Pallets move the world: the case for developing system-based designs for unit loads

The largest domestic non-fuel use of wood fiber is the packaging and palletization of consumer and industrial products. Products that because of their form cannot be shipped or stored in bulk are consolidated or unitized for storage and transport. Most consumer and industrial products are formed int...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Forest products journal 2005-03, Vol.55 (3), p.8-16
Main Authors: White, M.S, Hamner, P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Composite materials
Consumption
Consumption data
Design
distribution (economics)
Equipment and supplies
Flooring
Forest products
Forest products industry
handling machinery
Housing starts
land transportation
Load
Logistics
logistics system
Materials handling
packaging
Pallets
Production data
Pulp & paper industry
Raw materials
Shipments data
shipping
Statistical data
storage
supply chain
Supply chains
Timber
unit loads
wood fibers
wood products
wood utilization
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Summary:The largest domestic non-fuel use of wood fiber is the packaging and palletization of consumer and industrial products. Products that because of their form cannot be shipped or stored in bulk are consolidated or unitized for storage and transport. Most consumer and industrial products are formed into unit loads for this purpose. A typical unit load consists of corrugated containers stacked on a pallet and stabilized with stretch wrap or other materials. It is estimated that more than 2 billion unit loads are in continual daily use in the US. The supply chain logistics system for the storage and movement of consumer and industrial products can impact the cost of consumer goods, the quality of our environment, and human health and safety. Many negative impacts can be avoided by a transition from today's component-based design principles to a system-based design of the consumer and industrial product supply chain.
ISSN:0015-7473
2376-9637