Benefits of Tech in Pallet Manufacturing

If there has ever been an industry that lends itself to automation, it is pallet manufacturing. For companies that adopt automation early on, the benefits of technology in pallet manufacturing are plentiful. In fact, they could make the difference between staying in business and barely hanging on. How? Let's take a look!

Increase Production Speed and Reduce Cost With Targeted Technology

Automated nailing machines, robotic stackers, and AI-controlled conveyor systems are just some of the options. Some of the associated pallet automation benefits are faster cycle times, fewer bottlenecks, and consistent production even during labor shortages. Consider that you are consistently under pressure to stay competitive while cutting costs and enabling customers to integrate their warehouse operations with artificial intelligence (AI).

Working smarter, not harder, offers even small- to mid-sized pallet manufacturers advantages that make them more competitive.

• Accelerate production without increasing labor. You do not have to grow your workforce to meet the increasing demands of new and your existing customers. In this way, technology in pallet manufacturing allows you to produce more pallets per shift without increasing employment expenses. Due to seasonal fluctuations in customer needs, cost savings on labor are crucial for maintaining competitiveness.
• Improve quality and reduce waste. AI-guided defect-detection systems identify raw-material defects before your finished products warp, crack, or suffer moisture-related issues. As a result, your customers have no complaints, and you do not have to redo orders. Besides that, you can focus on doing business with a lumber supplier that provides you with high-quality raw materials.
• Predictive downtimes. Unexpected machine failures can hobble your operations for hours, if not days. Real-time data collection is just one of the benefits of technology in pallet manufacturing. This level of tech can tell you when to schedule maintenance to prevent unplanned downtimes. Advanced technology will even schedule the maintenance appointment on your behalf.

Uniform Pallet Quality and Size Assist Customers Who Incorporate Their Own Automatic Palletizing Systems

Palletizing system advantages are made possible by semi- or fully automated packing and shipping technology. For your customers to boost their line speeds, increase their daily shipment capacity, and experience fewer slowdowns, your pallets must be manufactured to exact specifications. Remember that end-user automation includes conveyors, wrappers, and scales. If your pallets are not identical and vary in weight, size, and even nail placement, your customers may be unable to use them.

How Robotics in Pallet Plants Reduce Manufacturing Costs at Every Stage of Production

It is tempting to consider your business too small to reap the benefits of technology in pallet manufacturing. However, a closer look at how technology is quickly improving pallet manufacturing dispels this myth. No business is too small to take advantage of judiciously selected tech.

Optimize Your Lumber Use

One of the most significant expenses you currently deal with is lumber. Human error causes plenty of waste. Even experienced workers will make mistakes. In contrast, technology ensures that each piece of lumber provides you with the maximum value. Tech-driven saws, board sorters, and nailers reduce scrap, increase yield per board, and can track actual versus projected usage. You can plan accordingly, preventing you from buying too much or too little lumber.

Better Inventory Management

Overordering is a common issue that many smaller companies frequently encounter. As a result, they carry costs for hardware that is not needed and may no longer be usable after extended storage. Technology enables data systems that provide everything from your current lumber inventory to fastener counts. Do not pay extra for another rush order of consumables to finish an order of pallets.

Labor Cost Reductions Through Allocation

Technology guides your manufacturing to optimize pallet workflows. In the process, you identify stations that are well-suited for automation. Additionally, you can relocate workers to the stations where they are most needed. By forecasting labor requirements more accurately, you are less likely to overspend on employment-related costs, such as overtime.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) for Manufacturer Benefits

We have spent considerable time discussing ways to reduce labor costs in pallet production. We have also touched on predictive maintenance, manufacturing, and real-time visibility into pallet data. Let's take a closer look at how all these benefits integrate into data-driven ERP. In the simplest terms, ERP in pallet manufacturing addresses the problems posed by inconsistent customer expectations, order volume, labor costs, and material expenses.

ERP uses technology to unify all business functions into an integrated platform that provides visibility into finances, accounts receivable and payable, labor scheduling, and purchasing. Because this is real-time data, you always know your production capacity based on inventory levels, machine performance, and labor availability. A customer-facing ERP provides real-time status updates for work orders.

Five cost savings from pallet automation at the manufacturing level are readily recognizable.

1. Improve on-time delivery rates, which results in return customers.
2. Automatically reorder lumber and consumables, which reduces stock-outs and more expensive rush orders.
3. Forecast demand for accurate production scheduling based on historical data.
4. Maintain consistent product standards by identifying defect patterns and their root causes.
5. Automate purchase orders for your materials and maintenance schedules for planned downtimes.

Increase Pallet Production Efficiency and Your Company's Visibility

As more of your customers embrace technology and AI in their operations, they will begin looking for pallet makers to partner with in this endeavor. For small to mid-sized companies, this means adapting by integrating technology that provides customers with pallets they can use in their automation.

And, when you can offer your customers this level of professional partnership, make sure that they know about it. Our team consistently collaborates with manufacturers like yours to develop digital marketing packages that effectively showcase your business. Options include custom-designed websites, Google Business profile setup, LinkedIn page creation, SEO optimization, and social media and reputation management.

You know pallet making. We know pallet pallet company marketing. Put the two together and benefit. Schedule a call today!