Manufacturing & Warehousing
High-volume, consistent quality, on-time every time. Built for operations that never stop.
Manufacturing Pallet Program
Custom pallet programs for high-volume operations.
Industrial-Scale Supply
Manufacturing operations consume pallets at a pace that demands a supplier who can keep up. Whether your plant runs one shift or three, your pallet supply needs to be as reliable as your production line. A pallet shortage that stops a manufacturing line can cost thousands of dollars per hour in lost productivity — and those costs compound across every downstream operation waiting for your output.
Bakersfield Pallet Co. understands manufacturing because we are a manufacturing operation ourselves. We build, repair, and recondition pallets at our facility at 3240 Patton Way, Bakersfield, CA 93308 using many of the same principles our manufacturing customers use: standardized processes, quality controls, inventory management, and just-in-time delivery coordination.
We offer managed pallet programs with dedicated inventory, scheduled deliveries, and consistent grading. Your account manager — Wren Castellano leads our industrial partnerships — works directly with your operations team to ensure zero disruption. From initial needs assessment through ongoing optimization, our approach is designed to make pallet supply one less thing your operations team has to worry about.
Our monthly capacity exceeds 10,000 pallets, with the ability to surge beyond that for special requirements. We maintain buffer inventory for our standing-order customers, so an unexpected production increase does not leave you scrambling for pallets. And because we stock multiple grades, sizes, and types, we can build a mixed program that optimizes cost across your different applications.
Standing Orders
Set it and forget it. Automatic weekly or bi-weekly deliveries of your specified pallets. Your order is built and staged before your delivery day, ensuring on-time arrival every week.
Volume Pricing
Tiered pricing that rewards consistent volume. The more you use, the more you save. Annual contracts available for maximum price stability and priority allocation.
Mixed Loads
Need multiple sizes in one delivery? We can split loads to match your production needs. A single truck can carry Grade A 48x40s for shipping, Grade B 48x40s for storage, and custom sizes for special products.
Return & Recycle
We pick up your used and broken pallets on the same trip we deliver fresh ones. Returns earn credit toward future orders and keep waste out of your facility. We repair what we can and recycle the rest.
Racking Compatible
Pallets inspected for dimensional consistency to work with your automated racking systems. We document dimensional tolerances and maintain inspection records for your quality assurance team.
Emergency Supply
Production surge? Unexpected order? We keep reserve stock for rush orders with same-day availability. Oakley Thorne coordinates emergency deliveries to get pallets to your dock within hours.
Monthly capacity
On-time delivery rate
Manufacturing clients
Rush order turnaround
Just-In-Time Delivery for Lean Operations
Modern manufacturing increasingly operates on just-in-time (JIT) principles, minimizing on-site inventory to reduce costs, free up floor space, and improve cash flow. This philosophy extends to pallet supply — you want pallets arriving precisely when needed, not sitting in your yard consuming valuable space.
Our JIT pallet delivery program is designed for manufacturers who want to minimize pallet inventory on their premises while maintaining an uninterrupted supply. We coordinate delivery timing with your production schedule, so pallets arrive just before they are needed on the line. For high-volume operations, this can mean daily deliveries timed to shift changes.
The key to successful JIT pallet supply is communication and reliability. Oakley Thorne works with your production planning team to understand your schedule, anticipate needs, and adjust delivery quantities as production plans change. Our 99.5% on-time delivery rate is not a marketing number — it is a tracked, audited metric that our manufacturing customers depend on.
For operations that cannot tolerate even a single late delivery, we offer a consignment inventory option. We place a reserve of pallets at your facility, and you draw from it as needed. We monitor the reserve level and replenish automatically, so you always have a buffer without carrying inventory on your books.
JIT Delivery Options
Daily Scheduled Delivery
For operations consuming 200+ pallets per day. Pallets arrive at a fixed time each morning, staged for your first shift. Quantity adjustments communicated by 3 PM the prior day.
Ideal for: High-volume continuous manufacturing
Weekly Standing Order
The most popular option. A fixed quantity delivered on the same day each week. Simple, reliable, and cost-effective. Quantity changes accommodated with one week notice.
Ideal for: Most manufacturing operations
Bi-Weekly Delivery
For moderate-volume operations that have storage space for two weeks of inventory. Lower delivery frequency reduces per-pallet logistics cost.
Ideal for: Medium-volume operations with yard space
On-Demand / Call-Off
You call when you need pallets, and we deliver within 24-48 hours from our pre-allocated inventory. Flexible but requires more planning on your end.
Ideal for: Variable production schedules
Consignment Inventory
We place inventory at your facility and replenish as you use it. You only pay for what you consume. We monitor levels and restock automatically.
Ideal for: Mission-critical operations with zero downtime tolerance
Pallet Types for Manufacturing
Manufacturing operations handle a vast range of products, from lightweight consumer goods to multi-ton industrial equipment. Each application demands a different pallet specification. Choosing the right type eliminates product damage, warehouse incidents, and unnecessary cost.
Standard Duty (Grade A)
Up to 2,500 lbs dynamic loadThree-stringer, 48x40 GMA standard. 5/8" top deck boards, 5/16" bottom deck boards.
General manufacturing, light assembly, consumer goods packaging, warehouse storage
Most cost-effective option for standard applications
Standard Duty (Grade B)
Up to 2,500 lbs dynamic loadThree-stringer, 48x40 GMA standard. Minor cosmetic wear. All boards intact and fasteners secure.
Internal transfers, warehouse staging, non-customer-facing shipments, secondary packaging
20-30% less than Grade A with equivalent structural performance
Heavy Duty (Reinforced)
Up to 5,000 lbs dynamic loadFour or five stringers, hardwood construction. Full 3/4" deck boards, reinforced with additional center boards.
Engine blocks, machine parts, steel components, concrete products, heavy equipment
Premium pricing reflects additional material and construction. Cost per load often lower than using multiple standard pallets.
Block Pallets (4-Way Entry)
Up to 3,500 lbs dynamic loadNine-block construction with full 4-way fork entry. Top and bottom deck boards with perimeter and center blocks.
Automated warehouse systems, AS/RS racking, conveyor systems, and operations requiring unrestricted 4-way access
Higher cost per unit but often required for automated operations where stringer pallets are incompatible
Export Pallets (ISPM-15)
Up to 2,500 lbs dynamic loadStandard or heavy-duty construction with heat-treated wood. ISPM-15 stamp applied after treatment.
International shipments of manufactured goods, export packaging, ocean freight
Small premium over standard pallets to cover heat treatment certification
Plastic Pallets
Up to 3,000 lbs dynamic load (varies by model)High-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene. Injection-molded or structural foam construction.
Clean room manufacturing, pharmaceutical, food processing, closed-loop systems, automated handling
Higher initial cost offset by 10x longer lifespan and lower per-trip cost in closed-loop applications
Custom Sizing for Equipment & Machinery
Standard pallet sizes work for most manufactured products, but there are many manufacturing applications where custom dimensions are essential. Oversized machinery, unusually shaped components, and precision equipment all require pallets engineered to their specific footprint.
Our custom manufacturing pallet service begins with a consultation. Garrett Caldwell and our design team review your product dimensions, weight, handling requirements, and shipping method to engineer a pallet that provides optimal support, protection, and handling efficiency.
For recurring custom orders, we maintain dedicated jigs and production setups so your custom pallets are produced with the same speed and consistency as our standard sizes. Minimum orders for custom manufacturing pallets start at just 25 units, making custom viable even for low-volume specialty products.
We have designed custom pallets for applications ranging from solar panel shipping crates to agricultural equipment platforms to industrial compressor bases. No product is too large, too heavy, or too unusual for us to support.
Custom Manufacturing Examples
HVAC Unit Shipping Bases
60" x 48" heavy-duty with 4,000 lb capacity. Reinforced center support to prevent deflection under concentrated loads. Bolt-down points for securing units during transport.
Automotive Parts Containers
48" x 45" automotive standard with custom divider slots routed into top deck boards. Supports stackable parts containers used in assembly line delivery.
Steel Coil Cradles
48" x 48" with V-notch saddle construction to cradle steel coils. Hardwood construction rated for 5,000 lbs. Banded anchor points integrated into stringer design.
Solar Panel Crates
82" x 42" custom size matching standard solar panel dimensions. Lightweight construction to minimize shipping weight while maintaining structural integrity for stacked freight.
Industrial Pump Bases
36" x 36" heavy-duty with 3,500 lb capacity. Full deck, hardwood stringers, and integrated lifting points for crane handling in industrial environments.
Automation Compatibility
As manufacturing and warehousing operations invest in automation, pallet quality becomes even more critical. Automated systems are far less forgiving of dimensional variation, structural defects, and surface imperfections than human operators. A pallet that a forklift driver would handle without issue can jam an automated conveyor, crash an AS/RS crane, or cause a robotic palletizer to fault.
Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems (AS/RS)
AS/RS systems have the strictest dimensional tolerances of any pallet application. Pallets must be within plus or minus 1/4 inch of specified dimensions on all axes. Warped, bowed, or out-of-square pallets will jam the system, causing costly downtime.
Block pallets or precision-graded stringer pallets with documented dimensional inspection. Plastic pallets are ideal for AS/RS due to their consistent dimensions throughout their lifespan.
Conveyor Systems
Pallets move through roller and chain conveyors at high speed. Bottom deck boards must be smooth, continuous, and free from protruding fasteners. Board spacing must be compatible with roller spacing to prevent jamming.
Grade A pallets with full bottom deck boards. Block pallets preferred for multi-directional conveyors. All fasteners must be flush or recessed.
Robotic Palletizing
Robotic palletizers place products on pallets with millimeter precision. Pallet dimensions and surface flatness must be consistent across every unit. Uneven pallets cause stacking errors, product damage, and system faults.
Precision-graded pallets with verified flatness. New or like-new Grade A pallets recommended. Plastic pallets offer the most consistent surface for robotic stacking.
Stretch Wrap Machines
Automated stretch wrappers rotate pallets on a turntable or orbit them with a rotating arm. Pallets must be structurally sound to withstand the rotational forces and the tension of the wrap without flexing or breaking.
Standard Grade A pallets are suitable for most stretch wrap applications. Heavy loads being wrapped may require reinforced pallets to prevent board flexion during the wrapping cycle.
Pallet Dispensers / Stackers
Automated pallet dispensers feed empty pallets to production lines. They require consistent pallet height, weight, and nesting characteristics. Pallets with varying stringer heights or uneven boards will jam the dispenser.
Consistent-source pallets from a single grade and supplier. Our standing order program ensures you receive pallets from consistent production runs with matching specifications.
Cost Optimization for Manufacturing
In manufacturing, pallet costs are a recurring operational expense that can be optimized without compromising quality or reliability. Wren Castellano works with manufacturing clients to identify the most cost-effective pallet strategy for their specific operation.
New vs. Recycled
Recycled pallets cost 40-60% less than new construction. For non-customer-facing applications, recycled Grade B pallets deliver identical structural performance at a fraction of the price.
Volume Commitments
Standing orders of 500+ pallets per week qualify for our tiered volume pricing. The larger and more consistent your order, the lower your per-unit cost. Annual contracts lock in pricing against market fluctuations.
Pallet Return Credits
Every used pallet we pick up from your facility earns a credit toward your next order. Our trucks collect returns on the same route as deliveries, so there is no additional logistics cost for returns.
Grade Matching
Using the right grade for each application eliminates overspending. A manufacturer might use Grade A for outbound customer shipments, Grade B for internal warehouse transfers, and Grade C for scrap material disposal.
Mixed Load Efficiency
Rather than placing separate orders for different sizes or grades, our mixed load capability lets you receive everything in one delivery. This reduces per-delivery costs and simplifies your receiving process.
Lifecycle Cost Analysis
A more expensive pallet that lasts 15 trips is cheaper per trip than a bargain pallet that fails after 3 trips. We help you evaluate total cost of ownership, not just purchase price, to find the true optimum.
Racking System Compatibility
Pallet racking is a multi-billion dollar industry, and every racking system is designed around specific pallet dimensions and weight ratings. Using the wrong pallet in a racking system can cause rack collapse — one of the most dangerous and destructive incidents that can occur in a warehouse.
Selective Racking
The most common racking type. Standard 48x40 pallets work well. Pallets must span the rack beams without excessive overhang or underhang. Stringer direction matters — stringers must run perpendicular to the beams.
Drive-In / Drive-Through
Pallets sit on rails rather than beams. Bottom deck board spacing must align with rail spacing. Block pallets often preferred. Pallet must be rigid enough to span the rails without excessive deflection.
Push-Back Racking
Pallets ride on nested carts. Consistent pallet dimensions are critical to prevent carts from binding. Weight must be within cart rating. 4-way entry pallets preferred for loading flexibility.
Pallet Flow / Gravity Flow
Pallets move on roller conveyors within the rack. Bottom deck board condition is critical — protruding boards or fasteners will jam the rollers. Consistent weight and dimensions essential.
Cantilever Racking
Typically used for long, bulky items. Custom pallet lengths may be required. Pallets often span multiple cantilever arms and must be rigid enough to prevent sagging between support points.
Double-Deep Racking
Requires reach trucks to access the back pallet position. Pallets must be compatible with reach truck forks and must maintain dimensional consistency for safe double-deep placement.