The milling industry hasn’t had it easy this year. Excessive rainfall in the UK, severe frost in the EU and prolonged periods of drought in the US have had a dramatic effect on crop growth, driving up the cost of grain and flour along with it. According to the Foreign Agricultural Service’s report produced in September by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), wheat production in Europe dropped from 137.4 to 132.4 million metric tonnes/hectares during this year’s harvest. The National Farmers’ Union has also reported a sorry story for the UK, with wheat yields down 14.1 percent on a five-year average – the lowest seen since the 1980s.

1. Digital Re-print -
November | December 2012
The changing face of pallets
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2. FEATURE
The
changing
face of
pallets
by Jim Hardisty, Managing Director of Goplasticpallets.com, United Kingdom
T
he milling industry hasn’t had it their superior hygienic properties, their long Change has forecast that biomass could push
easy this year. Excessive rainfall in life and their reliability for exports. up the price of wood to £114 a tonne in the
the UK, severe frost in the EU We’ve noticed more than ever before near to medium term.
and prolonged periods of drought in that greater awareness of the importance The rising price of timber has already had
the US have had a dramatic effect on for maintaining hygiene and safety practices a knock-on effect on the cost of wooden pal-
crop growth, driving up the cost of grain throughout supply chains is driving pallet pur- lets with customers refusing to buy new ones
and flour along with it. According to chasing decisions. However, it’s not always and overtime could start to affect availability
the Foreign Agricultural Service’s report been that way. if biomass escalates at the rate predicted.
produced in September by the United Biomass is not the only threat to wooden
States Department of Agriculture (USDA), The humble pallet pallets. In recent years, the hidden dangers
wheat production in Europe dropped from The invention of the pallet is a relatively of using wooden pallets for transporting
137.4 to 132.4 million metric tonnes/ recent innovation made for the shipping food have been exposed by The National
hectares during this year’s harvest. The industry, the first pallet appearing in the Consumer League (NCL), following sci-
National Farmers’ Union has also reported United States in the early 20th century. entific tests in the United States. In May
a sorry story for the UK, with wheat yields The earliest referenced patent is Howard 2010, the NCL examined 140 wooden and
down 14.1 percent on a five-year average T. Hallowell’s 1924 ‘Lift Truck Platform’, a plastic pallets stored behind grocery stores.
– the lowest seen since the 1980s. simple skid that consisted only of stringers Approximately 33 percent of the wooden
fastened to a top deck. During World War pallets showed signs of unsanitary conditions
With the price of grain at an all-time II, the development of the pallet really took where bacteria could easily grow and 10
high, protecting product throughout the off with the increasing need to ship goods percent tested positive for E. coli, which can
logistics supply chain has never been more and arms. Palletised loads could handle cause food poisoning. Even more alarming
important. Whether transporting product more goods with fewer people, freeing up is that 2.9 percent tested positive for the
from food processor to retailer or shipping men for military service. The introduction of potentially deadly bug Listeria, which causes
goods abroad, pallets play an essential role in the wooden pallet spelled a new era for the 2,500 illnesses and 500 deaths annually in the
the milling supply chain. shipping industry and it wasn’t long before a United States.
In terms of milling wheat, the industry standard pallet size was adopted. Last year, the safety of wooden pallets
relies on plastic pallets for transporting its Wooden pallets became the main stay came under scrutiny in the pharmaceutical
bagged flour from the mill to independent for the shipping industry, but in recent years industry where they were found to be the
local bakeries and in-store supermarket bak- they have fallen on harder times. cause of product contamination incidents
eries. Each pallet will typically carry a fraction in the EU and the US, costing one drug
over a tonne of product – either 65 x 16 kg Hard times for wooden pallets manufacturer more than $900 million in one
flour bags or 40 x 25 kg flour bags, and once Historically wooden pallets have always year alone.
palletised, they will be loaded onto a lorry been cheaper than plastic, but rising timber
to its 24-26 tonne limit to ensure optimum costs could change that. The government’s Putting hygiene first
supply chain efficiency. introduction of subsidies that reward power Although the milling industry would have
In Europe alone, there are approximately firms for burning biomass, including wood, once used wooden pallets for transporting
half a billion pallets in circulation every year, has driven up the price of timber. As a result, bagged product, many have now switched
a large percentage of these are wooden the price of British-grown timber has risen to plastic pallets, primarily because of their
pallets, however, the popularity of plastic in five years from £30 to £50 per tonne superior hygienic properties.
pallets has soared in recent years due to and the Department of Energy and Climate Speaking to one of the UK’s largest food
18 | november - december 2012 Grain &feed millinG technoloGy

3. Events FEATURE
‘One show, once a year…endless opportunities’ about and see the latest in new How has the IPPE
January 28 - February 1, 2013, Atlanta, USA technology. The three combined changed and developed?
expos offer an unprecedented IPPE continues to expand year after
T
here is nothing quite Novak, vice president, membership opportunity to access a dynamic year and in 2013, with the addition
like IPPE. The integra- and public relations, American Feed purchasing audience, key decision of AMI’s International Meat Expo, it is
tion of three interna- Industry Association, USA to talk makers and international customers expected to be the largest expo yet. In
tionally recognised trade shows about her involvement with the event. from all segments of the industry. addition, as attendees provide feedback
brings suppliers and buyers on various educational programme
together for education, technol- What is your role at IPPE? With so many industry needs, IPPE has added additional pro-
ogy exchange and network- I am one of three points of con- shows, why should graming to meet those needs.
ing encompassing the entire tact for the International Production people attend IPPE? The Pet Food Conference was
spectrum of farm to table. and Processing Expo, who also The show offers a unique added six years ago to address the
include Dr. Charlie Olentine, U.S. opportunity for attendees to net- needs of pet food and pet food
This year, the combination of Poultry & Egg Association and Anne work with others in the feed and ingredient manufacturers. Today the
the International Feed Expo (IFE), Halal, American Meat Institute. grain industry, to see the latest tech- Pet Food Conference is a premier
the International Poultry Expo (IPE), Olentine and his team focus on the nological developments first-hand, event addressing the regulatory issues
and the American Meat Institute’s International Poultry Expo part of and to meet with the designers and impacting today’s pet food industry.
International Meat Expo (IME) will IPPE; Halal and her team focus on technical staffs behind these new The American Meat Institute
attract over 25,000 attendees from the International Meat Expo and I, developments. and USPOULTRY are both focus-
over 100 countries and over 1,100 along with the staff at AFIA, focus ing on education programmes that
exhibitors. pallets are areas and for transporting finishedyou going to type will pallet,the needs of their specific
producers, in their opinion woodon the International Feed Expo. What are product is enic of meet they are also considered
While the IPE focuses on poul- environment. a no brainer. The plastic pallets we recom-at IPPE? industries, bringing us together tono
not food-safe in a preparation make sure you do by many to be the safest, as there are
tryBringing a wood palletthe IME bakery could the themes manufactured would encourage peoplenails, sharp edges or splintersuncover new of
and egg producers and into a What are mend are of I from the highest to visit exchange ideas and and no risk
meat processing, the IFE is designed IPPE? go quality food grade virgin Tech XChangemateri- the Newcomponent for our businesses. This
spell disaster as wood chip could easily the or recycled as well as loose solutions parts breaking free under
forunnoticed in product petthe health, legal and als and A Year… Products area.legislations. XChange lifting conditions and causingaudi-
manufacturers of feed, – food, ‘One Show, Once comply with EU safety The Tech manual consolidation allows our core injury
economic consequences could be immense. For flour bags, a plastic pallet with an openeducational ence and the suppliers that partner
feed ingredients and equipment. Endless Opportunities’ sums it up will provide 20-minute to operatives.
Theadditiongoes the mammoth the finished flow-through top deck will offer the best grip on new with them to visit fewer shows, and
In same to for transporting well. With three partners this year, presentations from exhibitors
400,000 square feet trade show, there are endless opportunities for products where mould,TheANew get more investment
product. Metal nails in wood pallets can easily but has no internal cavities and services. worthwhile out of their time away
there will also be a loose and burst a attendees in all the feed and protein Product Showcase is an area where fromhygiene and offices. safety are
work themselves full education bag of flour dust and other contaminants can collect, so Although their plants or food
programme withspoil a whole pallet load. It only it can be easily cleaned by hand have posters highlighting
which could sessions in English, sectors. exhibitors will or with an key priorities for food processors and
Spanish and Portuguese. for the More inforMation:
takes a tiny tear to make a flour bag unsalable. offers one location for new product and technologiesmanufacturers, cost will always remain a
The IPPE automated system.
GFMT caught up with in food preparation
Using plastic pallets Sarah the feed industry to network, learn not only the most hygi- major factor in www.ippe13.org
Plastic pallets are feed, poultry and meat industries. Wbsite: any purchasing decision.
ATEX LEvEL swiTch
The capacitive proximity switches in the DOL 40R series are now
available with ATEX approval for use in areas with constant danger
of dust explosion.
• Designed for detection on grain, feed and granules
• Zone 20 approved - for use inside bins and hoppers
• With integrated amplifier and change-over relay
• Reliable and resistant
• Easy to mount
dol-sensors Tel. +45 72 17 55 55 www.dol-sensors.com
48 | november - december 2012
&
Grain feed millinG technoloGy &
Grain november - december 2012 | 19
feed millinG technoloGy

4. FEATURE
The initial investment in plas-
tic pallets is always going to be
higher than wooden pallets; however,
taking into account the extended work-
ing life of plastic pallets they are not only
future-proof but offer excellent long-term
savings. In a normal handling and loading
scenario plastic pallets have a life span they find their way back to
often exceeding ten years – up to 10 times their rightful owner and losing pal-
longer than a wooden pallet, and at the lets in the supply chain is a problem for the Convention which was introduced to
end of their long working life they can be milling industry as it is for industries across address the need to treat wood materials
recycled, so it will always pay in the long the board. The UK logistics sector could used to ship products between countries
run to invest in plastic both economically learn from Europe’s attitude towards user to stop the spread of wood pests. Current
and environmentally. owned and managed pallet pools. In main- requirements are limited to movements
Of course pallets are only reusable if land Northern Europe businesses – either into the EU or out of Portugal, a known
as individuals or groups – are purchasing pinewood nematode area.
plastic pallets and setting up their own pallet If these changes go ahead, there will
pools to directly benefit from the strength be major implications for the European
and long life of the product.
I believe that this model of
‘user owned and managed
plastic pallet pools' should be
deployed by businesses else-
where to help them maximise "Using plastic
their return on investment,
including in the milling industry, pallets is the only
and we are offering to meet
with businesses in the UK to way to avoid the
costly implications
offer our expert advice and
explain how this model could
work for them.
There are other methods
that can be used to limit pallet
of ISPM 15"
loss. Several food processing
companies we are working
About the author with in the UK are using
Jim Hardisty is the founder and plastic pallets printed with their company pallet and packaging industry, as it will
Managing Director of Goplasticpallets. logo to make them more easily identifiable. have to extend its heat treatment capacity
com, the UK’s leading independent Coloured pallets are another option. Many to include all wooden pallets produced
supplier of plastic pallets and containers. of our plastic pallets come in a variety of in the EU. Failure to use the correctly
After 18 years working in the logistics colours for orders over 500 units, and treated and certified wooden pallets will
sector and six years in the pallet indus- those ordering from our Hygienic pallet cause delays and extra costs at the port
try, Jim set up Goplasticpallets.com in range can choose from one of 84 two of entry.
2001 to facilitate the supply of plastic colour options. Using plastic pallets is the only way to
pallets to businesses in the UK. Eleven avoid the costly implications of ISPM 15
years on, Jim has signed exclusive part- Considering exports as they are completely exempt from heat
nerships with a number of pallet manu- For exporters, there are other issues to treatment regulations. And since exporters
facturers across Europe, allowing the be aware of when moving goods interna- have similarly been affected by this year’s
company to establish a comprehensive tionally. Earlier this year it was announced poor wheat harvests, with the USDA’s
and competitive product range. that the European Commission is consider- Foreign Agricultural Service report docu-
ing increasing the ISPM 15 to include all menting wheat supplies in most major
More inforMation: movements of wooden packaging mate- exporting countries to be down 15 million
Telephone: +44 1323 744057 rial within the EU. The ISPM 15 is an tonnes from last year, they will be looking
Email: jim@goplasticpallets.com International Phytosanitary Measure devel- more than ever at reliable methods for
Website: www.goplasticpallets.com oped by the International Plant Protection export.
20 | november - december 2012 Grain &feed millinG technoloGy

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The changing face of
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