Industries We Serve

The food and beverage industry has some of the most stringent pallet requirements in any sector. From FDA regulations governing food-contact surfaces to USDA guidelines for cold storage facilities, every pallet in a food supply chain must meet exacting standards for hygiene, traceability, and structural integrity.

Cleveland Pallet Co. provides ISPM-15 heat-treated pallets that exceed food safety requirements. Our heat treatment process eliminates bacteria, fungi, and insects that could contaminate food products. For clients operating in HACCP-certified environments, we offer dedicated pallet streams that are inspected, cleaned, and stored separately from general inventory to prevent cross-contamination.

Cold storage and frozen food operations present unique challenges. Pallets must withstand temperature extremes without becoming brittle or losing structural strength. Our Grade A and premium pallets are specifically selected for dimensional stability and moisture resistance, ensuring reliable performance from the processing floor to the cold chain.

Pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution demands the highest levels of cleanliness, traceability, and regulatory compliance in the pallet industry. Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) environments require materials that are non-porous, easily cleaned, and free from contamination — making pallet selection a critical supply chain decision.

We offer pharmaceutical-grade plastic pallets that meet the stringent requirements of GMP facilities. These pallets feature smooth, non-absorbent surfaces that resist bacterial growth and can be pressure-washed and sanitized between uses. For less sensitive pharmaceutical applications, our premium heat-treated wood pallets provide a cost-effective alternative that still meets regulatory standards.

Traceability is paramount in pharmaceutical logistics. Every pallet we supply to pharmaceutical clients is documented with batch tracking information, inspection dates, and treatment certifications. This documentation supports our clients' regulatory compliance efforts and provides an audit trail that satisfies FDA inspection requirements.

The automotive industry relies on pallets to move everything from small fasteners and electronic components to heavy engine blocks and body panels. The diversity of parts and the precision demanded by just-in-time manufacturing make pallet selection and consistency critically important to keeping production lines running.

Cleveland Pallet Co. provides heavy-duty pallets engineered for the loads typical in automotive supply chains. Our standard 48x40 pallets handle loads up to 2,500 lbs in static applications and 2,000 lbs in dynamic (forklift) handling. For heavier automotive components like engines, transmissions, and axle assemblies, we build reinforced custom pallets with additional stringers and thicker deck boards.

Automotive manufacturers operate on tight schedules where a missing pallet can halt an assembly line. We support this through guaranteed inventory reserves for our automotive clients, scheduled recurring deliveries synchronized with production schedules, and rapid-response capability for unexpected demand spikes. Our reliability rate of 99.5% on-time delivery reflects the seriousness with which we approach automotive supply chain requirements.

The retail and e-commerce sector is the highest-volume consumer of pallets in the economy. From massive distribution centers that process thousands of pallets daily to individual store receiving docks, the retail supply chain depends on reliable, cost-effective pallets to move goods from manufacturer to consumer.

Cost efficiency is the primary driver in retail pallet selection, and this is where recycled pallets deliver their greatest advantage. Our Grade B and Grade C pallets provide excellent functionality at 50-70% less cost than new pallets. For retail distribution centers that process high volumes, this translates to significant annual savings without compromising operational performance.

E-commerce has created new demands on pallet infrastructure. The shift from full-pallet shipments to mixed-SKU, case-pick operations means pallets are handled more frequently and in more varied ways. We provide a range of sizes including half-pallets (24x40) for store display and quarter-pallets for promotional end-caps, giving retailers flexibility across their supply chain from warehouse to store floor.

Manufacturing operations depend on pallets as a fundamental piece of infrastructure — they're the interface between production lines, storage systems, and shipping operations. Whether it's a steel fabrication shop, a plastics molder, or an electronics assembler, manufacturing facilities need pallets that are durable, dimensionally consistent, and reliably available.

Cleveland Pallet Co. serves dozens of manufacturing facilities across Northeast Ohio with tailored pallet programs. We understand that manufacturing environments are tough on pallets — heavy loads, frequent forklift handling, outdoor storage, and exposure to industrial processes all take their toll. That's why we focus on providing robust, well-inspected pallets graded specifically for industrial use.

Many manufacturers need custom pallet dimensions to fit their products, production equipment, or racking systems. Our repair workshop can modify standard pallets or build custom sizes to spec. We also offer ongoing repair services where we pick up damaged pallets from your facility, repair them, and return them to service — a cost-effective alternative to constantly purchasing replacements.

The chemical industry presents unique challenges for pallet selection. Chemical spills, corrosive materials, fire hazards, and regulatory requirements for hazardous material handling all factor into the pallet specification process. Choosing the wrong pallet material in a chemical environment can create safety hazards and regulatory violations.

For chemical and hazardous material applications, we primarily recommend our plastic pallet options. Plastic pallets are impervious to chemical spills, don't absorb hazardous materials, and can be easily decontaminated. For applications involving flammable materials, we offer fire-retardant plastic pallets that meet NFPA storage guidelines.

When wood pallets are preferred or required (some chemical shipping regulations specify wood for certain classifications), we provide ISPM-15 heat-treated pallets that meet international hazmat shipping requirements. Our wood pallets for chemical use are carefully inspected to ensure there are no exposed nails, splinters, or structural weaknesses that could compromise containment during transit.

The construction industry needs pallets that can handle the heaviest, bulkiest, and often most awkwardly shaped loads in any supply chain. Bricks, concrete blocks, roofing materials, steel beams, lumber, and heavy machinery all require pallets built for extreme duty and often used in rough outdoor conditions.

Our construction-grade pallets are built with reinforced stringers, thicker deck boards, and additional nailing patterns that increase load capacity significantly above standard specifications. For the heaviest applications, we provide block pallets with four-way entry that can support static loads exceeding 5,000 lbs. Oversized pallets up to 72 inches in either dimension are available for materials that don't fit standard sizes.

Construction sites present harsh environments for pallets. Rain, mud, UV exposure, and heavy equipment all accelerate wear. We address this reality by offering construction clients our most durable grades and providing volume pricing that makes pallet replacement economically practical. Many construction companies also use our pallet buyback service — when a job site is complete, we pick up usable pallets for credit.

Agriculture presents a unique combination of pallet challenges: seasonal demand spikes, outdoor storage requirements, weight variability from light produce to heavy feed bags, and regulatory requirements for organic and food-contact applications. The agricultural pallet must be versatile, cost-effective, and available when harvest and planting seasons demand it.

Cleveland Pallet Co. serves agricultural operations from small family farms to large-scale agricultural processors and feed distributors. We offer seasonal volume adjustments that align with the agricultural calendar — higher volumes during harvest and planting seasons, scaled back during winter months. This flexibility ensures our agricultural clients never overspend on pallets they don't need or run short during peak demand.

For organic produce operations, we provide pallets that meet National Organic Program (NOP) requirements — untreated wood that hasn't been exposed to chemical preservatives or pesticides. Our heat-treated pallets satisfy both organic requirements and ISPM-15 export standards, allowing organic producers to ship domestically and internationally from a single pallet stock.