Yes, that's why we have developed the concept, I believe that there is a better way but you won't have seen it yet or at least our proposal. It will not be in the public domain for some time as further development and IP certification is required before release, thus my request for design assistance.
Materials handling has become extremely sophisticated with robotics, automation and the development of AGV's and even many clever derivatives of the pallet, but we still see the use of single trip wooden and to some degree plastic pallets on a massive scale which is both inefficient and wasteful by comparison to our proposal.
Pallets are the excepted norm and serve the world of logistics well, and systems have evolved around them for a good reason, the understandable approach for many good reasons has been "design a better horse rather than the motorcar"
I believe that we are at a tipping point which is asking the question; "If we have no requirement for the actual pallet and can purely ship product in a unit load without a pallet then why not."
What opportunities would that provide in terms of flexability of unit load sizing, weight saving, storage density, the speed of load and unload, elimination of timber waste and return logistics within the existing single use and pallet rental model, all this whilst significantly improving the efficiency of existing forklifts?
Progress and changes in technology are happening at an accelerating pace, however, the benefits of these changes have to be significant across all the KPI's to justify the proposed shift, a big challenge! We believe that the proposition is close to demonstrating a solution to the challenge.
As part of our R&D, we do need to reach out to the industry and ensure that we have a concept that is fit for purpose and will outperform the incumbent by a significant margin.
A constructive dialogue with industry experts will I trust ensure the quality of the final outcome.
Pallets & Skids are cheap & effective.
If there was a better method, it surely would have been developed & implemented by now.
Hi stackhacker
Far from threatening the industry, the concept proposed is a development that still requires forklifts and most of the existing materials handling equipment available today.
It introduces both commercial and environmental benefits that enable the existing industry to be more sustainable and thus prosper.
If your concern is for the pallet manufacturing industry then yes there is a challenge posed. However, the system will provide commercial opportunities for the pallet rental market should they wish to adopt it.
My understanding of this forum is that there will be contributors who are keen to advance forklift technologies and develop new opportunities for the industry and thus my reason for posting my request on this site.
if your not using pallets your not using forklifts so threatening our very existence.maybe your asking for help in the wrong place