Pallets are versatile, sturdy, and help business owners make maximum use of storage space. Merchandise can be stacked three to six pallets high, depending on total weight and height, to minimize floor space usage. That increases the size of any storage space by a factor of three at the very least. They are also an ideal way to package and ship merchandise via rail, truck, air, or sea. Items can be stacked, shrink wrapped, and quickly loaded into cargo holds. A four-sided pallet in San Antonio, for example, can be accessed on all sides by a forklift. That means inventory can be moved from any direction, which adds flexibility to the way pallets are placed into transportation containers.
The advantages are many, but there are some limitations to the designs of standard pallets. They vary in size, but most are square and flat. There are no lips on the edges to hold items on the pallet or to attach a brace or bracket to keep some items in place. Straps can be used to hold items down because they can be weaved through the planks. That will work with some merchandise, but will not hold or protect top-heavy, odd-shaped, or fragile pieces. A sculpture with a narrow base, a display stand on wheels, or a three-dimensional sign for the latest science-fiction movie premiere could not be moved on a standard pallet in San Antonio.
Another limitation is the total weight pallets can hold. Those made of polymer resins, hardwood, and steel have a higher limit than most but still may not be sufficient for machinery, carnival rides, or jet planes. A custom-made pallet can be designed, built, and packed to support, protect, or hold just about any item. The experts at Crate Master, for example, have designed pallets with reinforced planks, half walls, hinged doors, and wheels or casters. Bracing can be added at strategic points, foam and cushioning can be added to support fragile elements, and pallets can be made in all shapes and sizes. Do not risk a personal or business asset by moving it on a standard pallet when it is easy to have one custom made for the purpose.
