Grocery pallets, GMA pallets, standard pallets — all are names for the typical 48” x 40” pallet used over 90% of the time any pallet is shipped anywhere. However, if you asked ten different people what a “GMA” pallet was, you would quickly get ten different answers: “A GMA pallet is a 48x40,” or “A GMA pallet is for food,” or “A GMA pallet is brand new hardwood.”
Let’s get rid of the mystery. This article will answer a few questions:
Where did the GMA pallet specification come from?
What is the true GMA pallet specification?
What are some of the variations within the “GMA” pallet family?
When is a true GMA necessary, and when can a cost-effective alternative be substituted?
Where did the GMA pallet specification come from?
GMA stands for the “Grocery Manufacturers Association.” This group established the standards to standardize racking and transportation for the grocery industry in 1908. It is now an organization that acts as a liaison for its member companies, completing studies for best practices in food manufacturing. It is also a hub of information for consumers regarding industry trends and scientific advances in chemistry and processing for the industry (read more at www.gmaonline.com). The ISO (International Organization for Standardization) accepts the GMA specification as one of the standard types of pallets transported worldwide.
What is the true GMA pallet specification?
The GMA standard pallet is constructed with high-density hardwood, seven top deck boards that are 40 inches wide, and five bottom deck boards that are also 40 inches wide. Three stringers are 48 inches long, 3 1/2 inches tall, and 1 3/8 inches thick. Although robust, this spec has been largely disregarded, and most companies that demand a “GMA Specification” will make exceptions on multiple aspects of the requirement, such as lumber type, lumber use, and lumber thickness. The reason these companies have loosened their specification standards is due to cost. It is no longer cost-effective for many manufacturers to purchase these brand-new, made-to-spec pallets when a lower-grade new pallet or a high-quality recycled pallet would perform at the same level for a significantly decreased cost.
What is the difference between a new and recycled GMA pallet?
Now that we have made the distinction between the slight variations in the GMA Pallet specification, there are a few established, commonly accepted versions of the GMA Pallet that many companies use regularly:
New Hardwood Pallets: More common than the specification of the GMA Pallet mentioned above is a new hardwood pallet with seven top deck boards, five bottom deckboards, and three stringers. Instead of the deck boards having a standard 5/8-inch thickness and stringers that are one 3/8-inch thick, manufacturers who need a new hardwood pallet will often purchase a 9/16-inch deck board and one 1/4-inch stringer. This saves a significant amount of money while only slightly lessening the strength rating.
New Softwood Pallets: In most parts of the country, softwood is more readily available than hardwood. Not only is it more available, but it is also more easily processed and resawn than hardwood lumber because it is less dense. The typical dimensions of a softwood “GMA” pallet are 48 x 3.5 x 1.5-inch stringers, seven 40” wide x 11/16” thick top deck boards, and five deck boards on the bottom.
Recycled Pallets: Practically speaking, most food manufacturers and distributors do not require a new wood pallet, even though they may have specifications that call for the official GMA Pallet as described by the Grocery Manufacturers Association. Most industries that require a 48” x 40” pallet utilize various grades of recycled 48” x 40” pallets, which are still often referred to as “GMA” pallets, even though they do not meet the official GMA specification. Here are a few commonly recognized grades of recycled GMA pallets:
#1 / A Grade Recycled:
These are pallets that do not have any repairs or plugs on the stringers. These are functionally brand-new pallets that have been lightly used and well-maintained. It is often difficult to tell the difference between a #1 / A Grade pallet and a new pallet. This pallet grade is more cost-effective than new pallets and has a comparable, if not equal, strength rating to a new pallet because it is lightly worn and has likely completely dried out over time. Many companies move from new pallets to a #1 / A Grade because this version of the GMA specification is as clean and strong as a new pallet.
The #1 / A Grade pallet has a couple of drawbacks. First, they are not always available. Being a product of recycling by definition, a pallet recycler can only repair and sell as many pallets as are available on the market to repair and recycle. Second, a pallet that has been repaired no longer maintains a uniform specification. While it may be the GMA footprint of 48” long by 40” wide, the repair process introduces different lumber types for repair boards, which creates a mixture of hardwoods and softwoods, different deck board thicknesses, and likely a variation of different lumber types, board thicknesses, and board configurations on the pallet.
#2 / B Grade Recycled:
This is the lowest grade 48” x 40” pallet, occasionally called a “GMA” pallet. At the beginning of their pallet life, they started as one of the varieties of GMA pallets described above. Over time and through many uses, they lost boards, sustained cracks, and endured product spills, making it the least aesthetically pleasing or clean pallet of the “GMA” family. The only resemblance the #2 / B Grade Recycled Pallet has to a true GMA pallet is that the #2 / B Grade is 48” x 40” and may end up in a grocery store aisle.
This specification is the most plentiful and the least expensive. However, it does not qualify for most traditional GMA Pallet usage because it is dirtier and less trackable than any other pallet type.
How do I know if I need a GMA pallet?
We have covered the official GMA specification, commonly accepted variations of that specification, and the recycled pallets that ultimately do not cut the mustard. This may leave you with the question, “When do I know if I should use a true GMA pallet or a cost-effective alternative?” The best answer is this: Get to know your customer.
Your customer may require your product to be delivered on a true GMA pallet, and they may provide you with a spec sheet that denotes the true GMA spec described earlier. After touring their facility, you may find out that other vendors ship products on recycled pallets or other variations of non-GMA 48” x 40” pallets.
For example, one company asked their pallet provider to quote a pallet for a “Walmart project” and consequently sent the specification for a Walmart-approved pallet. This specification outlined the classic new hardwood pallet. The pallet company got to work on a quote immediately and gave a competitive price for that premium pallet. The customer was surprised at the price and asked the pallet company to make a few minor concessions. The manufacturer did so, but the price remained out of the ballpark. Eventually, the manufacturer gave a price for the lowest grade 48” x 40” we had available. We finally met the price point with the necessary caveats and disclaimers. Everything worked well after delivering the first load of pallets, and the manufacturer won a loyal customer.
Conclusion
Each person has a different idea of what a “GMA” pallet is, so when discussing what each application calls for, be sure to ask whether or not the “GMA” pallet needs to be new, hardwood, or maintain a strength rating greater than 2,500 lbs. If not, chances are that the company requiring the GMA pallet is flexible in its needs and can use a more cost-effective option.