Omar Khalid
Plastic pallets are believed to have been invented over 50 years ago, with the first plastic pallet developed and patented by George S. Mengele & Sons Inc. in 1963. However, the exact origins of the plastic pallet are unclear, with some speculating that they were first crafted by small custom plastic shops in the years following World War II. Plastic pallets gained popularity in the 1970s due to their advantages over wooden pallets, such as being lighter, more durable, and resistant to moisture and pests. In the 1990s, plastic pallets went global, and today they are one of the most popular types of pallets used for shipping and storing products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Invention | The exact date of invention is unclear, but plastic pallets emerged by the mid-1960s. |
| First Inventor | Robinson Industries, founded in 1947, is one of the earliest known manufacturers of plastic pallets. |
| Founder | Fred Robinson |
| Founder's Background | Fred Robinson previously worked on developing Styrofoam and thermoformed products. |
| Initial Production | Plastic pallets were crafted by individual plastic shops in the years following World War II. |
| Patents | Patents for plastic pallets emerged in the early 1960s, with specific patents for plastic pallets being filed in the second half of that decade. |
| Manufacturing Processes | Blow moulding, injection moulding, compression moulding, structural foam moulding, rotational moulding, and thermoforming. |
| Milestones | In 1963, the first plastic pallet was patented by George S. Mengele & Sons Inc. In the 1970s, plastic pallets gained popularity due to their advantages over wooden pallets. In the 1990s, plastic pallets went global. |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic pallets were first crafted by small custom plastic shops after World War II
- Robinson Industries, founded in 1947, was one of the first companies to produce plastic pallets
- The first plastic pallet was patented in 1963 by George S. Mengele & Sons Inc
- Plastic pallets gained popularity in the 1970s due to their advantages over wooden pallets
- In the 1990s, plastic pallets went global, revolutionizing the way products are shipped and stored
Plastic pallets were first crafted by small custom plastic shops after World War II
During the 1960s, evidence of patents relating to pallets made from plastic emerged in trade magazines. Modern Materials Handling Magazine, published in 1964, referenced fibreglass-reinforced pallets made from plastic. Patents from this time suggested that pallets could be fabricated from plastic sheets as well as other materials, with some patents focusing solely on plastic as a pallet material.
The 1960s saw the emergence of various manufacturing processes for plastic pallets, including blow moulding, injection moulding, compression moulding, structural foam moulding, rotational moulding, and thermoforming. Several companies entered the plastic pallet market during this decade, including PDQ Plastics, which developed the durable "Super D" pallet, and Engineered Polymers Corporation (EPC), which produced structural foam pallets.
In the early 1970s, more companies joined the plastic pallet market, and the product began to gain popularity. Companies in the food, beverage, automotive, and pharmaceutical sectors adopted plastic pallets for storing and transporting items. Plastic pallets offered several advantages over wooden pallets, including lighter weight, durability, moisture resistance, and pest resistance.
Over time, plastic pallets continued to evolve and improve, offering increased value and performance to users. By the 1990s, plastic pallets had gone global, with companies worldwide adopting them for shipping and storing products. Today, plastic pallets remain one of the most popular types of pallets, known for their durability, ease of handling, and environmental benefits.
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Robinson Industries, founded in 1947, was one of the first companies to produce plastic pallets
Plastic pallets are believed to have emerged after World War II, crafted by individual plastic shops. Robinson Industries, founded in 1947, was one of the first companies to produce plastic pallets. Its founder, Fred Robinson, had worked for Dow Chemical in the development of Styrofoam. By the 1950s, Robinson Industries was manufacturing thermoformed products such as refrigerator door liners.
The company played a significant role in the evolution of plastic pallets. By the 1960s, Robinson Industries was producing injection-moulded plastic pallets, as evidenced by trade magazines and patents from that era. The patents suggested flexibility in materials, indicating that pallets could be made from plastic sheets or other materials.
During this time, various manufacturing methods were explored for plastic pallets, including blow moulding, injection moulding, compression moulding, structural foam moulding, rotational moulding, and thermoforming. Robinson Industries continued to innovate, adopting new technologies to meet customer needs and improve storage and logistics efficiency.
The 1960s witnessed the emergence of other early entrants into the plastic pallet market, such as PDQ Plastics, Engineered Polymers Corporation (EPC), and George S. Mengele & Sons Inc., who developed the first patented plastic pallet in 1963. As the 1970s approached, more companies entered the market, and plastic pallets began to gain popularity due to their advantages over wooden pallets, including lighter weight and increased durability.
Over the years, plastic pallets have continued to evolve, offering improved performance and value to users. They have become a popular choice for shipping and storing products globally, revolutionising the way goods are transported and stored. Robinson Industries remains a leading innovator in the industry, known for its reusable plastic pallets and commitment to adopting new technologies.
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The first plastic pallet was patented in 1963 by George S. Mengele & Sons Inc
The history of the plastic pallet goes back more than 50 years, with the first plastic pallet patented in 1963 by George S. Mengele & Sons Inc. The original design was made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and had a nine-foot square footprint with a six-inch lip around the edge. These dimensions became the standard for plastic pallets for many years.
While the exact origins of the plastic pallet are unclear, it is believed that they emerged in the years following World War II, crafted by individual plastic shops. Robinson Industries, founded in 1947 by Fred Robinson, was one of these early plastic shops. Robinson had previously worked on developing styrofoam and, by the 1950s, was manufacturing thermoformed products. By the 1960s, Robinson Industries was producing injection-moulded plastic pallets.
Evidence from trade magazines and patents published in the 1960s suggests that plastic pallets were being made from a variety of materials, including plastic sheets and fibreglass-reinforced plastic. During this decade, blow moulding and injection moulding techniques were used to manufacture plastic pallets. Other methods, such as compression moulding, structural foam moulding, rotational moulding, and thermoforming, also emerged during this time.
As the 1970s approached, more companies entered the market for plastic pallets. PDQ Plastics, for example, began making durable pallets from plastic during this time, including the Super D pallet, which was sturdier than any other plastic pallet on the market. In 1972, Armin Thermodynamics began producing plastic pallets using rotational moulding, and Menasha Corporation (ORBIS) launched its Convoy plastic pallet. Horizon Plastics of Cobourg, Ontario, Canada, also created pallets made from structural foam during this period.
The advantages of plastic pallets, such as their lightweight durability, moisture resistance, and pest resistance, led to their increasing popularity in the 1970s. Over time, plastic pallets continued to evolve, offering improved performance and value to users. By the 1990s, plastic pallets had gone global, revolutionising the way products are shipped and stored worldwide.
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Plastic pallets gained popularity in the 1970s due to their advantages over wooden pallets
Plastic pallets have been around for more than 50 years, with the first plastic pallet believed to have been developed in 1963 by George S. Mengele & Sons Inc. However, it was in the 1970s that plastic pallets gained popularity due to their advantages over wooden pallets.
The early 1970s saw numerous companies enter the plastic pallet market. For example, in 1972, Armin Thermodynamics began producing plastic pallets using rotational moulding at its plant in Oklahoma. That same year, the Menasha Corporation (ORBIS) launched its Convoy plastic pallet, and Horizon Plastics of Cobourg, Ontario, Canada, began manufacturing pallets made from structural foam.
The emergence of these companies in the plastic pallet market offered consumers increased value and higher performance. Plastic pallets are lighter and more durable than wooden pallets, making them easier to handle and less prone to breaking. They are also more resistant to moisture and pests, meaning they do not require chemical treatment like wooden pallets, which improves their longevity and reduces costs.
The advantages of plastic pallets have led to their widespread adoption by companies around the world for shipping and storing products. They have revolutionized the way products are handled, shipped, and stored, and they continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of the logistics industry.
While the exact origins of plastic pallets are unclear, it is believed that they were first crafted by small custom plastic shops in the years following World War II. Robinson Industries, founded in 1947, is one such early plastic shop. By the 1960s, Robinson Industries was producing injection-moulded plastic pallets, and the company's founder, Fred Robinson, had previously worked on developing styrofoam.
In the 1960s, patents began to emerge for plastic pallets, with Modern Materials Handling Magazine referencing fibreglass-reinforced pallets in 1964. This was also the era when various manufacturing processes were introduced for plastic pallets, including blow moulding, injection moulding, compression moulding, structural foam moulding, rotational moulding, and thermoforming.
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In the 1990s, plastic pallets went global, revolutionizing the way products are shipped and stored
Plastic pallets have been around for over 50 years, but it is unclear when they were first invented. They were certainly in existence by the 1960s, with the first plastic pallet patented in 1963. However, some sources suggest that they may have been crafted by individual plastic shops in the years following World War II.
In the decades since their invention, plastic pallets have continued to evolve and improve, offering better value and performance to users. By the 1970s, plastic pallets began to gain popularity due to their many advantages over wooden pallets. They are lighter and more durable, easier to handle, and less likely to break. They also resist moisture and pests, meaning they don't need to be treated with chemicals.
It was in the 1990s, however, that plastic pallets truly went global. Companies all over the world began to adopt plastic pallets for shipping and storing products, revolutionizing the way goods are transported and stored. This was due to the many benefits offered by plastic pallets, including their strength, durability, and ease of handling.
Today, plastic pallets are one of the most popular types of pallets in use, and they continue to offer improved value and performance over time. They have become increasingly reliable, durable, economical, and eco-friendly, making them an attractive option for businesses looking to improve their supply chain efficiency and reduce costs.
The global popularity of plastic pallets has had a significant impact on the way products are shipped and stored. With their durability and ease of handling, plastic pallets have improved the efficiency and speed of supply chains, while also reducing the need for chemical treatments and pest control measures. Plastic pallets have also contributed to improved hygiene and food safety in the storage and transportation of goods, particularly in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
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Frequently asked questions
The exact origin of plastic pallets is unclear, but they are thought to have emerged in the 1940s or 1950s. Robinson Industries, founded in 1947, was one of the first companies to produce plastic pallets. Plastic pallets were then developed further in the 1960s, with the first plastic pallet being patented in 1963.
Plastic pallets were likely first crafted by small custom plastic shops in the years following World War II. During the war, a vast amount of materials and weaponry had to be transported, so pallets became extremely popular. Plastic pallets were an innovation in this area, offering a lighter and more durable alternative to wooden pallets.
Plastic pallets gained popularity in the 1970s due to their advantages over wooden pallets. By the 1990s, they went global, with companies worldwide adopting them for shipping and storing products. Today, plastic pallets are one of the most popular types of pallets in use.
