Pallets or Stillages? …Making the right decision

Acres Engineering design and manufacture Choosing between stillages and pallets for your business is an important decision that can impact cost, quality and safety.

When it comes to portable media for storage and transportation, pallets and stillages offer similar functionality but with notable differences. Although a stillage can be considered a heavy-duty version of a pallet, understanding their unique features is key for making the right choice for your business. Below are insights into the advantages and limitations of both options.

 

Stillages:

As a superior choice for storage and transport, stillages are pallet-like structures but include sidewalls, offering enhanced security and load capacity. These walls can be constructed from steel or mesh, with some models featuring easy-access fronts for convenience during storage. Customisation options like wheels and various finishes can significantly enhance their functionality in a warehouse.

Stillages cater to a broad range of industries with their design, such as the beverage industry, which benefits from drum stillages equipped with racks for secure keg storage. While larger in size compared to standard wooden pallets, folding stillages address space efficiency concerns effectively.

The internals of a stillage can be customised to hold parts / components in specific orientations or with varying methods of protection. Acres use a waterjet cutting machine to produce the foams or plastics to hold components inside the stillages.

 

Pallets:

Pallets are flat platforms tailored for convenient forklift handling, constructed from a variety of materials such as wood, plastic, and steel. Characterised by a slatted base without sides, they are designed for stackability and may feature posts or beams for securing contents.

While pallets are cost-effective and suitable for storing a diverse range of items in a semi-permanent warehouse setup, they lack in safety and security due to the absence of sides. This attribute, however, lends them flexibility for accommodating irregularly shaped goods, providing a versatile and adaptable storage option.

Despite their ubiquity in the transportation and storage sectors, pallets come with their own set of drawbacks. The lighter materials used may be sourced from non-sustainable forests and treated with chemicals, potentially harming the environment. Moreover, their design often necessitates single-use and non-recyclable plastic wrapping, adding to ecological concerns. Additionally, after use, pallets are frequently discarded in a way that can be resource-intensive.

Acres can supply pallets in many different types of materials including but not limited to: steel, plastic and wood.

 

Which solution is right for you? 

Steel stillages stand out as one of the most effective solutions for storage and transport, providing exceptional long-term value despite a higher initial cost. Their robust engineering allows for multiple uses, offering a lower total cost of ownership. In terms of versatility, stillages outperform traditional pallets, especially when it comes to transporting a variety of goods. They can be custom-tailored to specific needs, with features like mesh separators and casters for added security and mobility. Their durable steel construction ensures longevity, making them a more sustainable and cost-effective choice over time.

 

Making the decision:

Acres Engineering supply a diverse range of durable, reusable stillages that cater to all industrial and manufacturing needs, offering better value and a more sustainable alternative to wooden pallets (however we can supply these as well).

 

Sustainability:

Not only are Acres stillages manufactured from a recyclable material, but Acres also offer a modification / refurbishment service such as this example.

 

Why not read up on painted part protection which is also a vital subject with stillaging and kitting media.

 

Acres have a range of standard products but also support clients with custom machinery and medium-high volume products such as trolleys, stillages etc. 

We also manufacture access platforms, jigs and fixtures and many other types of production support solutions / products. 

Talk to us today about your requirements: [email protected] / 01332695240 / Contact Us Form

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Manufactured in the UK from our Headquarters in Derbyshire, England.

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