Wooden pallets and suppliers vary widely, and choosing your pallet manufacturer can have a serious impact on your business. Your manufacturer affects many important elements of your business, including the protection of your product(s) during transit, the reputation of your company, and even your bottom line.
Adequate protection is one of the most important concerns. Can this supplier safely transport your products with minimal damage or defect? Cost is also a huge factor. You want to make sure their price points align with what you are looking to spend. If you are hiring the right pallet manufacturer, they can actually help your business cut costs, whereas choosing the wrong pallet supplier can end up hurting your bottom line.
Lastly, you are partners with your supplier, and their actions affect YOUR reputation. Making sure you are in business with the right pallet and crate manufacturer is extremely important. Knowing all these factors, making this decision can seem daunting. Asking a set of questions before you make any decisions can help to simplify the process.
4 Questions to Ask Your Pallet and Crate Supplier
1. “Do I need custom pallets or crates?”
Every product has different needs. Size, shape, fragility, and the sensitivity of the product all play a part in this decision-making process. Depending on your item(s), using a custom pallet might be your best option. Choosing custom shipping options for certain products will provide optimal protection and support, and actually save your business money. If you have a uniquely shaped item, one that is fragile or sensitive, or you are trying to transport a heavy-duty item, customization would be a great option for your shipping and storage.
Not sure whether customization is right for you? It might be time to speak to a packaging expert to help you make a well-informed decision. Anderson Pallet and Crate provides custom shipping and packing solutions, but not all pallet suppliers do. So if this is an important factor for business, this needs to addressed with any potential suppliers.
2. “What is your customer service track record?”
There is nothing more frustrating than being unable to connect with custom service when a timely issue needs to be addressed. When you are in business with someone and questions arise, you want the supplier to be knowledgeable and easily accessible in order for the partnership to run smoothly.
Although the super-sized manufacturers can be enticing for many reasons, they often lack the quality customer service that smaller businesses can provide. At Anderson Pallet and Crate, our customer service representatives are easy to reach and knowledgeable in their field.
3. “What are your company values?”
The first step in this process is making sure you have a clear understanding of your own core values. What is important to your business? Safety? Efficiency? Quality? After you have identified your own values, the process of finding the right pallet supplier becomes much easier. You will be working closely as a team, and finding a pallet supplier who has similar school of thought will prevent future disagreements.
4. “Do you have additional shipping options?”
If you are looking for special requirements for your wood pallets, not all suppliers will provide the customized options you are looking for. For example, at Anderson Pallet and Crate, we offer heat-treated pallets and heat-shrink wrapping services to ensure the safety of your freight.
Before speaking to a pallet manufacturer, be sure to compile a list of features you want available. This will help to make the process run smoothly. And if you have more questions, just let us know. We’re here to offer guidance, with 30+ years in business and lots of information to help you make an informed decision.