How do I calculate Palletization ?
Palletization is an important step in the product logistics process. It's the act of assembling goods onto a Pallet for easier transportation. Palletization is a sensitive stage in the logistics process! Poorly carried out, it can lead to breakage of products or the Pallet supporting them. It's also a key stage in the logistics chain, since well-executed Palletization saves space and therefore reduces transport costs and environmental impact. Whether you're shipping by truck, by air, in a container or on a trailer, good Palletization means safe loading for both the handlers and the goods.
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Define products to be palletized
The first step is obviously to choose the product or products to be palletized. This choice will define all subsequent steps! Depending on the product, the maximum size and weight supported by the Pallet will be different. This initial analysis is therefore decisive in ensuring that the Palletization process runs smoothly.
How do I choose a Pallet ?
Once the products have been selected, it's time to choose the Pallet. The standard Pallet Europe size is 80 x 120 cm, but there are also pallets with a smaller or larger surface area. Pay careful attention to the maximum weight the Pallet can support, to ensure safe palletizing.
To reduce the transport footprint, especially by truck or container, there are now different pallet materials available, some of which can be valorized in your company's CSR. This is a matter of growing interest, as it's a good way of improving your footprint on the transport line, which isn't always easy.
Pallets must also be adapted to the mode of transport: truck, train, cargo or plane... In other words, their width and length must correspond to the different types of transport chosen for the goods.
Calculate total product weight
Depending on the weight of the chosen product and the maximum weight supported by the Pallet, you'll be able to find out how many items you can put on a Pallet. The calculation is as follows: divide the maximum weight supported by the Pallet by the weight of one item, this will give you the maximum number of products per Pallet. You must also take into account the maximum weight supported by the truck during transport. For example, if the Pallet can support a volume of 200 kilos and a product weighs 20 kilos, you'll be able to fit 10 packages on the Pallet !
Set up a good product layout
For everyone's safety, it's important to implement a pallet loading plan. The important thing is to follow a method that will enable the boxes to be palletized in a stable and secure manner. Weight must be evenly distributed to avoid falls. Ideally, straps should be used during loading to secure the packages.
By distributing them efficiently over the pallet surface, it is possible to optimize the volume used to make the most of the cubic meters available.
Compliance with height regulations
Once again, make sure that your Palletization method complies with the type of transport used. Check that the height, width and length of your pallets comply with the maximum restrictions of these transport methods. By paying attention to this from the outset, handling will go smoothly and safely. This is particularly the case for storage in containers, for which the maximum height and length are very strict. In most cases, the dimensions must be respected, and if possible, allow for a small margin of error to facilitate handling.
To complete the Palletization process, some plans include wrapping the elements in one or more layers of plastic to protect the packages. This adds an extra layer of security to the products when they are shipped.
