What Is the Difference Between Repaired and Remanufactured Wooden Pallets?
Wood pallets are a staple in the international commercial shipping industry. According to the National Wooden Pallet and Container Association, “...there are more than 1.8 billion pallets in service in the United States each day” and around “three billion wood pallets in circulation within the European Union.”
Even though there is a high volume of wood pallets in use each day, it is the most environmentally-friendly option available, as wood is 100% renewable, recyclable, and reusable. The commercial use of wood pallets also has the same eco-friendly life cycle, as they can be repaired and remanufactured for years.
We will provide information about the differences between repaired and remanufactured wood pallets and why commercial businesses should use them.
Differences Between Repaired and Remanufactured Wood Pallets
Wood pallets are used multiple times and repurposed as long as the wood is viable for shipping purposes. Due to the wear and tear of the materials involved to make wood pallets, there are two options to revive them: repair or remanufacture.
Before pallets are repaired or remanufactured, they’re assessed based on their overall quality throughout their lifetime. As they begin to weaken over time, pallet manufacturers assign grades to each pallet to document their quality. A pallet not requiring further repair or modifications is designated as grade A. This categorizes the pallet as new, sturdy, and reliable.
When pallets weaken further, lower grades are assigned between grade B and grade C. Manufacturers rarely offer pallets that reach the grade C designation, as these pallets have become too weak or unreliable to recirculate. These checks and balances within the pallet manufacturing industry help both the pallet users and manufacturers determine which pallets are most functional for their needs.
The main two differences between a repaired and remanufactured wood pallet are the manufacturing process and its costs for companies.
Repaired Pallets
A repair is required when a used pallet suffers excessive wear and tear. Perhaps some deck boards need to be replaced with new ones, nails may be missing, or the wood could be warped.
As part of the process, the pallets are sorted and evaluated to determine what type of repairs are required. Repaired pallets are often stronger as the recycled/reused wood material is drier, resulting in a strengthened wood pallet. Additionally, repaired pallets provide businesses with the same reliability as a new pallet but at a significantly lower cost.
Remanufactured Pallets
A remanufactured pallet takes usable parts from different used pallets and combines them with new lumber and materials, resulting in more cost-effective pallets. They are also as sturdy and reliable as new wood pallets.
Commercial businesses can take advantage of remanufactured pallets, as these can be tailored to meet the dimensions or size requirements they need for shipping their products.
When repaired or remanufactured properly, these wood pallets offer the same level of performance as new ones but at a fraction of the price.
Which Should I Use for My Commercial Shipping Needs?
The short answer? Either. Pallet manufacturers like Challenger Pallet make daily commitments to evaluating the quality of new, repaired, or remanufactured pallets. Those in need of commercial shipping can rest assured a pallet that undergoes the rigorous trials of quality checks and industry standards has a pallet they can rely on.
As with all wood pallets that make their way through Challenger Pallet, the sustainability factor of repaired and remanufactured pallets keeps them out of landfills and in constant repurposed use. For shipping customers looking to save more money on costs, these pallets can offer significantly more savings without having to sacrifice on reliability.
To add extra peace of mind while choosing pallets for overseas shipping needs, Challenger Pallet meets the heat treatment specifications certified by Timber Products Inspection. Each of our three main headquarters is equipped with a heat-treating kiln to elevate our pallets to the ISMP-15 certified status to allow international shipping to any country in the world.
Why You Should Use Remanufactured or Repaired Pallets
There are many reasons why commercial businesses should consider using remanufactured or repaired pallets.
Wood pallets are often just as strong and durable as newly made pallets and are a cost-effective option for commercial purposes. Companies should consider using them in their shipping strategy, as prices can be up to 50% less than a new wood pallet.
It also reduces waste and helps preserve our natural resources thanks to their recyclability and reusability for years to come.
If you are ready to purchase repaired or remanufactured wood pallets for your shipping business, Challenger Pallet is the largest pallet producer in the Intermountain West. We use sustainable practices to reduce waste, and we have our own wood recycling facility to remanufacture and repair wood pallets daily. Contact us today to learn more!