Pallet purchasing costs are far higher than for solid fibre, corrugated or plastic slipsheets. Since the implementation of the new worldwide FAO ISPM 15 (Regulation of Wood Packaging Material in International Trade) standard, wooden pallet producers have had to raise their prices to cover additional handling costs. Additional costs can vary anywhere from 5% to 10% of the selling price and are paid by the pallet user. In many countries, insurance companies have imposed strict requirements in response to fire department safety measures. Rules are becoming increasingly stringent and in some cases, insurance premiums have increased by as much as 300%. (Source: EPVisie, Iss. 11, 2003). Pallet usage also entails pallet return costs. In many cases, used pallets are under deposit and have to be sent back to the producer. This means that trucks loaded with pallets drive thousands of extra kilometres every year transporting thin air! Other disadvantages of pallets are the pallet rental companies themselves. Pallets also need to be accounted for – the quantity of pallets being returned remains a perpetual uncertainty, as is the time of their return. Moreover, there is the wasted space used to store empty pallets in warehouses. Ultimately, all these additional costs are passed on to the customer. Although actual transport and administration costs are unknown, savings can be considerable.
The benefits of slipsheets are:
- Lower purchasing costs
- More volume and weight capacity available in containers
- 98% less empty stacking space
- Less handling
- No administration costs
- Environmentally friendly
- No damages to goods
- Improved hygiene
- Easier to clean
- HACCP and ISPM 15 compliant
Disadvantage of Slipsheets:
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The environment is an important issue nowadays. Slipsheets are particularly environmentally friendly. Increasing numbers of companies are producing slipsheets from recycled materials, e.g. cardboard or plastic, that are of the same quality as regular slipsheets.
Click here for more about inexpensive single-use pallets.