How to start a pallet manufacturing business. Pallet production is a typical Russian business

During the production activities of enterprises and private entrepreneurship associated with the production of any products or goods, items are needed for transportation. Containers, boxes, boxes. Which also need to be placed on something for quick transportation and storage. Pallet production as a business is a profitable business. Pallets are always needed by everyone who produces products.

Wooden Euro Pallets

Why is such production attractive?

For aspiring entrepreneurs, pallet production is a good starting point. This business does not require large investments. At the same time, the income from this simple production is stable. If a businessman does not have large initial savings, he can, by starting the production of wooden pallets, accumulate a fair amount after some time. And then, if desired, he can move on to another, more reputable business. Pallets are flat transport containers made of metal, plastic or wood. Although plastic pallets have recently begun to come into fashion, wooden bases are still mainly used.

The production of metal containers is a separate topic. Most often, such packaging is made not in the form of pallets, but in the form of containers. The production of wooden pallets is in demand on the market. They are always needed. Without them, there is no loading and unloading work. Not a single store, not a single company, not a single enterprise can do without pallets. This is the specificity of modern production and everyday life. The cost of a pallet is not high - on average 200 - 250 rubles. When selling a pallet for 300 rubles, the average profit for making a wooden pallet is between 50 and 100 rubles. Of course, pallets come in different sizes. Most often, when transporting and storing products, pallets of 120x100x12 cm are used.

What you need for successful work

When organizing your business, you need to register your enterprise. For subsequent uninterrupted operation. So that you can enter into agreements with other enterprises on the supply of raw materials and the sale of finished products. It is necessary to purchase machines or production lines for the production of pallets. If you have used machines in good condition, you don’t have to give them up. Such machines, which have undergone all required technological repairs on time, are lubricated and well preserved, can serve for a long time. Such machines cost much less than new machines. An entrepreneur with a small initial capital should not give up good used machines. With such machines, production will be established and will make a profit.

It is best to purchase automatic production lines. They are configured to GOST standards. Therefore, pallets manufactured on production lines according to GOST standards will be readily purchased by shops and enterprises. When starting such production, you must immediately decide on the volume of products produced. For the planned volume of production of finished products, draw up a business plan for the production of pallets. Where to register expenses and planned income. Agree with suppliers of raw materials for work. It is better to conclude an agreement with any woodworking enterprise, without intermediaries. To ensure that raw materials for pallets arrive on time. Moreover, it will cost less than when delivering raw materials through an intermediary.

To prevent ready-made pallets from overflowing in warehouses, negotiate with buyers of finished products. Find a place to store products that may be delayed for some time before shipment to the consumer. Calculate the optimal number of employees at your enterprise.

Profitability of pallet manufacturing How a business is made up of many components. All factors must be taken into account here. That is why you need to keep records, you need to draw up a business plan. With proper planning, a thrifty owner will succeed.

Pallet assembly

Pallet manufacturing process

This production is simple. If you have somewhere to dry finished products, purchasing raw wood as a raw material for work will be cheaper. And from this wood do the following operations:

saw into boards and bosses;
trim manufactured boards;
process the bosses at the ends;
collect products.

Place the finished pallets (made of raw wood) in warm, heated dry rooms for a while. So that they can dry in a short time and acquire a marketable appearance.

The pallet business also involves the purchase of dry wood. Here you need to be prepared for the fact that such preparation is more expensive, and the purchase will cost more than raw wood. But making pallets from dry wood does not require a special room for drying the pallets. Finished products do not have to be stored in specially designated insulated warehouses. They can be shipped to the consumer immediately as they are manufactured.

On the Internet you can find videos of pallet production. Separately, boards are cut on special sawing machines. It’s good if these are multi-sawing machines. There, in one pass, several boards are made from a block of wood using two or three cutting discs at the same time. Equipment for the production of wooden pallets is standard; it is used in many woodworking enterprises. It is better to have several machines of the same type, in case of an unexpected breakdown.

It is necessary to purchase a special machine for the production of pallets, which could be used for only one operation - cutting the bosses. And it is also advisable to have a spare such machine. If there is only one machine, if there is a long breakdown, the entire production will stop due to a lack of lugs. To prevent this from happening, it is better to have a spare machine. It is necessary to purchase machines for cutting already sawn boards. If all the machines are positioned correctly one after another along the technological chain, you can create your own production production line. It’s even better to purchase a ready-made, albeit used, functional line.

Pallet assembly

Pallets are most often assembled using nails. Although there are companies that connect pallets with screws. It is a rarity. Pallets are a rapidly obsolete product. Weights are placed on them. Loads on pallets are picked up by forklifts. They transport goods using hydraulic hand trucks. Sometimes pallets break. Therefore, there is no technological reason to connect them with screws. After all, screws are more expensive than nails. Yes, and you need a screwdriver for screws. If the assembly is done manually, then in order to hammer in the nails, you only need an ordinary heavy hammer or a pneumatic hammer. That's why they make pallets nailed together.

Even when assembling by hand, it is better to have special tables for assembly. It is convenient to equip such a table with dimensional strips and corner templates. On such a special table, even with manual pallet assembly, you can assemble up to two hundred pallets per shift. The products are not sanded, the boards are left untreated, since they are just containers for transportation and storage.

Pallet production standards

According to Russian GOST, wooden pallets are somewhat different from European ones, especially in terms of lower fastenings. Russian hydraulic hand trucks for transporting pallets are adapted to the Russian GOST standard. When picking up a Euro pallet, difficulties often arise when rolling the cart under the base of the pallet. Sometimes, to push the cart down, you have to break the bottom cross member of the Euro pallet. For this reason, the production of Euro pallets by a private entrepreneur in Russia is economically feasible only where there are already concluded agreements with enterprises on the supply of their products with Euro pallets for export.

Then the production of Euro pallets in our country is justified and even profitable. In other cases, where Russian standards are applied, enterprises will be reluctant to accept such pallets, or even refuse them altogether. Since such products will break during our loading and unloading. Which is fraught with possible emergency situations. And the company will need to purchase more pallets. Which is unprofitable. An enterprise focused on Russian consumers will find another entrepreneur producing pallets of the Russian standard.

To make it clearer how important it is to be correctly oriented by the type of pallet standards, we can give an example of Chinese pallets. When fitting our hydraulic trolley under such a product, the front part of all Chinese pallets breaks. Our pallet trucks are not suitable for Chinese pressed wood products. The wheels with guides on our cart are higher. That's why they partially break Chinese pallets. Almost the same can be said about Euro pallets. Many standards for Euro pallets do not fit ours. There are similar ones, but they are few. Most often, Euro pallets break a little during our loading and unloading. So the production of such pallets for Russian consumption is undesirable. For export - you can make as many of them as you like.

Semi-automatic and automatic lines

If you want to update your business specifically for the production of pallets, you can purchase a semi-automatic line. This equipment for the production of pallets alone costs 10 million rubles. This line is serviced by two operators and a driver with a forklift. For such a line you need a special room of sufficient size for full operation. Semi-automatic line parameters:

length – 6 meters;
from left to right – 2 meters;
the height of the required room is 3 meters.

The cost of the line may be less than 10 million. The lowest price is 5 million. The productivity of the semi-automatic line is up to 90 pallets per hour.

There is also automatic equipment for the production of pallets. If you have good starting capital - more than 10 million - you can purchase an automatic line. They are mainly found in Europe. Although some businessmen here also install automatic lines for the production of pallets. And this is justified. Since the automatic line has a productivity of up to 650 pallets per minute. The fact is that the automatic line includes several flows at once. And such a line is serviced by five to six operators and two to three loaders. If you choose whether to install a semi-automatic line or an automatic one, then it is better to choose the second. The principle works: the faster the productivity, the faster the equipment will pay for itself. Subsequently, there will be more profits than expenses.

Conclusion

In addition to wooden pallets, plastic pallets made of plastic have recently become fashionable. These pallets are convenient for transportation over long distances, are well stored, and do not rot. Thanks to these pallets, new standards for international transport are being found that are acceptable to everyone. To master their production, you need to have special equipment. Moreover, production can also be established by processing plastic blanks supplied directly from a plastic products factory under a contract. You can bake the necessary blanks for pallets yourself in special molds using press casting. Why are plastic raw materials in the form of powder or granules poured into the hoppers of pressing machines? Acrylic products are very cost-effective. The cost is low. The demand for such pallets is growing.

For a novice businessman with a small initial capital, a small enterprise producing hand-assembled wooden pallets is best suited. With proper organization of work, the enterprise will provide a stable income.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, pallet production is a good starting point. This business does not require large investments.

Business in rural areas is practically unlimited in directions. In the village you can do anything you want, for example, production of wooden pallets.

Pallets– special transport containers for storing, transporting, and packaging various cargoes. The packaged products are secured to the pallet with straight film and other fastening materials. Palletized goods are designed to be unloaded and loaded by forklifts.

Pallets are used in many areas. Such containers are always in demand at manufacturing enterprises, warehouses, shops, supermarkets, and farms. The use of pallets in the construction materials trade is especially common.

Starting your own pallet manufacturing business is an excellent and profitable business. Why? Everything is simple here:

Recently, many enterprises in Russia have been expanding production, re-equipping, and creating modern production lines. High-quality products need the same packaging and the most common are wooden pallets.
Making pallets is a simple process that does not require expensive modern equipment. And if for the production of any product it is necessary to use components from various raw materials, then only one is used for pallets - wood (in our case).
The demand for packaging products, the leader of which are pallets, is consistently high, constant and does not depend on seasonality.
To produce pallets, you need forest, and living in rural areas, finding raw materials will not be much of a problem.
The pallet manufacturing process does not require the participation of highly skilled workers, which means low wage costs for workers.
Another positive point is that recently, most enterprises ordering packaging products, in particular, wooden pallets, from abroad, give preference to products from domestic manufacturers and preferably in close proximity. It is more reliable, faster and cheaper.

Making pallets as a business: production technology

Pallets can be standard sizes, or they can be non-standard. But the design principle is the same in all cases. The structure is as follows:

Bottom boards;
Wooden cubes (checkers) that connect the lower and upper parts;
Transverse boards on which the flooring is attached - it is on this that the load is placed;

The design of pallets is designed in such a way that a forklift can approach the load, grab it, lift it and transport it.

Pallets are manufactured according to the GOST-9557-87 standard, which corresponds to the European UIC-435-2 in almost all technical aspects.

If you have chosen a business in the production of pallets, then the main thing you need to strive for when making pallets is quality. A product assembled not according to standards loses its correct geometry, which can lead to problems when transporting packaged cargo. Just imagine - due to a poorly assembled pallet, the entire production line at the enterprise can stop, and it remains to be seen how long it will take to recover.

Many enterprises have already encountered such problems, so they pay special attention to the acquisition of packaging products. So the pallets must be well assembled, reliable and meet the standards.

GOST specifies all technical aspects: parameters for cutting checkers, boards, fasteners, dimensions, etc. In fact, the technology is not complicated, but GOST must be studied.

Manufacturing methods

Production from waste from the timber processing industry. That is, various illiquid timber, trimmings, leftovers, etc. are used. This is the most affordable option and is often introduced as an associated production at sawmills. Assembly is usually done by hand and most often the finished product is of poor quality.
The second method involves the presence and use of a pneumatic hammer and a special form (read about it below).
The third method is a semi-automated line. It is often used by small firms and private individuals.
The fourth method is a fully automated process. Pallets on such lines are produced in accordance with all standards and in large quantities.

The choice of method depends on your financial capabilities. You can make pallets even in the garage. If you are starting from scratch, you will need a minimum set of equipment. But the quality of the products will suffer, so if you find sales routes, then be sure to improve your production line in the future.

What materials are needed for the production of pallets?

Wood of almost any type can be used as raw material. Material
can be purchased at the nearest sawmill or lumber sales point. For residents of rural areas, it is much easier to resolve the issue of raw materials - they can contact the forestry department and designate a plot, the wood from which will be used for sawing. Raw materials should be stored in dry, ventilated areas.

By the way, both raw and dried wood are used, since in accordance with the standards, products are dried in finished form, at the last stage of production.

Premises for organizing a pallet production business

If you plan to start producing pallets in large quantities, then the premises must be appropriate. The best option would be some kind of warehouse or hangar, in which not only the production line will be organized, but also storage areas for raw materials and finished products.

There are a number of requirements for the premises. In particular, it must be dry, have a ventilation system, and protected from dampness, wind, and direct sunlight. The building should be freely accessible by trucks.

If a rack will be used to transport finished products, the floor should be flat and preferably concrete.

Business equipment on pallets

As mentioned above, equipping a pallet production workshop depends on financial investments. You can purchase a fully automated line that produces about 650 pallets per shift. The price of such equipment starts from 10 million rubles, if we are talking about used units - then from 5 million rubles.

To start the production of wooden pallets from scratch with a small investment, you will need the following equipment:

A small sawmill (if it is necessary to prepare raw materials from logs);
Edge trimming machine. Needed for sawing slab boards. The best option is an installation with laser markings.
Cross-cutting machine. Necessary for preparing bosses (bars).

Advice! If you purchase used equipment, then choose units that were produced in the 90s. Such machines are several times cheaper, reliable and produce pallets that comply with GOST.

At home, you can do this by assembling a machine for making pallets with your own hands.

It would be more accurate to call such a machine an assembly table or a mold. To make it, you will need drawings, materials - channels, angles, profiled pipes (sample in the photo below).

Having gained experience on such a machine, you can produce a good number of pallets. But it would still be better to make 3-4 such assembly tables, equip them with pneumatic guns and involve trained workers (kneaders) in the production.

Video on the topic: how to manually put together a pallet on a special machine

Sample business plan (cost and profit calculations)

It is difficult to say how much you will have to invest to start a pallet business, because it all depends on what equipment you will use.

According to experts, this type of production has quite high profitability and quick payback. A large volume of manufactured products and well-established distribution routes can speed up the return on investment. For example, a small mini-workshop can pay for itself in 1-1.5 years.

To equip such a workshop and purchase raw materials, an investment of about 500 thousand rubles will be required. Income depends on the volume and cost of the finished product, which will be different in one case or another.

However, the approximate cost of a wooden pallet can be calculated. Let’s say 1 cube of board costs about 3.5 thousand rubles. Timber for bosses - 4.5 thousand rubles per 1 cubic meter. Thus, a finished pallet will cost 200-220 rubles.

Sales of products

The implementation of pallets is one of the main issues that you should study before starting to manufacture them. Primary potential consumers are warehouses and transportation companies. There are these in every region. In addition, you should pay attention to:

Agricultural enterprises and farms;
Shopping centers, shops, supermarkets, household markets (especially those related to building materials);
Construction companies.

Advice! In addition to ready-made pallets, offer your customers pallet repair or even on-site assembly - this service is in great demand.

According to reviews from many manufacturers of packaging products, in particular pallets, it is best to create a customer base at the business planning stage. Of course, many potential clients are likely already working with other suppliers, but you can offer better terms and better quality.

Useful video: the process of assembling pallets

We hope you found this article on how to start a pallet business helpful. Leave your feedback and questions in the comments. We wish you great results in all your endeavors!

Many entrepreneurs who are engaged in the production of their own products, regular cargo transportation or storage of goods in warehouses are faced with the need to use wooden pallets for cargo so that they do not deteriorate due to dampness, mechanical stress, etc. The production of wooden pallets involves the production of special containers that ensure the safety of the cargo. Such products are very effective and reliable, due to which they are actively used by farms and agricultural enterprises, markets and shopping centers, manufacturers and cargo carriers.

Production of wooden pallets

Today, many companies produce wooden pallets, but not all of them are ready to provide good products at an affordable price. Thanks to the use of innovative solutions and a responsible approach to work, our company "Spetspromstroy" is one of the leaders in the field of manufacturing wooden containers for storing and transporting goods. During our existence, we have gained trust from customers and respect among competitors, and all thanks to the following advantages:

exclusively the highest quality, functionality, strength and durability of the products offered;
wide production line (including production of euro pallets), thanks to which every entrepreneur or individual will be able to choose the most suitable products;
production of pallets of standard and non-standard shapes and sizes;
reasonable prices that are accessible to all market representatives;
favorable offers for regular customers and wholesale buyers.

Our company produces wooden pallets on a huge scale, since these products are in great demand on the market, while their cost is relatively low. For production, we use automated and semi-automated technologies, thanks to which the products fully comply with the requirements of state standards and sanitary and epidemiological norms.

Production of wooden pallets

Our company “Spetspromstroy” also produces wooden pallets. For this purpose, coniferous and deciduous wood is used (the choice depends on customer requirements and the characteristics of the product’s operation). We cut and process wooden pallets using modern woodworking equipment. This process is complex, and at each stage the quality of manufactured products is monitored. For reliable fastening, we use special nails (brushed or screw), which ensures maximum strength of the structures.

Our company often produces pallets of standard sizes (1200×800 mm, 1200×1000 mm, 1200×1200 mm), but we also produce wooden pallets based on customer drawings. Thanks to this, our craftsmen and engineers will quickly and efficiently develop compact or very large products. Therefore, you will be able to transport and store non-standard cargo. Immediately after production, we send finished structures to customers, but if necessary, you can leave the products for temporary storage in our warehouses, where optimal temperature and humidity are constantly maintained.

Manufacturing of wooden pallets

Would you like to order production of wooden pallets or pallet? Call our managers or leave a request on our website - we will kindly help you place an order and choose the most suitable products to solve specific problems, and also answer all your questions.