Plastic shield prolongs wooden pallet life by reducing fork lift damage

The main barrier to more widespread adoption of this system is that it is likely to be confined to "closed loop" distribution operations where the pallet stock is used and managed within a defined set of locations such that the pallets do not move outside the operation.  Open systems would allow the pallets to become dispersed and therefore it is unlikely that operators would achieve any return on the necessary investment if the pallets are subsequently exchanged with other companies.

 

Even in closed situations, the cost benefit of procuring, fitting and maintaining these devices will also have to be justified against the potential cost of pallet and product damage within an operation. Harsh operating environments such as movement of building materials or heavy pallets such as are found in beverage distribution operations, are likely to see the greatest benefit of fitting these devices.