Heat-treated pallets are more important than ever, so here are some considerations to keep in mind in how the pandemic is increasing their significance!

Most international shipments will require heat-treated pallets when it comes to the general usage of wood packaging materials, and this is mainly because heat treatment helps ensure product and shipping environment safety.
As we all know very well, trees do not grow within sterile, hygienic surroundings. One of the most important issues that the pallet industry has faced in recent years is pests, which is partly what has lead to the increased prevalence of heat treatment.
But these days there is also another pest permeating throughout the shipping of exported products and ubiquitous global trade: COVID-19. The pandemic has undoubtedly played a major role in how pallet suppliers all across the world are strategizing for the future, and heat-treated pallets are certainly taking center stage as a major way for industry leaders like The Pallet Guys to combat the virus.
So here in this article we’re going to help you better understand what exactly heat treatment entails and why utilizing a heat-treated pallet supplier is going to continue to be extremely important into the future!
What Exactly Is Heat Treatment?
Heat treatment as it pertains to wood pallets is a phyto-sanitary cleansing process that has been officially recognized by the WTO (World Trade Organization), and the overall goal of heat treatment is to eliminate the possibility of pests spreading throughout pallet supplies and subsequently the products they support.
The general process of heat treatment entails all crates, boxes or pallets being heated up to a 140-degree core temperature for at least 30 minutes. This procedure is known to be the very best way to eliminate any larva and insects, which subsequently then makes a pallet much safer for shipments both domestically and internationally.
Why Utilizing A Heat-Treated Pallet Supplier Is Crucial During The Pandemic And Beyond
COVID-19 has obviously posed an incredibly negative impact on domestic shipments and all global trade, so there technically has been a considerable decrease in the overall demand for heat-treated wooden pallets since the beginning of the pandemic. However, the WTO has projected an international shipping recovery going into 2021, and this subsequently means that heat-treated pallets will also go up in demand very soon!
The more optimistic predictions by the WTO are indicating one of the biggest upward swings in global trade metrics, and this swing is potentially going to be so large that the demand for heat-treated pallets is also poised for a tremendous rebound. It’s also important to note that COVID-19 has increasingly made heat treatment a prerequisite for ALL domestic shipping, so heat-treated pallets are crucial for so much more than just international shipping!
So it goes to show that your business needs to begin preparing now during the pandemic while demand is low in order to obtain the largest ROI on your pallet supply going into next year’s potential shipping/trade boom, and this also means that your pallet supplier needs to be able to meet these changes in demand!
Identifying A Valuable Pallet Supplier
Some of the positive signs you should be looking for with your pallet supplier including the following:
- Heat treatment kilns (on or off-site)
- Strong data/KPI management strategies
- State-of-the-art warehouses and manufacturing practices
- Proper pallet storage
- And unbeatable customer satisfaction
The Pallet Guys have become an industry leader partly because of the above signs, but also because of our integrity. It’s absolutely critical to be working with a pallet company that’ll never cut any corners or sacrifice their ethics when it comes to the overall quality and safety of their products/services, which is why our entire team understands that how we create our pallets is equally as important as our finished product.
There are many instances throughout the pallet industry of companies cutting corners when it comes to heat treatment. This can manifest itself in the pallet company having outdated certification/documentation, or their off-site heat treatment facility also having outdated certifications.
All of us at The Pallet Guys understand just how important it is for you to feel comfortable and safe with your pallet supplier throughout the pandemic and into the future, which is why we’ll always remain on the cutting edge of our industry when it comes to hygiene and product safety!
Stay Prepared Throughout The Pandemic And Into 2021 With The Help Of The Pallet Guys!
Many businesses are staying wary when it comes to their future plans and investments due to the current economic uncertainty, but you should also simultaneously remain prepared for a potential economic recovery. The last thing you’ll want to do as a business leader is not be prepared for an increase in demand due to lacking an adequate, high-quality pallet supply.
The Pallet Guys are the industry leaders with the resources and unbridled integrity to help bring your business to new heights going into 2021. We have access to heat-treatment kilns and are always putting our customer service as our top priority.
We understand and take pride in the responsibilities that we must fulfill during these unprecedented times, and we’re ready to take on these new challenges while keeping our clients ahead of potential economic shifts.
So always feel free to reach out to us online or call us at 832-895-7555 today to get in touch with our team and learn more about how we’re keeping hygiene and the long-term ROI of our clients on the forefront of our strategies!