Wrap up Savings with Long-Lived, Low-Cost Slip Sheets
Wooden pallets have been a mainstay of wine operations and manufacturing for generations. But in today’s difficult economic environment, even wineries that are hesitant to experiment with alternatives are considering cost-saving alternatives. One of these options is recycled, recyclable plastic slip sheets, which can also replace corrugated or solid fiberboard pull sheets.
Slip sheets have been on the market for decades, but are underutilized in the wine industry. Yet affordable, highly durable plastic alternatives to wooden pallets and fiber sheets can substantially reduce packaging, shipping, and warehousing costs.
George J. Isaac, Jr., the sales director for Repsco, Inc., the industry-leading producer of these custom-designed slips sheets, explains how much wineries can save: “Most standard pallets used in manufacturing cost an average of $10 and weigh 40‒50 pounds without product. A Repsco’s SuperSheet typically weighs 1½ pounds and costs $2. Major manufacturers here in California, including medium- to large-sized wineries, can have 100,000 pallets in circulation. And if each of those 100,000 pallets costs $10, that’s a $1 million outlay versus $200,000 dollars for the same number of SuperSheets.”
Modesto-based Repsco manufactures fully recyclable high-density polyethylene (HDPE) sheets made from 100% recycled material, mainly with California recyclers, ticking the sustainability box for wineries focused on reducing their carbon footprint, especially when longevity is factored in. It custom-makes SuperSheets to match each client’s length, width and thickness configuration for four primary uses. They can fortify pallets from the top, providing 70% more stability, 92% more portability and up to 98% more sterility than a wood-based solution. Within the load, they can stabilize product layers, reducing damage by up to 100%. SuperSheets can function as a tier sheet between layers to improve load stacking and reduce shifting in transit, minimizing damage and maximizing freight efficiency.
“Durability is to me one of the key benefits of the SuperSheet,” says Isaac, making the decision to switch from wood pallets or fiber sheets even more attractive. Pallets are heavy, making them backbreaking to handle. They also break, crack and provide a perfect hiding place for rodents and insects. As they age, nails begin to protrude, causing injuries, tearing fiber sheets and damaging products. Wood-based sheets and pallets are also susceptible to heat, humidity and moisture, while SuperSheets are nearly invulnerable.
A well-cared-for SuperSheet can be reused many times more, while fiber sheets are often tossed out after the first use. Reusing SuperSheets just once or twice will cover their initial cost. Repsco also buys back a winery’s SuperSheets when they reach end-of-life. The Green to Gold program’s purchase credits encourage recycling and conservation while showcasing Repsco’s strong commitment to sustainability and environmental protection.
“The transition from wood pallets to SuperSheets is an operational change in how products are stored and shipped,” notes Isaac, “requiring a specialized push-pull forklift attachment. However, the ROI of that capital expense will be recouped very quickly.”
With lumber prices still rising, wood pallets and fiber-based sheets are less affordable than before the COVID-19 pandemic. Reach out to Repsco to learn more about how your winery can save money by relying on SuperSheets and state-of-the-art recycling technology.
To receive a customized analysis of the impact plastic slip sheets could have on your operation, visit www.repsco.com or contact George Isaac directly via email at sales@repsco.com or by phone at (209) 809-4105.
