[PL] What is palletisation?

Palletisation is the process of arranging, organising and preparing goods for transport and storage using pallets. It is a key element of logistics that enables efficient management of warehouse space, facilitates transport and speeds up the loading and unloading of goods. By standardising this process, it is possible to increase companies’ operational efficiency, reduce transport costs and minimise the risk of product damage.

What role does palletisation play in logistics?

Palletisation has a fundamental function in the supply chain. It enables the efficient movement of large numbers of goods and allows for the automation of warehouse processes. Modern logistics is based on solutions that eliminate the need for manual handling of individual load units. Thanks to palletisation, goods can be transported in larger batches, which speeds up operations and increases employee safety. We have already discussed the different types of pallets on our blog.

Standardisation of pallet sizes allows for better use of space in warehouses and transport vehicles. Warehouse management systems (WMS) are often based on pallet units, making it easier to track goods and optimise storage using pallet trucks. In international transport, standardised palletisation standards allow for the efficient exchange of goods between different countries and operators.

What is the automation and mechanisation of palletisation in industrial plants?

Modern logistics uses automated palletising systems that minimise the need for manual intervention and speed up the process of preparing goods for shipment. Palletising robots and load stacking machines allow products to be precisely positioned on pallets in a way that is optimised for transport stability and safety.

Automatic palletising systems can be divided into several categories, depending on the degree of technological advancement. Among the most commonly used solutions are palletising lines equipped with conveyor belts, gripper robots and vision systems enabling precise positioning of products on pallets.

The use of automation in palletising brings many benefits, including increased operational efficiency, reduced labour costs and minimised risk of damage to goods. Many large distribution centres and manufacturing plants benefit from fully automated systems that operate continuously, helping to streamline the entire logistics process.

What benefits does palletisation offer?

Palletisation brings a number of benefits to companies involved in the transport, storage and distribution of goods. First and foremost, it allows for significant time savings by eliminating the need to manually handle individual products. Speeding up loading and unloading contributes to the efficiency of the entire logistics process.

Reduced transport costs

Palletisation allows more efficient use of storage and loading space in transport vehicles. The appropriate arrangement of goods on pallets allows the number of products transported at one time to be maximised, which directly translates into a reduction in transport costs.

Reducing the risk of damage to goods

Palletisation also minimises the risk of damage to goods, as products are properly secured and stably positioned. This reduces losses due to mechanical damage caused during transport or storage. In addition, working with pallets is safer for employees as it eliminates the need to carry individual products with heavy weights.

Environmental benefits

Knowing what palletisation is, it is also worth realising that it contributes to the environmental efficiency of transport. By making optimum use of space in transport vehicles, the number of trips needed to transport a given quantity of goods is reduced, resulting in lower emissions and a reduced carbon footprint.

Modern palletising systems often also take into account the recycling and reuse of palletising accessories. Pallets made of wood, plastic or metal can be reused multiple times, reducing waste. Many industries also use return systems, where pallets are collected from customers and reused for subsequent deliveries.

You can find out more about this in the entry: Eco palletisation – how to support environmental protection in the warehouse.

What are the challenges for companies using palletisation?

Despite its many benefits, palletisation also poses some challenges. One is the need to adapt warehouse and transport systems to different pallet and pallet box standards, which can be problematic in an international supply chain.

Another challenge is the investment in infrastructure for automated palletisation. Although robotic systems significantly increase efficiency, their implementation requires a large investment, which can be a barrier for smaller companies.

In addition, the ergonomics aspect needs to be considered. Although palletisation reduces the physical effort of workers, it still requires adequate training and compliance with safety rules, especially when operating forklifts or automatic palletising systems.