Always weighing less than 50 lbs., the iGPS pallet meets all GMA and ISO 8611 specifications, and saves 25 lbs in needless weight vs. the wood pallet. For trucks that cube out, that translates into 500-2000 lbs weight savings per truckload. For trucks that weigh out, it's more product per truckload. In either event, using the iGPS pallet means tremendous savings in fuel and transport costs. Pallet storage is simpler and more efficient because iGPS pallets can be stacked 19-high vs. 18-high for wood pallets.

Weighing 75 lbs. or more (50% more than the iGPS pallet), the wood pallet fails to meet GMA specifications calling for pallet weight of less than 50 lbs. In addition, its inherent porosity makes meeting the GMA's hygiene requirement extremely difficult. If a wood pallet becomes wet it absorbs moisture, making the weight differential even greater.

Weighing ~75 lbs. (50% more than the iGPS pallet), the wood/composite pallet fails to meet GMA specifications calling for pallet weight of less than 50 lbs. In addition, the inherent porosity of its wood components makes meeting the GMA's hygiene requirement extremely difficult. If wood components become wet they absorb moisture, making the weight differential even greater.

The iGPS pallet always provides 100% top deck coverage, which ensures maximum protection for its contents. It also features a raised lip along the perimeter of its top deck, providing additional security for shipped goods.

The wood pallet provides up to 87% top deck coverage, providing all its top deck slats are in place. Individual wood slats provide less structural rigidity than a solid top deck, and contents are subject to greater risk of damage due to exposure in the spaces between slats.

The wood/composite pallet provides up to 87% top deck coverage, providing all its top deck slats are in place. Individual wood slats provide less structural rigidity than a solid top deck, and contents are subject to greater risk of damage due to exposure in the spaces between slats.

iGPS rents the most advanced and thoroughly tested pallet available today. In rigorous testing by the Fraunhof Institute in Germany, the iGPS pallet exceeded ISO 8611 standards for pallet strength and durability. Pallets consistently measure 48" x 40", hold 2,800 pounds (edge rackable) and meet or exceed all Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA) requirements. Product damage and workplace injuries resulting from wood shards, splinters and protruding nails are completely eliminated.

Held together by nails, wood pallets lose their rigidity and strength with each use under load. (Pallets subject to prior use should be carefully inspected to determine their structural integrity and safety.) In addition, wood is highly porous and readily absorbs moisture which can lead to warping, deterioration of structural components and additional weight. Wood pallets are regularly taken out of service to have broken boards repaired and protruding nails replaced.

Held together by nails, wood/composite pallets lose their rigidity and strength with each use under load. (Pallets subject to prior use should be carefully inspected to determine their structural integrity and safety.) In addition, wood is highly porous and readily absorbs moisture which can lead to warping, deterioration of structural components and additional weight. Wood pallets are regularly taken out of service to have broken boards repaired and protruding nails replaced.

iGPS pallets have been certified by Underwriters Laboratories as meeting its UL 2335 standard, establishing a proven fire safety factor equal, or superior, to wood. UL testing documented that the iGPS pallet is significantly less flammable than pallets made of wood. The UL 2335 certification establishes compliance with NFPA-13 issued by the National Fire Prevention Association, and pallet construction with approved materials. As a result, iGPS pallets can be utilized in any warehouse with zero increase in fire risk.

Wood is naturally incendiary, with a very low flashpoint, especially Southern Yellow Pine. Renters should inquire as to whether a given wood pallet is compliant with NFPA 13 standards.

Because wood/composite pallets contain materials other than solid wood, the NFPA considers them to be "plastic pallets" that must be UL 2335 certified to be NFPA 13-compliant. Renters should inquire as to the pallet's testing and certification, which can impact insurance coverage.

Today's Automated Retrieval Systems are designed to operate with tight tolerances. Because iGPS pallets are always uniform in size, shape and weight, they operate perfectly in these environments. In fact, ARS systems that utilize only iGPS pallets can be built in a less costly manner, as there is no need to over-design to accommodate the out-of-spec characteristics typically found with wood pallets.

Wood pallets often have protruding nails or wood shards that extend beyond the pallets' specified dimensions. These out-of-spec conditions are incompatible with the tight tolerances of Automated Retrieval Systems, often leading to plant slow-downs or shut-downs.

Wood/composite pallets often have protruding nails or wood shards that extend beyond the pallets' specified dimensions. These out-of-spec conditions are incompatible with the tight tolerances of Automated Retrieval Systems, often leading to plant slow-downs or shut-downs.

Each iGPS pallet has 4 identical RFID tags internally embedded during the manufacturing process. All tags are “3-way readable”-- via RFD, bar code or alphanumerically. Optimum tag placement ensures durability and readability. iGPS is the world’s first asset pooling company to use the EPC GRAI tag ID standard on 100% of its assets. Each pallet has a unique serial number that is tracked through the supply chain. RFID tracking has proven to reduce administrative expenses, facilitating accurate auditing of pallet use, dwell time and billing. No additional fee is charged for use of RFID tags.

RFID is not generally available, in part due to the difficulty of properly securing RFID tags to wood. The absence of RFID capability requires that resources be devoted to reconciling pallet rental charges and "lost pallet" fees. If RFID tags are available, renters should inquire as to whether additional charges are imposed for their use.

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) guidelines state that to avoid increased risk of lower back pain a healthy worker should not lift more than 51 pounds for a substantial period of time. The iGPS pallet weighs less than 50 lbs. and is therefore in compliance with this guideline. The pallet also has 4 ergonomically-designed handholds for easy lifting and movement.

Because wood pallets weigh 75 lbs. or more, an individual worker should not lift them for an extended period of time, per the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Wood pallets also pose the risk of worker injury due to splinters and protruding nails.

Because wood/composite pallets weigh 75 lbs. or more, an individual worker should not lift them for an extended period of time, per the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Wood/composite pallets also pose the risk of worker injury from splinters and protruding nails.

Insects cannot penetrate plastic, so iGPS pallets do not require the costly fumigation and heat-treatment required for pallets made of wood. Unlike wood pallets, iGPS plastic pallets can easily be sanitized.

Wood is inherently porous and can easily absorb bacteria and other fluids. This creates a sanitation risk, especially for food products where Listeria, E.Coli and Salmonella are a concern. In addition, because they are susceptible to insect infestation, wood pallets that move cross-border must undergo costly heat treatment or fumigation with Methyl-Bromide. University studies have revealed that heat-treated pallets are especially susceptible to the growth of mold. Methyl-Bromide, the alternative remedy, is an ozone-depleting chemical. The US Government also requires that wood pallets be quarantined for 8 hours after crossing into the US, adding delay to the supply chain.

Wood is inherently porous and can easily absorb bacteria and other fluids. This creates a sanitation risk, especially for food products where Listeria, E.Coli and Salmonella are a concern. In addition, because they are susceptible to insect infestation, wood/composite pallets that move cross-border must undergo costly heat treatment or fumigation with Methyl-Bromide. University studies have revealed that heat-treated pallets are especially susceptible to the growth of mold. Methyl-Bromide, the alternative remedy, is an ozone-depleting chemical. The US Government also requires that wood/composite pallets be quarantined for 8 hours after crossing into the US, adding delay to the supply chain.

iGPS pallets do not contain nails or fragile slats and do not splinter, making them easy on material handling equipment. They move smoothly on conveyer belts and leave no "debris" on warehouse floors or in mechanized equipment.

Wood pallets often have protruding nails or wood shards that can damage conveyer belts, fork lift tires or conveyer rollers, causing costly downtime. Removing wood pallet "debris" from warehouse floors is a significant expense in many facilities.

Wood/composite pallets often have protruding nails or wood shards that can damage conveyer belts, fork lift tires or conveyer rollers, causing costly damage and downtime. Removing wood/composite pallet "debris" from warehouse floors is a significant expense in many facilities.

iGPS pallets are impervious to the elements, and operate at spec in temperatures of -20 to +160ºF. They do not require special storage when not in use.

Because wood pallets absorb moisture, they should not be stored outside. Exposure to moisture can cause wood pallets to degrade, resulting in warped boards, popped nails and the risk of additional charges for pallet damage.

Because wood/composite pallets absorb moisture, they should not be stored outside. Exposure to moisture can cause wood components to degrade, resulting in warped boards, popped nails and the risk of additonal charges for pallet damage.

iGPS pallets are RFID-tracked entering and leaving loading docks. All members of the supply chain benefit from this visibility, and dubious "lost pallet" charges (LEN's) are eliminated.

Conventional wood pallets do not carry RFID tags, and disputes over "lost pallets" can be time-consuming and frustrating. Moreover, lost pallet fees (LEN's) are generally set at the replacement cost of pallets rather than their depreciated value at the time of "loss."

Conventional wood/composite pallets do not carry RFID tags, and disputes over "lost pallets" can be time-consuming and frustrating. Moreover, lost pallet fees (LEN's) are generally set at the replacement cost of pallets rather than their depreciated value at the time of "loss."

iGPS's plastic pallets are 100 percent recyclable, and won't end up in a landfill. If a pallet is damaged, its resin is reground and remolded into new pallets, making its useful life indefinite. Our pallets help preserve fossil fuels as well. Replacing all wooden pallets with plastic would remove billions of pounds of non-value freight from America's shipping and supply-chain infrastructure, resulting in tremendous fuel savings.

Wood pallets are constructed of yellow pine and hardwoods. Over 40% of America's hardwoods are cut down for pallets--a leading cause of deforestation. In addition, over 4 million tons of pallet material are deposited in landfills each year, a serious problem in waste disposal and a major source of methane gas, an ozone-depleting greenhouse gas. Wood pallets are generally painted, a purely cosmetic procedure that utilizes millions of gallons of paint and releases volatile organic compounds (VOC's) into the atmosphere and workplace. Lastly, because of insect infestation risk, wood pallets crossing international borders are fumigated with Methyl-Bromide, an ozone-depleting chemical.

Wood/composite pallets are constructed of yellow pine and hardwoods. Over 40% of America's hardwoods are cut down for pallets--a leading cause of deforestation. In addition, over 4 million tons of pallet material are deposited in landfills, a problem in waste disposal, and a major source of methane gas, an ozone-depleting greenhouse gas. Wood/composite pallets are generally painted, a purely cosmetic procedure using millions of gallons of paint and releasing volatile organic compounds (VOC's) into the atmosphere and workplace. Lasty, because of insect infestation risk, wood/composite pallets crossing international borders are fumigated with Methyl-Bromide, an ozone-depleting chemical.