Palletize

Palletize is the act of placing goods onto a pallet to form a unit load for handling, storage, and transport. The term is used in logistics and manufacturing, with "palletising" or "palletizing" as regional spellings.

The palletization process typically begins with selecting a pallet size appropriate for the shipment and handling equipment. Goods are oriented and stacked in stable patterns, such as interlocking layers or column stacking, to maximize stability and space utilization. Protective materials like corner boards or slip sheets may be used. After stacking, the unit load is secured with stretch wrap or strapping to prevent movement. The completed pallet is labeled and prepared for conveyance, forklift, or robotic palletizing systems.

Automated palletizers are common in modern warehouses, using robotic arms, suction cups, or parallel grippers to place items onto pallets, often integrated with conveyors and warehouse management systems. Manual or semi-automatic palletizing is still widely used for irregularly shaped or low-volume products.

Pallets themselves come in various materials, with wood being traditional, and plastic or metal used for higher durability or recyclability. Standard sizes vary by region, notably the United States (e.g., 48 by 40 inches) and Europe (800 by 1200 millimeters), with four-way entry common in many applications.

Benefits of palletization include improved handling efficiency, protection of goods, better storage density, and streamlined loading and unloading. Considerations include weight limits, pallet durability, load stability, and compliance with industry standards and safety practices.