Always weighing less than 50 lbs., the iGPS pallet meets all GMA and ISO 8611 specifications, and saves 25 lbs in needless weight vs. the wood pallet. For trucks that cube out, that translates into 500-2000 lbs weight savings per truckload. For trucks that weigh out, it's more product per truckload. In either event, using the iGPS pallet means tremendous savings in fuel and transport costs. Pallet storage is simpler and more efficient because iGPS pallets can be stacked 19-high vs. 18-high for wood pallets.

Weighing 75 lbs. or more (50% more than the iGPS pallet), the wood pallet fails to meet GMA specifications calling for pallet weight of less than 50 lbs. In addition, its inherent porosity makes meeting the GMA's hygiene requirement extremely difficult. If a wood pallet becomes wet it absorbs moisture, making the weight differential even greater.

Weighing ~75 lbs. (50% more than the iGPS pallet), the wood/composite pallet fails to meet GMA specifications calling for pallet weight of less than 50 lbs. In addition, the inherent porosity of its wood components makes meeting the GMA's hygiene requirement extremely difficult. If wood components become wet they absorb moisture, making the weight differential even greater.

The iGPS pallet always provides 100% top deck coverage, which ensures maximum protection for its contents. It also features a raised lip along the perimeter of its top deck, providing additional security for shipped goods.

The wood pallet provides up to 87% top deck coverage, providing all its top deck slats are in place. Individual wood slats provide less structural rigidity than a solid top deck, and contents are subject to greater risk of damage due to exposure in the spaces between slats.

The wood/composite pallet provides up to 87% top deck coverage, providing all its top deck slats are in place. Individual wood slats provide less structural rigidity than a solid top deck, and contents are subject to greater risk of damage due to exposure in the spaces between slats.

iGPS rents the most advanced and thoroughly tested pallet available today. In rigorous testing by the Fraunhof Institute in Germany, the iGPS pallet exceeded ISO 8611 standards for pallet strength and durability. Pallets consistently measure 48" x 40", hold 2,800 pounds (edge rackable) and meet or exceed all Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA) requirements. Product damage and workplace injuries resulting from wood shards, splinters and protruding nails are completely eliminated.

Held together by nails, wood pallets lose their rigidity and strength with each use under load. (Pallets subject to prior use should be carefully inspected to determine their structural integrity and safety.) In addition, wood is highly porous and readily absorbs moisture which can lead to warping, deterioration of structural components and additional weight. Wood pallets are regularly taken out of service to have broken boards repaired and protruding nails replaced.

Held together by nails, wood/composite pallets lose their rigidity and strength with each use under load. (Pallets subject to prior use should be carefully inspected to determine their structural integrity and safety.) In addition, wood is highly porous and readily absorbs moisture which can lead to warping, deterioration of structural components and additional weight. Wood pallets are regularly taken out of service to have broken boards repaired and protruding nails replaced.

iGPS offers the only commercially available plastic pallet that has been certified under UL 2335 (file no. R25482) and FM Approvals 4996. (Our pallets received UL 2335 listing (file no. R25482) on July 20th, 2007 and FM Approvals 4996 listing on September 8, 2008 for pallets manufactured thereafter.) These certifications establish compliance with NFPA-13 issued by the National Fire Prevention Association, as well as pallet construction with approved materials. As a result, iGPS pallets can be utilized in any warehouse with zero increase in fire risk.

Wood is naturally incendiary, with a very low flashpoint, especially Southern Yellow Pine. Renters should inquire as to whether a given wood pallet is compliant with NFPA 13 standards.

Because wood/composite pallets contain materials other than solid wood, the NFPA considers them to be "plastic pallets" that must be UL 2335 certified to be NFPA 13-compliant. Renters should inquire as to the pallet's testing and certification, which can impact insurance coverage.

Today's Automated Retrieval Systems are designed to operate with tight tolerances. Because iGPS pallets are always uniform in size, shape and weight, they operate perfectly in these environments. In fact, ARS systems that utilize only iGPS pallets can be built in a less costly manner, as there is no need to over-design to accommodate the out-of-spec characteristics typically found with wood pallets.

Wood pallets often have protruding nails or wood shards that extend beyond the pallets' specified dimensions. These out-of-spec conditions are incompatible with the tight tolerances of Automated Retrieval Systems, often leading to plant slow-downs or shut-downs.

Wood/composite pallets often have protruding nails or wood shards that extend beyond the pallets' specified dimensions. These out-of-spec conditions are incompatible with the tight tolerances of Automated Retrieval Systems, often leading to plant slow-downs or shut-downs.

Each iGPS pallet has 4 identical RFID tags internally embedded during the manufacturing process. All tags are “3-way readable”-- via RFD, bar code or alphanumerically. Optimum tag placement ensures durability and readability. iGPS is the world’s first asset pooling company to use the EPC GRAI tag ID standard on 100% of its assets. Each pallet has a unique serial number that is tracked through the supply chain. RFID tracking has proven to reduce administrative expenses, facilitating accurate auditing of pallet use, dwell time and billing. No additional fee is charged for use of RFID tags.

RFID is not generally available, in part due to the difficulty of properly securing RFID tags to wood. The absence of RFID capability requires that resources be devoted to reconciling pallet rental charges and "lost pallet" fees. If RFID tags are available, renters should inquire as to whether additional charges are imposed for their use.

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) guidelines state that to avoid increased risk of lower back pain a healthy worker should not lift more than 51 pounds for a substantial period of time. The iGPS pallet weighs less than 50 lbs. and is therefore in compliance with this guideline. The pallet also has 4 ergonomically-designed handholds for easy lifting and movement. Unlike wood/composite-block pallets, iGPS’ pallets do not utilize adhesives containing formaldehyde, a substance classified as a probable or known human carcinogen.

Because wood pallets weigh 75 lbs. or more, an individual worker should not lift them for an extended period of time, per the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Wood pallets also pose the risk of worker injury due to splinters and protruding nails.

Because wood/composite pallets weigh 75 lbs. or more, an individual worker should not lift them for an extended period of time, per the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Wood/composite pallets also pose the risk of worker injury from splinters and protruding nails. Wood/composite-block pallets typically utilize adhesives containing formaldehyde resins, a substance classified as a probable or known human carcinogen. Renters should inquire as to the presence of formaldehyde in composite blocks and, if formaldehyde is present, request test results certifying worker safety.

iGPS pallets are nonporous, so unsanitary liquids cannot penetrate our pallet's surface, as is the case with wood. In addition, iGPS pallets are impervious to insects and do not require the costly heat-treatment or toxic fumigation required for pallets made of wood. Unlike wood pallets, iGPS plastic pallets can easily be sanitized.

Wood is inherently porous and readily absorbs fluids and bacteria that can germinate life-threatening pathogens such as Listeria, E.Coli and Salmonella. These pathogens have been found in independent testing of wood pallets in Baltimore, Philadelphia and Portland, ME. Food and medicine have also been contaminated with 2,4,6-tribromoanisole (TBA), a chemical used to treat wood pallets, forcing product recalls. Because they are susceptible to insect infestation, wood pallets that move cross-border must undergo costly heat treatment or toxic chemical fumigation. The US Government requires that wood pallets be quarantined for 8 hours after crossing into the US, adding delay to the supply chain.

Wood is inherently porous and readily absorbs fluids and bacteria that can germinate life-threatening pathogens such as Listeria, E.Coli and Salmonella. These pathogens have been found in independent testing of wood pallets in Baltimore, Philadelphia and Portland, ME. Composite wood pallets present an added hygiene risk: potential food and worker contamination with formaldehyde, which is used in adhesives for composite wood. Formaldehyde is listed as a known human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and a portal-of-entry carcinogen by the US EPA. Food and medicine have also been contaminated with 2,4,6-tribromoanisole (TBA), a chemical used to treat wood pallets, forcing product recalls. Because they are susceptible to insect infestation, wood pallets that move cross-border must undergo costly heat treatment or toxic chemical fumigation. The US Government requires that wood pallets be quarantined for 8 hours after crossing into the US, adding delay to the supply chain.

iGPS pallets do not contain nails or fragile slats and do not splinter, making them easy on material handling equipment. They move smoothly on conveyer belts and leave no "debris" on warehouse floors or in mechanized equipment.

Wood pallets often have protruding nails or wood shards that can damage conveyer belts, fork lift tires or conveyer rollers, causing costly downtime. Removing wood pallet "debris" from warehouse floors is a significant expense in many facilities.

Wood/composite pallets often have protruding nails or wood shards that can damage conveyer belts, fork lift tires or conveyer rollers, causing costly damage and downtime. Removing wood/composite pallet "debris" from warehouse floors is a significant expense in many facilities.

iGPS pallets are impervious to the elements, and operate at spec in temperatures of -20 to +160ºF. They do not require special storage when not in use.

Because wood pallets absorb moisture, they should not be stored outside. Exposure to moisture can cause wood pallets to degrade, resulting in warped boards, popped nails and the risk of additional charges for pallet damage.

Because wood/composite pallets absorb moisture, they should not be stored outside. Exposure to moisture can cause wood components to degrade, resulting in warped boards, popped nails and the risk of additonal charges for pallet damage.

iGPS pallets are RFID-tracked entering and leaving loading docks. All members of the supply chain benefit from this visibility, and dubious "lost pallet" charges (LEN's) are eliminated.

Conventional wood pallets do not carry RFID tags, and disputes over "lost pallets" can be time-consuming and frustrating. Moreover, lost pallet fees (LEN's) are generally set at the replacement cost of pallets rather than their depreciated value at the time of "loss."

Conventional wood/composite pallets do not carry RFID tags, and disputes over "lost pallets" can be time-consuming and frustrating. Moreover, lost pallet fees (LEN's) are generally set at the replacement cost of pallets rather than their depreciated value at the time of "loss."

An independent life cycle analysis has documented that iGPS' plastic pallet is dramatically better for the environment than wood rental pallets on every dimension measured, including global warming, ozone layer depletion and ecotoxicity. iGPS' pallets are 100 percent recyclable and won't end up in a landfill. If a pallet is damaged, its resin is reground and remolded into new pallets, making its useful life indefinite. The lighter weight of iGPS pallets preserve fossil fuels in transport and reduce green house gases as well. Our Green House Gas Calculator can show you the savings your business would realize by switching from wood to iGPS.

Wood pallets are constructed of yellow pine and hardwoods. Over 40% of America's hardwoods are cut down for pallets--a leading cause of deforestation. In fact, according to industry data, in 2006 alone wood pallets consumed 7.2 billion board feet of timber in the US, which would equate to a forest 10 times the size of Manhattan. In addition, over 4 million tons of pallet material are deposited in landfills each year, a serious problem in waste disposal and a major source of methane, an ozone-depleting greenhouse gas. Lastly, wood rental pallets are generally painted, a purely cosmetic procedure that utilizes millions of gallons of paint and releases volatile organic compounds (VOC's) into the atmosphere and workplace.

Wood pallets are constructed of yellow pine and hardwoods. Over 40% of America's hardwoods are cut down for pallets--a leading cause of deforestation. In fact, according to industry data, in 2006 alone wood pallets consumed 7.2 billion board feet of timber in the US, which would equate to a forest 10 times the size of Manhattan. In addition, over 4 million tons of pallet material are deposited in landfills each year, a serious problem in waste disposal and a major source of methane, an ozone-depleting greenhouse gas. Lastly, wood rental pallets are generally painted, a purely cosmetic procedure that utilizes millions of gallons of paint and releases volatile organic compounds (VOC's) into the atmosphere and workplace.