7 Reasons You Should Switch Wood for Plastic

Vantage Plastics is a leader in the thermoforming industry located in Standish, MI. We serve a variety of industries manufacturing products of all different sizes. Vantage Plastics can form sheets of plastic as thin as three tenths of an inch (0.03”), or as thick as one half inch (.500”). CNC, or Computer Numerical Control robotic trimming, drilling, and die cutting services are available on-site.

Plastic pallets are a big part of what we do and a need from many of our customers. Below are some of the reasons we feel that plastic pallets are an important switch for many people to make today.

REUSABILITY:

Plastic pallets typically have a lifespan far greater than wood pallets. Research suggests wood pallets are only good for an average of about 3 uses. This means businesses are spending far too much on repair or replacement costs. Plastic pallets can often be used as many as 50 times or more. Therefore, switching to plastic pallets may offer substantial savings.

VERSATILITY:

Vantage Plastics has an array of over 45 existing pallets to choose from. Most of these can be configured in a number of ways to accommodate special logistical needs. Additionally, we can work with any organization to investigate reducing overall logistics costs by developing customized pallet solutions.

Since plastic pallets can be customized to maximize product protection, products can be moved and delivered absent of damage, debris, or blemishes. This customization also allows for increased shipping density, and stacking of pallets when not loaded with products. These features, among others, all help reduce the costs of logistics.

STRENGTH:

Vantage Plastics understands how to manage a number of design and production variables which allows us to control of the strength of our plastic pallets to match project requirements. Some of these variables include the starting gauge of plastic sheet, design, single sheet or twin sheet forming, insertion of metal bars, material blends, and other proprietary formulations. Pallet loads of 25,000 pounds are made possible when these items are managed properly.

While wood pallets are susceptible to cracking, splintering, or breaking, and creating multiple issues as they are moved around, plastic pallets are much more robust. Thermoformed plastic pallets will general spring back into shape even after being rammed into something with a fork truck. Wood pallets will be destroyed when subjected to an incident of this nature.

IMPROVED SANITATION:

Plastic pallets offer the ability to be sanitized, while wood pallets may contain harmful chemicals, dirty easily, may harbor bacteria, absorb liquids, and thus can be unsafe for use. This is critical when shipping medical, or food products. In some cases, the FDA has banned the use of wood pallets for certain applications due to these issues.

ERGONOMIC FACTORS:

Wood pallets often become covered in harmful substances; such as: oil, chemicals, and water creating build-up of bacteria. This means workers are subjected to handling these unsanitary pallets, and exposed to possible health hazards. Plastic pallet’s ability to be sanitized eliminates this issue. Also, wood pallets often splinter and crack, subjecting workers to physical injury handling pallets. Plastic pallets decrease worker’s chances of experiencing injury drastically.

ENVIRONMENTAL ADVANTAGES:

Being environmentally conscientious is becoming an imperative for businesses. Switching from wood pallets to Vantage Plastic’s plastic pallets means saving trees, and reducing your environmental footprint! But this is not the only benefit.

At the end of the useful lifespan, Vantage Plastics can offer to buy back your pallets for their material value. This material can then be used to form new products.

ECONOMIC ADVANTAGES:

Many businesses use wood pallets because they seem like the least expensive option. However, when they conduct an analysis, several businesses are finding this to be a false assumption. There are several aspects to this analysis and Vantage Plastics can assist you in this process. Economic benefits can be attributed to all of the mentioned items.

Don’t be stuck in the same old “wooden” logistics trap. Bring some creativity to how you approach your logistics. Let Vantage Plastics help you lead the way.

Below is an Actual Case Study of Life Cycle Cost Analysis of Wood versus Plastic Pallets

A large OEM automotive company was using 96” x 78” wood pallets to ship parts. Each of these wood pallets was costing $7 to repair, as well as an estimated $150 in shipping cost per truck for in state shipments and $550 for out of state shipments with a density of 72 per load. These wood pallets were damaged and needing to be repaired after 1 or 2 shipments. This OEM required 24,000 pallet loads per year. The OEM decided to try using plastic pallets as an alternative. They found that these pallets lasted an average of 50 trips without damage, and due to a lighter weight saved them significant fuel costs. In this case, using custom designed plastic pallets manufactured by Vantage Plastics they only needed 480 pallets at a cost of $117.68 per pallet for a total of $56,500 (assuming 1 pallet lasting for 50 trips. When they were using wood pallets they needed 8000 pallets at $27 per pallet (assuming 1 pallet lasted 1.5 trips) plus repair costs for a total of $304,150. Thus switching to plastic pallets designed and manufactured by Vantage Plastics this large OEM estimated a savings of $247,650 per year!

CUSTOMER TESTIMONIAL:

“We have had good experience working with Vantage Plastics. When it comes to engineering expertise, quality, delivery, and customer responsiveness, I give them high marks!”

Brett – GHAFARI

Mission:

Forming Solutions, Forming Better Lives, Forming Sustainable Futures

Vision:

Growth through Excellence as a Leader in the Plastics Industry.