How Weight Affects Shipping Costs
Industries that deal with freight shipping know the importance of closely monitoring shipping costs. Weight reduction may sometimes play a small role in the cost of shipping, but it can quickly add up over many pallets of products. While there are multiple ways shipping prices are calculated, a shipper will often determine the cost based on the weight of each load. Understanding the weight differences of various pallets and selecting the most suitable type for your goods will reduce shipment weight and, in turn, transportation costs. Some heavier loads require a more sturdy pallet, which will directly impact the shipping price and possibly the freight class. When a business pays more for freight, it’s losing profit on its goods. Paying close attention to the pallet weight can reduce rates, creating significant long-term savings. Continue reading to learn more about the differences between wood pallets and plastic pallets, and how shipping costs and profitability are affected.
When to Use Heavy Pallets
Franke’s Wood Products provides standardized sizes for wood pallets and skids, but can manufacture custom pallets to exact specifications to fit your goods perfectly. Shipping large equipment, heavy materials, or large-sized products is likely to require a heavier pallet. Hardwood pallets can support larger loads during shipping and in storage. If you’re shipping a heavy load on a lightweight pallet, there is a higher chance of an accident. Using the correct pallet means you won’t have to deal with damaged products and lost profits.
Pallet Weight: Wood vs. Plastic
A wood pallet will weigh between 30 and 70 pounds, the standard size weighing around 50. The weight will depend on the materials used, the size of the pallet, and the way it’s constructed. Wood pallets are often used for carrying heavier loads and can support up to 3,000 pounds. Plastic pallets weigh significantly less, around 15 pounds, reducing the overall weight of the load. The main tradeoff with plastic pallets is their weight load capacity. Plastic pallets can hold around 1,500 pounds, half of what a wooden pallet can hold.
Because freight and shipping rates aren’t all standardized, it’s important to know how your shipping and carrier calculate the shipping charges and determine if heavy pallets or lightweight pallets make more sense for your company. A company shipping many lightweight products may have a completely different strategy of packaging their pallets compared to a company that ships compact heavy loads of goods. Contact Franke’s Wood Products to learn more about our pallet offers, custom pallets, and what options will best work for your business.
Shipping Rates: Standard and Weight Based Pricing
Standard pricing for freight is calculated with factors like volume, weight, as well as other standard factors like travel distance, shipping speed, fuel, and more. Dimensional weight pricing has become more popular in recent years, and charges are based on the weight of the load. Companies shipping a high volume of pallets that are low-density pallets will experience higher shipping costs as opposed to someone who ships a lower volume with higher density. If you’re shipping high-density shipments with a lower volume, it may financially benefit you to seek out a shipping company that uses dimensional weight pricing. In the case of high-density shipments, stronger wood pallets are most logical. Wood pallets will carry a heavier load, allowing you to optimize your shipping efficiency. If you’re interested in speaking with a Franke’s Wood Products team member about placing an order of pallets, contact us today, and we can discuss the best options on how to optimize your shipments.
Freight Class and Shipping Zones
Freight classes help all parties classify the price range for each shipment. Each shipment is placed in 1 of 18 different classes determined by several factors. Freight class is determined by stowability, ease of handling, liability, and density.
Oftentimes, carriers will allocate shipments to different zones. A shipping zone is determined by the distance and the weight of the shipment. Shipping costs will go up the heavier your package is. Sometimes, in order to stay within the range of a specific shipping zone, companies will use lighter-weight pallets. Using a lightweight pallet will keep the rates low with the carrier, reducing the cost of delivery.
When it comes to shipping logistics, pallet selection can make a significant difference in your bottom line. To learn more about how Franke’s high-quality wood pallets can make your shipping experience better, contact us today.
Shipping Logistics and Charges
Reducing the cost of shipping isn’t just as simple as using lightweight pallets. In order to streamline your average shipping cost and shipping logistics, you must optimize the weight. Speciality pallets provide you the opportunity to optimize efficiency by reducing unnecessary weight and ensuring your goods fit perfectly. Not only will better pallet packing reduce the wasted space with each load, but it will reduce the overall amount of pallets you need to freight.
Creating a strategy that works for you can reduce what you spend on freight pricing. Our custom pallets are designed and fabricated in-house and are made specifically for each customer’s needs. We provide custom heavy-duty shipping pallets, delivered on time, so your shipments are never delayed. If you have any questions about Frankie’s pallets or having custom pallets fabricated to your optimized specifications, feel free to contact our offices today or reach out to us via our website contact form.
Franke’s Wood Pallets
For nearly 6 decades, Franke’s has worked with businesses of all sizes to provide heat-treated wood pallets and wood products. While sometimes custom specialty pallets are a greater initial investment, high-quality materials and fabrication will prove their value over many shipments offsetting the cost entirely. If you choose the route of ordering custom pallets, each one is made to work perfectly with your products. Franke’s offers solid wood belt core and conveyor belt packaging, pallets, skids, boxes, crating, and more. We are an ISPM-15 certified manufacturer, which means we provide shipping pallets and other products that comply with ISPM-15.
We focus on not only creating high-quality pallets but also building strong relationships with our customers. We set a new standard of pallet quality within the industry, and as a family business, we understand the importance of being consistent and on time. Our strong, rugged wood pallets are built to last and provide long-term support. Reach out today to learn more about how Franke’s Wood Products can provide pallets for your domestic and international freight needs.
Order Custom Pallets from Franke’s
Pallet shipping logistics, when streamlined properly, can save your company time and money. Franke’s offers a variety of high-quality pallets and other freight shipping solutions. Custom pallets not only lower the cost of shipping but also last longer, save space, reduce the chance of loads being damaged, and increase overall load stability. We provide custom pallets for small and international businesses. Request a quote today, and we will reach out to you about how we can help you streamline your shipping process.