Products

Services

Pallets

For over 40 years, Joseph Forest Enterprises, Inc., has offered custom pallets for a wide variety of industries, providing their wood product packaging needs. We offer computerized design services to fit a pallet to your precise needs. No pallet is too small or too large for us to handle.

One of the most common of the standard pallet sizes is the 48” x 40,” shown below. This standard size has been long since adopted by the Grocery Manufacturer Association (GMA) as well as many other consumer products.

48 x 40: 2-way, Flushed Pallet	48 x 40: 4-way, Flushed Pallet

Each pallet requires "stringers," (also referred to as “runners”) to support the decking. The stringers/runners are typically made from 2 x 4 or 3 x 4 lumber cants.

• As an important factor to remember in the lumber industry, please keep mind that there is a difference between “actual” vs. “nominal” measurement, as demonstrated in the variance between a “full cut” 2x4’s or “dressed lumber” which after the cut of the saw the boards may range from 1 ¼ x 3 ½ to 1 ½ x 3 ½ …and so on. So, if you require a “full” 2 x 4, it’s important to specify, so your supplier will provide you the most accurate and economical quote possible.

When describing a pallet, the length of the stringer/runner is noted first, followed by the width of the deckboards. For forklift entry on opposing sides (2-way), or each side of the pallet (4-way), notches are created. The bottom deckboards can be chamfered to allow entry for the wheels of a pallet jack. When a pallet has no bottom deckboards, it is most commonly referred to as a Flat Pallet, or a Skid Pallet. Many also prefer a pallet to be “Flushed,” as seen above or “Winged” where the deckboards have a slight overhang.

Customization for each Customer

There are so many ways to design a pallet. Each of our customers has their own specific needs when it comes to how robust their pallets must be, depending on the cargo it will carry and at times, stack. Equally important are that our pallets are robust enough to provide safe handling for your team: some of the factors we explore to meet your cargo, as well as your OSHA safety criteria include: stringer/runner thickness; deckboard spacing and thickness; species/grade required; how much weight is required per pallet, per stack; will your pallet be used for one-time (limited) or multiple usage; etc.

If your pallets are to be exported in its lifecycle and thus, require heat-treatment, we are certified to provide this service. If you are new to this process, we’re glad to help you understand what it means to be compliant with ISPM-15 for wood packaging materials.

By understanding your specific needs, we can deliver you a more precise quote with various options for your consideration. Through our Pallet Design CAD Software program, we can provide you an intelligent “biography” on each pallet, based on the information you provide to us. We interact with you understand your pallet needs and strive the lowest price point, while committing to deliver the best quality possible.