Pallet Storage And Delivery Statistics: Important Statistics To Keep In Mind

Go through some of the most important and interesting statistics related to pallets, storage, and delivery to have a better understanding of how pallet storage works and its benefits.

In the fast-paced world of ecommerce, streamlining your fulfillment process is crucial. That’s where pallet storage solutions in Northern Ireland come in – a cornerstone of any efficient warehousing operation. By utilizing pallets and pallet racking systems, facilities optimize their footprint, ensuring every inch is put to work for various needs, including ecommerce fulfillment.

But for businesses considering pallet storage services in Northern Ireland, navigating the market can feel overwhelming. Here at Meteor Space, we believe knowledge is power. That’s why we’ve compiled a comprehensive analysis of the current pallet storage market – a one-stop shop for statistics, trends, and expert insights on ecommerce fulfillment services.

This guide will equip you to make informed decisions regarding your pallet storage needs. We’ll delve into the most popular pallet types and the reasoning behind their widespread use. This knowledge will empower you to select the perfect fit for your specific storage requirements. Even if partnering with a pallet storage provider is your preferred route, understanding industry best practices is paramount. By staying informed, you’ll be able to confidently select a partner that aligns with your needs and offers top-tier ecommerce fulfillment services.

Before we dive into the data and trends, let’s establish a strong foundation. Let’s unpack the concept of pallet storage and explore the mechanics of pallet racking systems for warehouses.

What Is Pallet Storage?

The most economical option to store your goods in Northern Ireland, Ireland, the UK, and anyplace else in the world is through pallet storage. Pallets are the industry standard for transferring and storing goods, and they are frequently used for international shipping. Businesses searching for a low-cost solution for storing goods in the UK can consider pallet storage with leading warehouses, like Meteor Space. Pallets are an affordable and practical method of storing products.

You may simply store and transfer products throughout the UK and Europe once you get your pallet to Meteor Space, the top warehouse in Northern Ireland. For a variety of reasons, pallet storage is more affordable than regular storage, and we offer you the lowest storage cost per pallet.

Pallet storage has some advantages over other storage techniques that make it more effective:

 ● Pallets offer a platform for storage and are robust and solid.
● They are reusable and offer businesses wishing to keep their goods in an excellent and eco-friendly storage solution.
● The pallets take very minimal room and may be stacked on top of one another, which is practical for enterprises.

 It can be beneficial to work with Meteor Space, one of the best pallet storage options Northern Ireland has to offer, if you’re searching for a long-term solution and a cost-effective option to keep your items. For all of your pallet storage requirements, we offer complete solutions, and we also take care of shipping and delivery for you!

Now that we know what pallet storage is and how it works, let’s take a closer look at the pallet market and the latest statistics and trends in the industry.

Global Pallet Market Statistics and Trends (2023-2028)

Major Players in the Pallet Market

The global pallet market includes key players such as Brambles Ltd, Schoeller Allibert, Loscam, ORBIS Corporation, and CABKA Group. These companies have established strong positions in the market, offering a range of pallet solutions to meet various industry needs (IMARC) (Mordor Intelligence).

 

Market Growth Projections

 

The global pallet market was valued at approximately $93.76 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3% from 2023 to 2028, reaching around $127.99 billion by 2028 (Research and Markets). This growth is driven by the expanding e-commerce sector, increasing demand for efficient logistics management, and the rising adoption of sustainable and eco-friendly packaging solutions (IMARC).

Pallet Types and Applications

Pallets can be made from various materials, including wood, plastic, metal, and corrugated paper. Each type offers unique benefits and is suitable for different applications. Key industries utilizing pallets include food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, machinery, metal, and construction (Research and Markets).

Regional Insights

North America currently holds the largest share of the pallet market, bolstered by strong manufacturing and automotive sectors, and stringent regulations on phytosanitary measures for international trade. The Asia Pacific region is expected to witness significant growth, driven by rapid industrialization and increasing trade activities (IMARC) (Mordor Intelligence).

Sustainability and Technological Advancements

The pallet market is seeing a shift towards sustainable practices, with increased use of recyclable and biodegradable materials. Technological advancements, such as the integration of RFID tags and IoT for enhanced traceability and efficiency, are also contributing to market growth. Innovations in pallet design, including lightweight and multi-trip pallets, are helping reduce costs and improve operational efficiency (Future Insights) (Research and Markets).

Recent Developments

● In July 2023, Goplasticpallets.com introduced the Qpall 1212 HR 6R V2 heavy-duty plastic pallet in the UK, designed for handling large amounts of materials and ingredients (Mordor Intelligence).

● IFCO launched the Dora reusable plastic pallet in January 2024 across Europe, which is 25% lighter than conventional wood pallets, enhancing efficiency and safety in transportation (Mordor Intelligence).

These updates reflect the current trends and future projections for the global pallet market, highlighting significant growth driven by technological advancements, sustainability initiatives, and the expanding e-commerce sector.

Pallet Storage Statistics: Common Practices and Trends (2023)

Types of Racking Systems

The pallet storage industry employs various racking systems to optimize space and efficiency. Common types include:

  • Mobile Racking
  • Shuttle Racking
  • Conventional Racking
  • Hybrid/Customized Racking

Understanding these systems allows businesses to select the most suitable options for their storage needs (Future Insights) (Mordor Intelligence).

Frame Load Capacities

Pallets come with different frame load capacities essential for meeting various storage requirements:

  • Up to 5 tons
  • 5 to 10 tons
  • Above 15 tons

Choosing the correct load capacity ensures safe and efficient storage operations (IMARC) (Expert Market Research).

Various Racking Systems

Different racking systems are used in warehouses, each offering specific benefits:

  • Cantilever Racking
  • Selective Racking
  • Push Back Racking
  • Drive-in Racking
  • Pallet Flow Racking
  • Carton Flow Racking

These systems help maximize storage space and accessibility based on the facility’s needs (IMARC) (Expert Market Research).

Industry Usage

Pallets are widely used across several industries. According to surveys:

  • 51% in manufacturing
  • 18% in wholesale trade (durables)
  • 10% in retail
  • 7% in wholesale trade (non-durables)
  • 14% in other sectors

This widespread usage demonstrates the versatility and importance of pallets in various operations (Mordor Intelligence).

Company Revenue

Businesses of various sizes rely on pallets for storage:

  • 24% with annual revenues of less than $10 million
  • 22% in the $10 million to $49.9 million range
  • 17% in the $50 million to $99.9 million range

These statistics highlight the broad appeal of pallets across different revenue brackets (Mordor Intelligence).

Material Preferences

The preferences for pallet materials are as follows:

  • 94% use wood pallets, consistent over the years.
  • 37% use plastic pallets, unchanged from 2020.
  • 12% use wood composite pallets, stable over the last two years.
  • 6% use metal pallets.
  • 4% use cardboard or corrugated pallets.
  • 1% use other materials.

Wood pallets remain the dominant choice, with plastic and composite materials also widely used (IMARC) (Expert Market Research).

Pallet Sizes

Common pallet sizes and their usage include:

  • 80% use the standard 48 x 40-inch pallets, up from 68% in 2020.
  • 24% use 48 x 48-inch square pallets.
  • 12% use 42 x 42-inch pallets.
  • 10% use 36 x 48-inch pallets, down from previous years.
  • 8% use 36 x 36-inch pallets.
  • 13% use the 24 x 20-inch “half pallet” size, up by 2%.

The standard size remains the most popular, with variations based on specific storage needs (Mordor Intelligence) (Research and Markets).

New vs. Used Pallets

Trends in the use of new and used pallets include:

  • 60% of businesses purchased new wood pallets, up from 53% last year.
  • 73% reported using used or “core” pallets, up from 61% last year.

This indicates a significant shift towards both new and refurbished pallets (Research and Markets).

Pallet Pools and Availability Issues

Challenges in sourcing pallets include:

  • Use of pallet pools decreased to 18% this year from 24% in 2020.
  • 47% reported fewer available used wood pallets, up from 27% last year.
  • 33% found used wood pallets more expensive, up from 9% last year.
  • 24% reported no issues procuring used wood pallets, down from 40% last year.

These trends reflect growing challenges in sourcing and the rising cost of used wood pallets (IMARC) (Expert Market Research).

Increased Use of Used Wood Pallets

The use of used wood pallets has significantly increased:

  • 51% of respondents reported using more used wood pallets this year, nearly doubling from 27% last year.

This rise indicates a growing trend towards sustainability and cost-efficiency in pallet usage (IMARC) (Expert Market Research).

Decrease in Use of Used Wood Pallets

  • 11% of respondents said they are using fewer used wood pallets compared to last year, down from 31% in 2020.

This decrease suggests a shift in preferences or availability issues (Mordor Intelligence).

Increased Use of Plastic Pallets

  • 18% of pallet users reported an increase in their use of plastic pallets, up from 15% last year.

This shows a slight but notable rise in the adoption of plastic pallets, likely due to their durability and other benefits (Mordor Intelligence) (Research and Markets).

Stability in Plastic Pallet Usage

  • 66% of respondents said their plastic pallet usage has remained the same over the past year.

This indicates consistent use and possibly satisfaction with plastic pallets among a majority of users (Research and Markets).

Future Expectations for Plastic Pallet Usage

  • 22% expect their use of plastic pallets to increase over the next year.
  • 16% expect a decrease.
  • 57% believe their usage will stay the same.

These projections reflect mixed expectations regarding the future use of plastic pallets (Mordor Intelligence) (Expert Market Research).

Reasons for Increased Use of Plastic Pallets

Among companies anticipating increased use:

  • 23% cited durability.
  • 26% mentioned compliance.
  • 20% believed plastic is more sustainable than wood.
  • 17% noted customer demand.
  • 11% felt they have greater control over plastic pallets.

These reasons highlight the diverse benefits driving the adoption of plastic pallets (IMARC) (Expert Market Research).

Use of Pallet Rental Companies

  • 12% of respondents are using or plan to use pallet rental companies, up from 9% in 2020.

This increase suggests growing interest in rental solutions for pallet management (Research and Markets).

Pallet Retrieval or Recovery Systems

  • 14% use or plan to use other types of pallet retrieval or recovery systems, down from 16% in 2018.

This decrease indicates a possible decline in the popularity or awareness of these systems (IMARC) (Mordor Intelligence).

Pallet Rental and Recovery Service Usage

  • 74% said they do not plan to use pallet rental or recovery services, down 1% from 2020.

This majority indicates limited interest in these services despite a slight decline (Research and Markets).

Likelihood of Using Retrieval or Recovery Systems

  • 9% said it is highly likely they will use these systems over the next year, up 3% from last year.
  • 21% said it is not very likely, down from 30% last year.
  • 39% said it is not at all likely, up from 33% in 2020.
  • 15% were unfamiliar with these systems, down from 19% last year.

These statistics show varying levels of interest and awareness in retrieval or recovery systems (Expert Market Research) (Research and Markets).

Load Stabilization Methods

  • 64% use stretch film.
  • 46% use shrink film.
  • 34% use strapping/banding, down from 40% in 2020.
  • 13% use tie sheets.
  • 9% use Lock’n Pop Adhesive.
  • 7% use a stretch hood.
  • 12% use a shrink hood.

These methods are commonly used to stabilize pallet loads, with stretch and shrink film being the most popular (IMARC) (Expert Market Research).

Use of Interlocking System for Load Stabilization

  • 17% use an interlocking system, up from 4% in 2020.

This significant increase highlights the growing adoption of interlocking systems for load stabilization (Mordor Intelligence).

Manual vs. Automated Stretch Wrapping

  • 46% manage all wrapping manually, up from 41% last year.
  • 26% use some automated stretch wrappers.

This indicates a shift towards manual wrapping, possibly due to cost or operational preferences (Mordor Intelligence) (Research and Markets).

Use of Third-Party Services

  • 23% of companies have used or plan to use third-party services for better pallet and transport packaging solutions.

This demonstrates a reliance on external expertise for optimizing pallet operations (IMARC).

Vendor Managed Inventory/Just-in-Time Delivery

  • 24% said their providers offer vendor-managed pallet inventory or just-in-time delivery, up from 21% in 2020.

This increase reflects the growing adoption of efficient inventory management practices (Expert Market Research).

On-Site Recycling and Reclamation Management

  • 24% receive on-site recycling and reclamation management services, down from 32% in 2020.
  • 10% receive supply chain data and information, up by 1%.

These figures show varying levels of service offerings from pallet providers (Mordor Intelligence).

Interest in Supply Chain Data

  • 24% are now interested in supply chain data, up from 9% in 2020.

This sharp increase highlights the growing importance of data in managing pallet operations effectively (IMARC).

Load Stability Issues

  • 76% of companies reported no load stability issues, down 5% from 2020.

This suggests that while most companies have stabilized their loads effectively, a small percentage still face challenges (Research and Markets).

By staying informed about these trends and statistics, businesses can make more strategic decisions regarding their pallet storage practices and optimize their operations accordingly.

Pallet Delivery and Shipment Statistics and Trends (2023)

Use of Pallets for Shipping Corrugated Boxes

  • 72% of companies use pallets to ship or receive corrugated boxes.

Pallets are crucial in the logistics of corrugated boxes, reflecting their widespread use in this segment (Mordor Intelligence) (Research and Markets).

Use of Plastic Totes and Reusable Plastic Containers (RPCs)

  • 18% of companies use pallets for shipping or receiving reusable plastic containers or plastic totes, up from 6% in 2020.

This increase highlights the growing trend towards sustainable packaging solutions (IMARC) (Research and Markets).

Shipment of Pails

  • 17% of companies ship or receive pails using pallets, up from 9%.

This rise indicates an increased reliance on pallets for transporting such packaging types (Expert Market Research).

Shipment of Bags

  • 15% of packages shipped or received using pallets are bags, down from 21%.

This decrease suggests a shift in the types of items being palletized (Mordor Intelligence) (Research and Markets).

Shipment of Drums

  • 14% of companies use pallets for shipping or receiving drums, up from 10%.

The increase shows a growing use of pallets for handling drums (Expert Market Research).

Shipment of Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBCs)

  • 6% of packages shipped or received using pallets are FIBCs.

These containers remain a smaller but essential segment of palletized goods (Research and Markets).

Domestic vs. International Shipments

  • 45% of companies used pallets for domestic shipments in 2021, down from 66% in 2020.

This drop may be due to changes in market conditions and recovery from pandemic-related disruptions (IMARC) (Expert Market Research).

  • 2% of companies characterized their pallet shipments as international, consistent with 2020.
  • 53% of companies ship pallets both domestically and internationally, up from 33%.

The significant increase reflects a broader reach and expansion in global trade activities (Mordor Intelligence) (Research and Markets).

Regional Shipment Trends

  • Leading regions for pallet shipments include Canada, Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean.
  • Shipments to the Asia Pacific region rebounded to 55%, up from 33% last year.
  • 54% of companies ship to Western Europe, up from 48% in 2020.
  • 41% ship to Eastern Europe, up from 24% in 2020.
  • 34% ship to the Middle East and North Africa, up from 10% last year.

These trends indicate a strong recovery and growth in international pallet shipments (Expert Market Research) (Research and Markets).

Future Expectations for International Shipments

  • 57% of companies expect an increase in international pallet shipments over the next two years.
  • 39% expect their international shipments to hold steady, down from 2020.
  • 4% anticipate a decrease in international shipments.

These expectations show optimism for international trade growth (Mordor Intelligence) (Research and Markets).

Precautions for International Shipments

  • 49% of companies treat their pallets when shipping internationally.
  • 25% use wood pallets they own for international shipping.
  • 14% use plastic, corrugated, pressed wood, or metal pallets for international shipments, up from 5% last year.

Taking precautions ensures compliance and safety in international logistics (Expert Market Research) (Research and Markets).

Changes in Pallet Shipment Volumes

  • 11% of companies reported a decrease in international pallet shipments over the past two years.
  • 55% said their international shipment volumes remained the same.
  • 34% reported an increase in international shipments over the past two years.

These figures illustrate varied experiences among companies in handling international pallet shipments (Mordor Intelligence) (Expert Market Research).

Are You Looking For A Storage Partner That Utilizes Pallet Storage?

Pallet racking systems are one of the best ways to utilize storage space at a facility and make sure all products can be stored securely in one place. If you are looking for a storage partner that can keep all your inventory in one place and use it for efficient ecommerce fulfillment, you have come to the right place!

We will keep your pallets safe and secure once they reach us here at Meteor Space, the UK’s leading warehouse. Our 200,000 square foot warehouse has unlimited pallet storage space, the most up to date pallet racking systems for the warehouse, and the best techniques for making good use of the space. With our assistance, you can store your inventory in our state of the art warehouse and move it as needed.

Meteor Space partners with the top shipping companies and carriers in the world to assist you transport your pallets on time and offer you the best, most economical storage rates per pallet in the entire UK and Europe. Our expert staff regularly inspects the quality of your products and pallets to make sure they are all in the finest possible shape and condition.

When it comes to pallet storage, Meteor Space provides round-the-clock security and monitoring, which enables us to maintain complete transparency with all of our clients and ensures the security of your pallets. You can effortlessly integrate your business with our services by using our cutting-edge software solution!
So, what are you still waiting for? Send your pallet to one of the best pallet storage facilities in Northern Ireland to take advantage of our affordable storage rates per pallet!

Get started today!