The threat of shortages due to rising wood prices, soaring demand and new regulations is starting to put pressure on the trade. How can manufacturing companies adapt in the current context of booming freight transport? How does a seemingly remote phenomenon like BREXIT affect the pallet sector? What is ISPM 15? We tell you all about it here :
Is the pallet becoming a luxury product ?
The soaring prices of the freight pallet are the result of rising labour costs, steel nail prices and a shortage of cheap wood, which is already affecting the construction sector, along with a shortage of plastics and electronic components. As a result, wooden pallets have never been so expensive. Prices are rising everywhere, whether the pallets are new or used, whether they are sold or rented.
In addition to these complications, BREXIT and ISPM 15 came into force on 14 December 2019 and will be valid for trade with the UK from January 2021.
Unexpected consequences of BREXIT
Since leaving the European Union, the UK has had to comply with new standards, such as ISPM 15 (Standard for Phytosanitary Measures15). To ensure that the wood from which pallets are made is free from bacteria, disease and insects, all pallets entering the EU must comply with this international standard, which requires them to be pre-steamed at 56°C for 30 minutes.
When the Brexit became effective on 1 January 2021, the standard came into force and the old pallets can no longer enter or leave the UK, causing pallet production to explode.
In addition, ISPM 15, which applies to sawyers, manufacturers and repairers of wooden packaging and all companies that process such packaging, requires thermal or chemical treatment, marking, sorting and therefore the creation of additional storage areas to allow the pallets to dry properly.
To go further💡 : Consult the ISPM 15 standard in French (pdf)
Un virage qu’a su anticiper la STPM
The Societé Toulousaine de Palettes de Manutention was created over 30 years ago and specialises in the manufacture of pallets and other wooden packaging, all produced in France.
The company was confronted with two problems concerning its activity : a longer drying time (36 to 48 hours depending on the season) imposed by the ISPM 15 standard and the increase in orders for treated and dried handling pallets.
They also need to be housed until they are shipped to the customer. In order not to penalise its reactivity and to be able to deliver to its customers at all times, it was necessary to create a space dedicated tthe pallets processed on site near the dryer.
To do this, STPM called on Locabri to install a 300m² modular canvas structure with a useful height of 6m, allowing forklift operators to stack pallets on two levels.
The challenge was to increase the storage capacity at a lower cost while adapting to the terrain and its technical constraints: to ensure ventilation of the stored wood while protecting it from the rain.
This solution has enabled STPM to double its dry pallet storage capacity and to be more reactive in delivering to its customers in the shortest possible time.
« We want to be prepared for any eventuality and meet customer demands. With the increase in demand for this treatment and the long drying time, we needed space to store the pallets in a dry place, ready to go at any time.
And with a modular building, we can produce in advance and have a better turnaround. We have a high ceiling, which is more practical for the teams and we can store twice as much, without taking up more space on the park. »
Allel Cherfi,
Production Manager at STMP
Find out more about pallet storage by downloading our STPM case study below 👇
See all our other projects here. What if you're having trouble choosing your demountable building ? We explain how to make the right choice.
Are you looking for a temporary solution like this and looking to increase your space to optimise your business? Think about modular buildings and contact the Locabri teams to find the best modular solution for your project.
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