Pallet 101 Info

 GMA stands for the Grocery Manufacturers Association, who has set a standard for the industry, and is the most popular pallet.  Wooden pallets typically consist of three or four stringers that support several deck boards, on top of which goods are placed. In a pallet measurement, the first number is the stringer length and the second is the deck-board length. 

There are 2-way and 4-way pallets, which means the ability for a fork lift to grab the pallet.  The standard fork lift access side is the second dimension - as example the 40 side of a 48x40.  Two-way pallets are designed to be lifted by the deck boards. 

The standard 48″x40″ North American pallet, or GMA pallet has stringers of 48 inches and deck boards of 40 inches and was standardized by the Grocery Manufacturers Association. A standard wooden pallet (48 in × 40 in × 6 in) will weigh approximately 33 to 48 lb. Standard GMA pallets can hold up to 460 pounds. 

GMA pallets typically weigh 37 pounds (17 kg) and are 6 1⁄2 inches (170 mm) tall. Their deck boards measure 3 1⁄4 inches (83 mm) wide and 5⁄16 inches (7.9 mm) thick. Other dimensions of pallets have different weight capacities. 

Wood pallets are generally placed into one of two grades, though some sellers use a third grade, but pallets in this grade are typically toward the end of their useful life. Each of these grades is broken down further into categories with more specific criteria:

• Grade A: Also known as grade 1. Generally speaking, Grade A pallets have not had and do not require any repairs. At the top of the grade A category are AAA or “club grade” pallets, which are in good repair, look brand new, and are suitable for display on a retail floor. At the lowest tier of the category are pallets that do not have or need repairs, but may need some soon.
• Grade B: Also known as grade 2 pallets. Grade B pallets have had repairs in the form of replaced deck boards, plates, or plugs. They should be just as strong and reliable as Grade A pallets, but retailers may not want to display them. 
• Grade C: Also known as grade 3. Pallets in this tier have a poor appearance and are typically in bad condition. These pallets have typically received multiple repairs and deck boards may not be fully intact.