10 WESTERN PALLET
WPA Member Makes Impact Across the Pond
James Jones states that it has introduced an innovation set to dramatically improve the lifespan of wooden pallets. The product is a new variation of pointGUARD Pallet Protectors (WPA-member United Pallet Services.)
James Jones & Sons Ltd, one of the UK timber industry’s largest and most progressive timber companies, has revealed a new venture it says will dramatically improve the quality, length of life, and environmental benefits of wooden pallets, and significantly reduce their whole life cost. UPALL® manufactures and fits robust protectors at the points of entry on wooden pallets. This means the pallets last longer, need far fewer repairs and stay in circulation for longer than conventional unprotected pallets.
The protectors are based on the US pointGUARD invention, which UPALL® has redesigned and developed for the European market. Tests on the protectors at Virginia Tech show that they increase the lifespan of a wooden pallet by three times and potentially longer. This is because UPALL® – protected pallets experience substantially less damage with significantly fewer wood chippings and debris. This reduces downtime, equipment maintenance and housekeeping, and improves safety.
A UPALL protected pallet remains in circulation earning money for longer with quantifiable savings in inspection, repair, transport and trip costs. UPALL pallet-protectors guard key components of the pallets – blocks and base boards. The pallet is therefore much more resistant to impact, giving lower damage rates and extending the lifespan of the pallet. The pallets and their protectors are completely repairable to maintain high quality standards. All materials used are fully recyclable.
“The UPALL-protected pallet is a truly innovative and groundbreaking development in wooden pallets, which are critical to so many supply chains,” stated Gil Covey, Chairman of UPALL Ltd.
“Rigorous independent testing and trials show that this proprietary product brings remarkable increases to the lifespan of a pallet and reduces its cost significantly. Meanwhile, the considerable increase in service life gives significant environmental advantages over unprotected wooden pallets.”
The protectors can be supplied in corporate colors, with printed logos and other designs. The enhanced appearance of the pallets makes them ideal for display directly at the point of sale in retailers.
The UPALL product uses virgin copolymer polypropylene pallet protectors, which are fitted to new high-quality, heat-treated and kiln-dried wooden euro
pallets (800 x 1200). Quality construction and consistent dimensional tolerances ensure the pallets remain suitable for all mainstream handling equipment and are compatible with automated handling and storage applications.