what we like to call ‘cradle-to-cradle’ sustainability,” Pepperworth says. These advantages also translate into cost savings. Pepperworth points to a major fruit supplier in the Pacific Northwest that, during a typical month, had retailers reject as many as 20 wood- block pallets due to damage. “They are charged a fee for every returned pallet. Since switching to iGPS plastic pallets, they see as few as zero returns per month. It’s the exception instead of the rule,” he says. “They also see less product waste since plastic pallets are more uniform and are less likely to damage fruit. At a time when companies are fighting inflation and more focused than ever on sustainability, reducing product loss is a vital business priority.” OPTIONS GALORE BRING SUCCESS FOR ORBIS Oconomowoc, Wisconsin-based ORBIS Corporation, which provides reusable plastic pallets, totes, dunnage, and bulk systems, is “committed to providing the right pallet for the customer’s application,” says Zitzke. “We have the broadest range of pallets available to ensure that we have the best option, versus just picking from one or two.” The company also offers a full suite of services that range from customizable
financial options and on-site conversion support to training forklift drivers on proper handling techniques and educating customers on the benefits of reuse. “We also provide Packaging Life- Cycle Assessments, where we compare and evaluate single-use and reusable pallet options to determine the environmental impact of switching to reusable packaging,” Zitzke adds. “We provide data on factors like solid waste, energy use, water use, and greenhouse gas emission savings.” In addition, ORBIS helps customers determine their optimal float size and total cost of ownership using its engineering services team, and it offers full pallet management solutions through the ORBIS Reusable Packaging Management services team. Customers choose plastic pallets for numerous benefits. For one, they combat vibration issues in trucks and in automated systems through many different types of anti-skid options including grommets, frictional elements, deck texture, and scuffing, Zitzke says. Another advantage is that plastic pallets are display-ready, offering consumer-friendly looks in a multitude of colors for retail environments. “And ORBIS plastic pallets offer customization in material, colors, branding with molded logos or hot stamps/thermal transfer prints, barcoding, RFID, QR codes, and more,” she says. “Additionally, the Odyssey family of pallets offers
benefits,” she says. Additionally, many ORBIS pallets are made from up to 100% recycled content and are fully recyclable at the end of their useful life. MANAGING LOSS Business concerns are of course critical as well, and ORBIS offers GPS/ RFID/Smart Pallets that help track and trace shipments and are available “for customers who have concerns about managing loss throughout their network,” Zitke says. As just one real-world example, she notes a customer that was utilizing a pooled block pallet: “Because of the poor quality of this wood pallet, they had to use two pallets at a time in their racking environment in order to ensure a safe working environment where pallets wouldn’t fall through the racks, a consistent operation that wouldn’t result in damage to their boxed product from nails and splinters in the wood, and a reusable, long-term solution.” The customer switched to ORBIS Odyssey pallets with steel reinforcements and molded-in frictional elements and was able to streamline operations, increase uptime in their system, reduce product damage, and ensure operator safety. “ORBIS is committed to our customers and providing them the best service over the life of the pallet, as well as having high-quality, sustainable products at fair prices,” Zitzke says.
A CUSTOMER-CENTRIC APPROACH KEEPS KAMPS ON TOP
custom options with solid or open deck, lip or no lip, and four different reinforcement configurations to ensure that the pallet is built exactly for the application needed,” Zitzke adds. On the sustainability side, all ORBIS pallets are fully reusable and support the circular economy. “Their reusability—400 trips versus 11—drives environmental
Kamps, with headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan, sells and recycles wood pallets from more than 400 locations nationwide. “We are one of the largest national pallet companies in the United States. As a customer-centric pallet distributor, Kamps offers innovative services that add measurable value to your supply chain, eliminate interruptions, and provide peace of mind,” says Fuad Hasanovic, brand management specialist for Kamps. “We achieve this by following a consultative philosophy that begins with
Plastic pallet providers such as ORBIS tout the sustainability, customization, and durability of plastic pallets as advantages over wood pallets.
62 Inbound Logistics • May 2024
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