Goplasticpallets.com, the UK’s leading independent supplier of plastic pallets, has provided the perfect logistics solution for one of Scotland’s greatest exports, Scotch whisky.

Coming to the aid of established scotch producer, The Edrington Group (TEG), Goplasticpallets.com recommended a switch from wooden pallets to plastic pallets for a more durable, less damaging and therefore, more cost-effective solution to keep the scotch safe during transportation – essential since each pallet can carry £60,000 worth of scotch.

After being impressed by Goplasticpallets.com’s ‘knowledge and helpful attitude’, TEG ordered 1,400 of the company’s APB 1210 Pool Perforated 5R pallets in black, marking a decisive switch from traditional wooden pallets to plastic ones. TEG requested the removal of the lips to prevent damaging the cases and inner gift cartons, which often overhang the edge of the pallets. Anti-slip strips were added as a necessity to protect the fragile cargo, from the bottling line to the container. TEG also requested that Goplasticpallets.com sequentially number each of the 1,400 pallets for internal auditing purposes and brand ‘TEG’ for easy in-house identification.
Jamie Gardiner, TEG’s Purchasing Assistant said: “We had strict criteria on what we expected from the pallet and shared this with Goplasticpallets.com, who offered its expertise. The volume of product we store and transport on pallets varies depending on the pallet build, but typically around 1000kg per pallet to a maximum of 1250kg. We trialled several variants before committing to a final specification.”
TEG still uses standard-sized wooden pallets onsite at its bottling plant as slave pallets, placing cased goods on the pallet, transporting them to the company’s warehouse to be loaded into containers and then returning them to repeat the same process. But the rising cost of timber and the short lifespan of wooden pallets –around five trips in their experience – meant they were dissatisfied with the wooden pallets they had been using. Also, reusing wooden pallets on their automated lines was damaging the conveyors.
Jamie said: “We were surprised to learn that the life expectancy of Goplasticpallets.com’s pallets is around 10 to 15 years. This enables us to stabilise our spend on these items for that period. Plus plastic pallets won’t damage the conveyors. Quite simply, we couldn’t get all that from wood.”
Speaking about Goplasticpallets.com, Jamie added: “From initial enquiry to order placement, Goplasticpallets.com went the extra mile to ensure we purchased the most suitable pallets. The product quality and after sales customer care has to be commended and I wouldn’t hesitate to order with Goplasticpallets.com in the future.”