Industrial pallets come in many sizes and strengths. Pallets serve to get freight or merchandise up off the floor, thus making it easier to move. Pallets also serve to store merchandise safely while awaiting sale.

Retail stores and manufacturing companies buy pallets in longer or shorter sizes to fit whatever style, weight or size necessary for their particular merchandise. Oak pallets are the most durable and normally made from scrap pieces of oak.

1. Presswood pallets are made from wood fibers. While not the strongest pallet available from pallet suppliers, they are stronger than cardboard pallets.

2. Buy the thicker industrial pallets for heavier loads. Longer-sized pallets serve best for large or bulky items.

3. Pallet suppliers often sell wholesale pallets in bulk made out of cheaper materials such as cardboard. These are fine for lightweight items, such as clothing, but can damage easily by accidental piercing of a forklift blade.

4. Find plastic pallets for sale for storing items such as food or drinks in convenience stores. Plastic pallets stack easily.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find pallet companies that sell plastic pallets capable of sustaining 2000 lbs.

Heavy-duty plastic pallets are durable and easy to clean. There are various strengths of plastic pallets. Some are best for lightweight merchandise, but some sustain much larger loads.

I recommend: See a selection of plastic and presswood pallets for sale along with price options at GlobalIndustrial.com.

Preview pallet distributors who develop used pallets and recycle them

Save money on wholesale pallets reconditioned for purchase. Pallet companies rework old, used pallets and make them just as good as new. Often, these recycled pallets are stronger than new pallets.

I recommend: See pictures of a variety of reconditioned pallets and save money at apallets.com. These pallet manufacturers use pallet-designing software programs that can calculate the capacity needed for any type load you need to move or store.

Perceive pallet suppliers who propose pallets and prices locally

Pallet companies often bid for the business of pallet users and give competitive pricing on wholesale pallets.

I recommend: Fill out a form and request a proposal from pallet suppliers in your area. A ZIP code puts you in contact with pallet suppliers closest to your business area.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Pallets of loaded merchandise are sometimes shrink-wrapped (usually lightweight materials transported on lighter pallets). Heavier merchandise moved on wooden pallets is usually covered in cardboard fastened to the sides of the pallets.
• •  Many retail store business owners shipping merchandise purchase enough extra pallets so that an extra pallet is strapped to the top of the freight shipment. This makes for greater stability and security when merchandise moves.