Pallets are wooden, flat structures used to bundle goods into larger, more efficient loads. They enhance efficiency as the goods become easier to handle, stack, store and transport.
The design and construction of wooden pallets are typically uncomplicated, and they provide an excellent balance of weight, strength, durability, and cost-effectiveness.
A pallet features a top and bottom deck that adds extra stability, whereas a skid only has a top deck. This makes a skid slimmer in profile and lighter in weight compared to a pallet.
Yes, Australia follows a standard pallet size that is square-shaped and measures 1165mm × 1165mm. The RACE (Railways of Australia Container Express) containers can accommodate two Australian standard pallets effortlessly side by side. These pallets were initially made of hardwood; however, we can produce the same design using pine.
It is important to note that there is no globally accepted standard size for pallets.
Given the range of pallet options available, determining the appropriate pallet type can be challenging.
Fortunately, we can assist you in choosing from our standard pallet sizes, constructing pallets based on your provided specifications, or even developing a customised design that is tailored to your specific needs. Regardless of the approach, we guarantee that your pallet solution will be fit-for-purpose, cost-effective, safeguard your products, and enhance operational efficiency.
Opting for pallets that do not meet the required standards may lead to significant and costly issues for your business, such as product damage, expensive downtime, pallet replacement expenses, and even hazardous safety incidents.
With Westend Pallets' over 30 years of experience and proficiency, you can trust us to find the ideal pallet solution that balances top-notch performance with cost-effectiveness.
Determining the most suitable pallet for your products involves considering several factors, including:
Pallet designs can be adjusted according to their specific use, such as:
At Westend Pallets, we can help you select the most appropriate pallet solution based on your specific requirements.
When choosing pallets, it's important to consider whether hardwood, pine or a combination of both would best suit your needs.
At Westend Pallets, we believe in sustainable practices and responsible use of resources. Buying wooden pallets from us does not harm the environment. Both pine and hardwood timber is renewable, reusable, and recyclable products.
Using wooden pallets is a more environmentally friendly option than plastic pallets which are made from limited fossil fuels. We use lower grades of timber from wood and mill residue to manufacture our pallets, which improves the percentage recovery of timber from a log.
We also recycle our sawdust and timber offcuts to be used as a fuel source or organic material for mulch. Rest assured that when you choose Westend Pallets, you are making a responsible and sustainable choice for your business and the environment.
Pallets can be made with 2-way or 4-way entry, which refers to the number of sides that have openings for insertion by handling equipment like pallet jacks or forklifts.
The most commonly used pallets in Australia are 2-way entry or bearer pallets, which have an internal frame of parallel pieces of timber called bearers. The pallet structure is formed by nailing top and bottom deck boards to the bearers, and forklift tynes can enter the pallet from two sides, parallel to the bearers.
Another design is the partial 4-way entry or notched bearer pallets, which are not common in Australia. They have notched bearers and can be inserted from four sides.
Block pallets are 4-way entry and have a bow in the internal frame made from a combination of a thin board or stringer and blocks. The top and bottom deck boards are nailed to the bow to form the pallet structure, and the use of blocks means that the pallet can be moved from any of the four sides.
A skid is a single-deck, two-way entrance pallet with no bottom deck.
The design will be influenced by the method of transportation you plan to use. While forklift tynes have adjustable spacing and are slimmer, pallet jacks don't have such features. Thus, if you intend to move your pallets with a pallet jack, we will adjust our design accordingly.
The weight capacity is an important safety consideration as wooden pallets can be vulnerable to damage from weather conditions and overuse.
The weight capacity can also be affected by the intended usage of the pallet.
A pallet design will have three different weight capacities depending on the three different styles of usage.
At Westend Pallets, safety is a top priority and we take into account several factors before recommending the most suitable pallet design for your needs. We use pallet design software to analyse nominal weight capacities under various scenarios and can customise designs accordingly.
ISO shipping containers can accommodate different types of pallets depending on their dimensions and the type of container.
For the general purpose or dry freight containers:
For refrigerated or reefers containers:
Finally, for the freezer or chiller containers:
It is important to consider the pallet size and type to ensure a proper fit and safe transportation of goods in ISO shipping containers.
The Euro pallet or EPAL pallet is the standard pallet used in Europe, which is specified by the European Pallet Association (EPAL). There are four common sizes of EUR pallets including:
Wooden crates are commonly used for transporting or storing large and heavy objects, as well as items that need extra protection during transportation or storage.
Wooden crates are a popular choice for transporting and storing goods of various sizes and weights. While there are numerous designs available, the three most commonly used are solid, gabled, and frame crates. Solid crates are fully enclosed using materials such as plywood or timber boards, with minimal gaps to allow for expansion. They provide excellent protection during transit and storage. Gabled crates, also known as Hit and Miss crates, feature gaps between the timber boards to create an open-slatted appearance. These crates are useful when improved ventilation is needed or to reduce the load weight while still providing adequate protection. Finally, frame crates consist of a skeletal structure with no added material for surface or anti-theft protection. When choosing a wooden crate, consider the specific needs of your goods to determine the best design for your transportation or storage requirements.
Are you planning to export your goods using wooden crates? Here's some additional information you might find useful. At Westend Pallets, we comply with export regulations by heat-treating all of our wooden crates in our onsite kiln. Plus, our crates have thick bottom bearers that allow forklift access for easy lifting.
We provide all of our crates with a loose lid, but you can choose to opt out if you prefer. And if you need more convenient access for packing, we can even customise the crate design to include a loose side or end. At Westend Pallets, we want to make sure you have the right crate for your needs.
Choosing the right crate involves several factors, including the weight and size of your items, the positioning of bearers, access points, and the level of protection required. At Westend Pallets, we take into account all these factors and more to tailor the perfect crate solution for you. Discuss your unique storage and transportation requirements with us, and we'll design a customised crate that fits your needs perfectly.
No, we don't keep any pre-made crates in stock. We understand that each product has its unique requirements and, therefore, design and manufacture each crate to order, customised to your specific needs.
At Westend Pallets, we offer two options for the delivery of your crates. The first is fully assembled and complete with a loose lid, ready for immediate use. Alternatively, we can deliver your crates flat-packed for you to assemble at your convenience, which can be a more cost-effective option. Whatever your preference, we're here to accommodate your needs.
At Westend Pallets, we take pride in sourcing our timber from environmentally sustainable and responsibly managed plantations. We work with suppliers who are certified to meet the strict requirements of the Australian Standard 4707:2014, which outlines the Chain of Custody for Forest Products. Our timber is sourced through the Responsible Wood Certification Scheme for Chain of Custody, which ensures that our products come from sustainable sources and can be traced back to their origins. By using certified timber, we can ensure that our products are not only of the highest quality but also environmentally friendly.
Fungi that grow on and in wood can cause various stains and decay or rot. One of the most common types is blue stain, also known as sap stain, which looks like mould and appears as a mottled or streaked bluish or greyish stain in the sapwood of many species. Fortunately, the blue stain does not have a significant impact on the strength of the wood.
At Westend Pallets, we do not use chemically treated pine or hardwood for our products. Instead, we source sustainable and well-managed plantation timber that is naturally resistant to decay and insects. Chemically treated timber is typically used for external applications like decking and cladding, and it has been treated with chemicals to protect against decay and other deteriorating factors in the long term.
Timber dunnage is an essential tool in ensuring the safe transportation and storage of goods. These are pieces of timber that are used to support and protect items from potential damage that may occur during packing, transportation and storage. Dunnage can be used to secure items together or to separate them to prevent any slippage or jostling during transit. With timber dunnage, you can have peace of mind knowing that your goods are well-protected and secure.
When it comes to dunnage, softwood (pine) and hardwood are the two main options available. Pine is often the preferred choice due to its affordability and lightweight properties. However, hardwood dunnage is more resilient and longer-lasting, making it a great choice for situations where the dunnage will be used multiple times.
Strap grooved timber is a process of removing a channel of wood along the length of a piece of timber, which provides a secure place to fasten strapping for securing loads during transportation. This technique is useful for making sure that loads remain stable during transit, preventing potential damage. At Westend Pallets, we offer strap grooving for timber in two different sizes - 19mm and 38mm - depending on your specific needs.
At Westend Pallets, we stock a wide range of the most commonly used timber sizes in pallet construction. We can also cut dunnage to specific lengths if required. And if you need a size that we don't stock, don't worry - just give us a call and we'll work with you to create a custom solution that meets your needs.
ISPM 15 is a crucial standard for wooden pallets and crates that are exported to other countries. It is an international treaty administered by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) that aims to prevent the spread of invasive species of insects and plant diseases. The standard sets out criteria for regulating wood packaging material in international trade, and all wooden pallets and crates must comply with its requirements.
Westend Pallets is accredited with ISPM15, which means that we can provide you with compliant wooden packaging material for your exports. With our accreditation, you can have peace of mind that your goods will be delivered safely and in compliance with export regulations. If you have any questions about ISPM 15 or need assistance with your wooden packaging material, talk to us and we'll be happy to help.
The answer is yes! At Westend Pallets, we are a certified heat treatment manufacturer, and we can build and heat treat pallets and crates to comply with the ISPM15 requirements for shipping wood packaging abroad. Rest assured that we are regularly audited by the Australian Wood Packaging Certification Scheme (AWPCS) to ensure that we maintain the high standards of ISPM 15 for exports.
To ensure compliance with ISPM 15 standards, it's essential that your timber packaging meets certain requirements. These include meeting the required bark tolerance and undergoing an approved ISPM 15 treatment by a certified provider or manufacturer. Additionally, the packaging must be marked appropriately.
At Westend Pallets, we take compliance seriously. Our export wood packaging products are heat treated in our onsite kiln to achieve a minimum core temperature of 56°C for at least 30 minutes, which meets ISPM 15 requirements. So, you can have peace of mind that your products will meet the necessary standards for overseas shipping.
At Westend Pallets, we ensure that all of our timber packaging products comply with ISPM 15 regulations for export. We mark each pallet, skid, crate or dunnage with an approved IPPC "HT" mark on two sides, which indicates that the product has been treated and meets the necessary requirements for international shipping. This stamp or stencil serves as a clear identification that the timber packaging is ISPM 15 compliant.
ISPM 15 regulations apply to any wooden packaging material, including pallets, skids, crates, bins, dunnage and pallet collars made from both pine and hardwood. However, engineered wood products such as plywood, particle board, and veneer are considered low-risk and are exempt from ISPM 15 regulations.
The ISPM 15 standard states that timber packaging remains compliant as long as it is not altered. However, it's important to note that the treatment only addresses pests present during the treatment and does not guarantee protection against re-infestation after treatment. In other words, the effectiveness of the treatment depends on preventing any changes to the packaging and maintaining proper storage and handling procedures to avoid any potential re-infestation.
Yes, we offer delivery services to keep your operations moving smoothly.
A pallet space is an area required to accommodate one standard-sized pallet, which is typically 1200mm in length and 1200mm in width, based on the size of an Australian standard pallet measuring 1165mm x 1165mm. Trucks typically have a tray of 2.4m, which allows them to carry two pallets side by side. Understanding pallet spaces is crucial when planning for shipping and logistics to ensure that the right number of pallets can fit on a truck or in a warehouse space.
