What is a Pallet Repair and Return Program?
A Repair and Return (R&R) program is a system where pallets are collected, repaired, and then returned to the same customer who owns them. It’s often used by local companies that have branded pallets or by companies that simply want to maintain ownership and quality control over their pallet inventory.
What does the Pallet Repair and Return process look like?
- Pallets (typically 48×40” GMA) are picked up from the customer.
- Pallets are taken back to the repair facility to return them to reusable condition or replenish pallets that are beyond repair with usable pallets from the pallet company’s inventory.
- Pallets are returned to the customer’s warehouse where they originated from.
What is a Comprehensive Pallet Life-Cycle Service (CPLS)™ program?
Research shows that pallets have an extremely high recycle rate – 95% to be exact. However, just because a pallet is recycled does not mean it finds its way back to its original owner. In fact, internal Kamps research shows that traditionally a much lower amount of pallets are returned back to their original owner.
Comprehensive Pallet Life-Cycle Service (CPLS) is an industry-altering program created by Kamps that provides a solution for getting your pallets (and the value associated with your pallets) back into your supply chain. CPLS programs cover all stages of a pallet’s life-cycle on a national scale – regardless of what type of pallet you have.
CPLS covers everything from designing and manufacturing the best pallet for your specific needs to following sustainable recycling practices after the pallet reaches end-of-life. It has 100% transparency, so you know where your pallets are going, how many are being retrieved, what work is being done, and what is happening to your pallets after they have reached their end of life.
What does the CPLS™ process look like?
- Experts analyze the pallet needs your business has, such as the weight of your product, storage space, and many other supply chain factors.
- Pallet is either identified or custom designed based on your specific unit load and supply chain requirements.
- Our experts collaborate with multiple points in a customer’s supply chain to collect pallets anywhere in the country.
- Depending on the quality of the picked up pallets, they are either repaired or remanufactured, or a completely new pallet is built. Priority is given to maximizing reuse and providing the lowest cost option.
- Pallets are transported back to your facilities, so you can load them up and send them out again.
What is the main difference between these two programs?
There are many differences between your standard pallet repair and return programs and a program such as CPLS. The biggest is what stages of a pallet’s life each program covers. Your typical repair and return program picks up your pallets, repairs them, and brings them back to your local facility. CPLS starts with the pallets’ creation, following it to any number of the customer’s facilities, to our repair centers, and back to you until the pallet is no longer salvageable. At this point, we make sure what can’t be repurposed is turned into sustainable products (such as: mulch, heating pellets, and animal bedding).
Another difference is the type of pallets that are accepted by these programs. Typically, repair and return programs are optimized around your standard 48×40” GMA pallet. For those who might utilize pallets that aren’t the industry standard, CPLS covers all different pallet sizes, allowing you to have all of your pallets repaired and saving you money.
The last key difference is the range that these programs cover. The Comprehensive Pallet Life-Cycle (CPLS) program is nationwide and, therefore, able to cover 100% of your domestic supply chain. No matter how many locations you have in any number of states, your pallets can be picked up, repaired, and delivered where you need them most. Repair and return programs are usually locally or regionally run, which means that for larger companies with multiple locations across the U.S., you will have to consult with several local pallet companies in order to retrieve and get your pallets back into your supply chain.
It is also important to note that not only does a CPLS program cover 100% of your domestic supply chain, it also gives you unmatched visibility and data into your domestic supply chain. Reports are available that include retrieval and sales quantities by location, environmental metrics, and cost saving analysis. All available live in real time via customer facing portal.
Which program is right for you?
Picking the right program is important for your business and its needs.
If you are a local company looking to save money and primarily utilizing 48×40 GMA Pallets, Repair and Return Programs can be beneficial.
If you are a national brand with multiple supply chain points across the United States, CPLS programs are made to deliver the maximum value to your supply chain.
