Factors influencing pallet material substitution by the U.S. grocery distribution industry

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dc.contributor.authorEngle, Catherine Annaen
dc.contributor.committeechairBush, Robert J.en
dc.contributor.committeememberWest, Cynthia D.en
dc.contributor.committeememberSullivan, Jayen
dc.contributor.committeememberWhite, Marshall S.en
dc.contributor.departmentWood Science and Forest Productsen
dc.date.accessioned2014-03-14T21:36:07Zen
dc.date.adate2010-05-11en
dc.date.available2014-03-14T21:36:07Zen
dc.date.issued1994-05-05en
dc.date.rdate2010-05-11en
dc.date.sdate2010-05-11en
dc.description.abstractPersons involved in pallet decisions at U.S. grocery distribution centers were surveyed to investigate the degree of material substitution, assess factors influencing pallet material substitution, and quantify consumer perceptions of wood pallets compared to substitutes. A total of 444 questionnaires were mailed nationwide. Underlying reasons for material substitution were investigated through in-depth interviews with 20 respondents. Cost per use was considered by grocery distributors to be the Persons involved in pallet decisions at U.S. grocery distribution centers were surveyed to investigate the degree of material substitution, assess factors influencing pallet material substitution, and quantify consumer perceptions of wood pallets compared to substitutes. A total of 444 questionnaires were mailed nationwide. Underlying reasons for material substitution were investigated through in-depth interviews with 20 respondents. Cost per use was considered by grocery distributors to be the most important factor when choosing a pallet to be sent downstream to their customers. Common advantages of solid wood pallets reported by respondents included: availability, low initial cost, durability/stability (the ability of the pallet to be racked and hold the necessary weight with little deflection), industry standard, ability to exchange, ease of repair. Common disadvantages of solid wood pallets reported by respondents included: easily damaged, short life, high repair and replacement costs, heavy, inconsistent construction, and damages product. Advantages of plastic pallets reported by respondents included: light weight, durability, longer life, true four-way entry, and ability to nest. Plastic pallets were perceived to be superior to wood pallets in terms of overall performance, durability, and recyclability. Although 100 percent of the responding companies use solid wood pallets to ship goods to customers, approximately 20 percent of the companies also use plastic pallets (the dominant substitute pallet material) for this purpose. The common plastic pallet used by respondents was of the twin sheet thermoform type. The primary reason for switching to plastic pallets was perceived overall cost savings resulting from long pallet life.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Scienceen
dc.format.extentix, 182 leavesen
dc.format.mediumBTDen
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen
dc.identifier.otheretd-05112010-020324en
dc.identifier.sourceurlhttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-05112010-020324/en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/42631en
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.relation.haspartLD5655.V855_1994.E645.pdfen
dc.relation.isformatofOCLC# 31459373en
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subject.lccLD5655.V855 1994.E645en
dc.subject.lcshGrocery trade -- United Statesen
dc.subject.lcshPallets (Shipping, storage, etc)en
dc.titleFactors influencing pallet material substitution by the U.S. grocery distribution industryen
dc.typeThesisen
dc.type.dcmitypeTexten
thesis.degree.disciplineWood Science and Forest Productsen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen

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