Corrugated paper pallet innovator Lifdek has launched "tougher" four-rib, four-way skids.
President Joseph Danko said many of today’s pallets were exposed to harsh shipping requirements, with damage from handling machinery.
"Box-style corrugated pallets with an outer sidewall are easily penetrated by forklift operators that are more concerned with efficiency than gentle handling or precision driving," he said.
"Though the Lifdek pallets have plenty of stacking strength for the loads, the pallets suffered damage in certain applications, which had to be addressed.
"Lifdek has addressed these shortfalls by developing and launching its strongest corrugated skids – pallets without sidewalls or a bottom deck.”
After reviewing the cost savings case study for corrugated skids that Ikea released, Lifdek understood why IKEA had decided to use skids rather than box style paper pallets.
"They are easier to enter and exit with pallet jacks and forklifts, and they are tougher," he said.
"Ikea did its homework, but the transition to corrugated skids didn’t happen overnight.
"It had to work through many issues."
However, according to Danko, Ikea has made an estimated $1 billion in savings system-wide in four years since switching to paper skids.
Made of strong stuff
The new four-rib, four-way Lifdek skids have a tested compression strength exceeding 14,000 pounds, though Lifdek rates the skids conservatively at 3300 lbs, knowing they may suffer abuse in transit.
Unlike the other paper skids, Lifdek skids have an integrated folded support system rather than glued supports that tend to come off easily.
Lifdek accomplished this toughness by designing the skid in such a way to prevent any exposed single plies of corrugated board.
Lifdek skid assembly machines are currently being developed and are slated for release this year.
The machines will allow one person to assemble a skid in just 30 seconds, at half the cost of Lifdek’s current pallet assembly machinery.
