On the other hand, investing in sturdier and more durable pallets can actually be too expensive for a small or medium-sized business to afford. On top of the initial expenses, the business then also needs to worry about storage as well as management of the pallets.
In such a scenario, any business can benefit from pallet pooling. Pallet pooling refers to a service where an external provider provides the company with the exact number of pallets required to make the shipment.
One of the main benefits of renting pallets via pooling service is that you don’t have to be responsible for retrieving the empty pallets from your customers. The reverse supply chain will be managed by a pallet pool. The pallet pool service helps deliver pallets that you have ordered and collects them once they reach the end of the supply chain.
Here’s a look at the benefits of pallet pooling:
● No need to purchase pallets
Buying pallets is very expensive. Though the price of buying a single pallet is insignificant, buying the pallets repeatedly or buying them in hundreds or thousands of numbers to maintain the supply will add up to the cost.
● No hassle of recovering the pallets
Retrieving empty pallets from the final destination is a challenging task. Also, unlabelled pallets in good condition are at risk of being stolen or lost to the retail partners.
● Transportation of pallets
Even if you find a safe place for the storage of your pallets at the destination, you will still have to spend some more money and effort on retrieving them. You would either send one of your drivers to collect them or hire a carrier to get the pallets back. If you ship your products nationally, the cost of retrieving the pallets from distant retailers will be considerable.
● Repair pallets
If you use wooden pallets, they might get damaged by heavy equipment during usage. But they are easy to repair and reuse again. Wooden pallets are sturdy and durable and the best choice for transporting heavy items. But getting your wooden pallets repaired every time they get damaged can have a significant impact on your transport budgets.
● Storage of pallets
Having your own pallets helps meet higher demands during peak season. However, during the slower phases, you need to store a huge number of empty pallets in your facility. And these pallets need to be stored in compliance with insurance guidelines, dire codes, etc.
Now that you know the benefits of pallet pooling, here’s a look at how to choose the right pallet for your product:
● The choice of pallets depends on your budget and which type of pallet will provide the best value. You need to choose pallets that are cost-effective as well as durable.
● You also need to ask yourself if the pallets will work with your existing equipment.
● Another point to consider is if the pallet will be able to hold the load it is expected to carry. It depends on your product.
● You need to verify if the pallets are durable enough and how long they will last.
● Check if the pallets will hold their shape when fully loaded. Stiffness will ensure the safety of your products.
Considering the above-mentioned benefits of pallet pooling, every business should make a wise decision and save their time as well as financial resources.
