Top 3 Mistakes Businesses Make When Sourcing Pallets
Pallets are the quiet workhorses of the supply chain. They keep goods stable in warehouses, safe on trucks, and efficient in transit. But when businesses cut corners in sourcing, pallets can quickly turn from an asset into a liability.
From costly product damage to compliance issues and delivery delays, the wrong pallet decisions ripple through operations. Here are the top three mistakes businesses make when sourcing pallets, along with tips on how to avoid them.
Mistake #1: Choosing Price Over Quality
At first glance, it’s tempting to pick the cheapest pallets available. After all, they all look the same, right? Unfortunately, this is one of the most expensive mistakes a business can make.
Low-quality pallets may save money up front, but they often lead to damaged goods, worker safety issues, and higher long-term costs. A broken board in transit can result in thousands of dollars in lost product, far outweighing the few dollars saved on the pallet itself.
Investing in durable, well-inspected pallets pays off. Reliable pallets reduce product damage, protect employees, and keep shipments moving without interruption.
Mistake #2: Ignoring Sustainability & Compliance
Another common misstep is overlooking sustainability and compliance requirements. Businesses that don’t prioritize recycling programs or certifications risk both financial and reputational consequences.
For example, international shipments must comply with ISPM-15 heat treatment regulations. Overlooking this detail can cause customs delays, fines, or even rejected shipments. Similarly, ignoring recycling programs sends usable materials to landfills, driving up disposal costs and harming a company’s sustainability record.
By sourcing recycled pallets and working with suppliers who prioritize sustainability, companies not only reduce waste but also align with ESG and corporate responsibility goals. Certifications like Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) make pallet choices transparent and accountable.
Mistake #3: Working with the Wrong Supplier
Even with the right pallet type, choosing the wrong supplier creates its own problems. Inconsistent suppliers may run short when demand spikes, deliver late, or provide inconsistent quality. Those issues ripple down the supply chain, causing warehouse slowdowns, freight inefficiencies, and missed deadlines.
A reliable supplier isn’t just about delivering pallets; it’s about providing peace of mind. Businesses need partners with the scale to meet demand and the experience to anticipate challenges. The right supplier acts as an extension of your operations, not just a vendor.
The Hallwood Advantage
At Hallwood, we help businesses avoid these common mistakes by focusing on what matters most: quality, sustainability, and reliability.
Quality Assurance: Every pallet we supply is carefully inspected, repaired, and graded to ensure it performs consistently. That means fewer damaged goods and safer handling for your team.
Sustainability First: From recycled pallet programs to Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and tree-planting initiatives, sustainability is built into everything we do. We keep unnecessary waste out of landfills and help businesses align with ESG goals.
Nationwide Scale, Family-Owned Care: With operations across 30+ states and partnerships with 75+ mills, we deliver pallets where and when you need them. At the same time, we maintain the responsiveness and customer-first service of a family-owned business.
This is what we call the Hallwood Advantage: more than pallets, it’s a partnership that helps businesses move forward with confidence.
Sourcing pallets might seem straightforward, but the stakes are high. Choosing the cheapest option, overlooking sustainability, or relying on the wrong supplier can cost more than you realize. The good news? These mistakes are avoidable with the right partner.
Hallwood delivers more than products. We deliver trust, reliability, and sustainable solutions that strengthen your supply chain.
📞 Prefer to talk now? Call us at (757) 357-3113 or request a quote today to see the Hallwood difference for yourself.
