wooden pallets lessen the number by
accommodating all the goods in one place where no polythene materials may be necessary.
Unlike other forms, wooden pellets require very little embodied energy during their
processing stages. Embodied energy is the power needed to produce material from its raw
materials and feedstock. Despite, the wooden pellets strong nature they require very little energy
hence making them more environmentally friendly. Transforming wooden materials requires
simple cutting, processing, and assembly that need very little investment of new energy
(McMahon, 2015). For instance, to assemble wood pellets one requires new energy below 56.9
per unit weight hence demonstrating the nature of wood pallets to preserve the environment.
Wood pellets provide an alternative use of an anthropogenic source of environmental
effects associated with the change in climate. Woody material cuts during land clearing process
are left to decay in piles hence increasing the wildfire fuel load. The thinning process increases
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both water volumes and owner profits accordingly hence increase in production. Wooden pellets
deliver various benefits for the area by providing both employment opportunities and improved
ecosystem services (Haderspeck, 2013). To conserve the environment wood residues covers the
soil in the site hence protecting it from any form of erosion that could result from soil bareness.
It was from the perspective that various organizations such as the EU claimed certification and
acceptance of forest operations due to their sustainable ecology standards that are met when
manufacturing wooden pellets. A balance of evidence reviewed here suggests that current rates
of wood-pellet production in the world have a positive impact on the landowner and the
environment at large.
On putting some consideration to the technical impact of wooden pallets, a good number
of these contributions are discovered. Wooden pallets are much durable and solid. Despite them
requiring very little energy during their making, it does not mean that they are not stable enough
to hold bulky and hefty products. Their strength makes them more reliable since they cannot
break down when accommodating heavy goods unlike in other pellets made of other materials.
Their durability increases their preference by many customers since they secure them from losses
that could result from breakdown of weak pallets. For instance, wooden pallets can hold more
than 1.5 tons without breaking down (Vallely, 2016). Also, they last for many years when they
are still in use since even after breaking, they can be repaired, and their use continues hence
reducing the cost incurred in acquiring new pallets.
Wooden pallets improve working conditions as well as safety in firms where they are
used. An adequately loaded wooden pallet is safe compared to a loosely stacked pallet that is
likely to fall and create potential body injuries. They are correctly measured and have correct
dimensions that enhance their packing and stacking even in many columns without falling.
Improperly dimensioned pellet presents a hazard to crews and other associates being trained in
the firm hence increasing chances of job injuries (McMahon, 2015). Since almost all wooden
pallets are, of the same size, an individual can get directions to build and repair even without
possessing any knowledge and experience about woodworking, unlike other pellets that have
specific sizes and dimensions hence portraying their availability and easy to use.
Besides, when using wooden pallets a lot of time can be saved. There is simple
equipment invented to handle these pellets during loading and offloading processes hence
reducing the time used to load and unload goods to and from the destiny. Rather than
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transporting individual boxes and bags, wooden pellets allow products to be carried in bulk
hence saving time consumed when moving one right after the other (Haderspeck, 2013). Unlike
other pallets, wooden pallets exert a lot of pressure to each other when stuck together. Increase in
pressure causes a lot of friction between the pallet surfaces. The increased pressure enhances the
stability of the products since they are not likely to slide over the other due to the roughness in
their surfaces.
Wooden pallets are very easy to customize when their need arises. Unlike other pallet
creations that have fixed dimensions, wood pallets can be tailored to fit the user’s needs. For
example, if the goods being transported are very tiny, wooden pallets can be modified where the
bigger spaces are covered to prevent the small goods from escaping. On the other hand, the small
areas can be uncovered hence allowing air circulation inside the pallet (Vallely, 2016).
Therefore, the modification allows the user to use pallet to meet his or her needs without
acquiring a new pallet hence making shipping safer and efficient.
In the world, wooden pallets control the pallet market and the economy. The control is
due to their cost, the quality they deliver and their all-time availability in the market. Unlike
pallets made from other materials, wooden materials are very cheap. The lower price is generated
from the materials used to the cost used in processing (McMahon, 2015). Wooden pallets are
made from wood, which is very competitive compared to other materials such as metal, and
plastic since it is provided by nature. Markedly, only a few types of equipment such as a
hammer and a nail are required, unlike other pallets that require special processing machines to
construct a wooden pallet. The low cost of wooden pallets makes their demand to be high since
many users’ needs standard transportation mode that will not reduce their profit margin. To
purchase or to hire a wooden pallet is very cheap, unlike other pallets that are very expensive
despite all of them serving the same purpose.
Wooden pallets promote the economy by creating more job opportunities more than those
produced by other forms of pallets create. The process of manufacturing wood pallets is very
long and therefore many individuals are incorporated throughout the process. From lumbering to
packaging, various job opportunities are formed hence reducing the rate of unemployment in the
country. People are employed to work as lumbers in forests producing trees to manufacture the
pallets. Others are used as drivers transporting the logs to firms where the pallets are made.
Besides, other youths get opportunities to distribute the built pallets to various logistic firms
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where they are most needed (Haderspeck, 2013). Others secure jobs as carpenters who are
responsible for transforming the wooden pallets from raw materials to finished products. All
these groups benefit from these opportunities created by wood pallets. As a result, their living
standards are improved since they receive wages to cater for their both primary and secondary
needs.
The quality of goods delivered when wooden pallets are used for packaging is likely to be
high. The quality is maintained since there are no instances when products are prone to
destruction for they are secured using the wooden pallets. Since goods are transported in large
quantity and when properly wrapped, their quality is maintained since all potential destructors
during storage and transportation are avoided. It is challenging one to break down the wooden
pallets and escape away with the goods since it is difficult to access the wood pallets. Therefore,
the security of products is maintained by preventing all forms of contamination unnecessary to
the goods. The sustained quality secures a good market place for the goods since all potential
consumers are aware of the maintained condition for they cannot purchase products with
deteriorated quality (Vallely, 2016). The trust built to customers leads to an increase in sales of
the company’s goods for the goods can meet customers’ requirements as well as their perception.
The addition in sales results to increased profit for the company obligated to distribute products
from the manufacturer to the target market, and as a result, the company develops since its profit
margins are increasing due to the already established demand.
The contribution of pallets and especially wooden pallets cannot be neglected in any way
whichever. They play a significant role in the economy, ecology, and technical considerations.
They enhance the environment by maintaining the soil by covering it hence preventing it from
any form of erosion. Technically, wooden pallets contribute by facilitating the transportation of
bulk goods from one location to another. Economically, they create job opportunities for many
people and leading to overall growth of the country’s economy. All these pieces of evidence
demonstrate the significant contribution of wooden pallets in comparison to other pallet
creations.
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References
McMahon, Jim. (2015). Palletless Racking: Expanding the Possibilities of Palletless Distribution.
Material Handling & Logistics, 70(6), 21-30.
Vallely, Ian. (2016). Cash and carry. Works Management, 69(7), 25-30.
Haderspeck, Jennifer. (2013).Delivering a path to sustainability: reusable containers offer
ecological, economic advantages. Beverage Industry, 104(6), 60-69.