What Do Pallet Consultants Do?

Understanding a Pallet Consultants’ Role in Your Organization’s Logistics Success

Pallets are often an overlooked but critical component of a smooth and cost-efficient supply chain. When businesses face recurring issues with pallet performance, rising material costs, or the need to meet sustainability goals, pallet consultants can provide strategic solutions that go far beyond standard product ordering.

In this blog, we explore the role of pallet consultants, how they support operations, and when it might be time to bring one into your organization.

What Are Pallet Consultants?

Pallet consultants are logistics and supply chain experts who specialize in optimizing pallet-related operations. Rather than selling a specific product, their goal is to identify areas of improvement in how pallets are designed, sourced, used, and managed.

Pallet consultants can be hired directly by manufacturers, retailers, or logistics providers—or they may work as part of a broader supply chain management firm. Their expertise spans everything from material selection to custom design, freight optimization, and end-of-life recycling strategies.

When Should You Work with a Pallet Consultant?

While many businesses use standard pallets without issue, there are several situations where working with a pallet consultant can provide a competitive edge:

• You’re experiencing frequent pallet breakage or product damage.

• Your freight costs are increasing due to inefficient pallet design.

• You’re expanding to new markets with different shipping standards or regulations.

• You want to improve sustainability efforts by switching to recyclable or longer-lasting pallet materials.

• You’re managing multiple suppliers and need a more efficient, unified pallet strategy.

4 Services Offered by Pallet Consultants

To dive deeper into what pallet consultants offer to their clients, let’s take a closer look at their individual service offerings:

1. Custom Pallet Design

If your pallet needs don’t fit the mold, a pallet consultant can help you create a custom pallet to fit your needs. How do they do that? Well, pallet consultants analyze your product specifications, supply chain, and handling environments to develop pallets that optimize load-bearing, reduce weight, and improve durability. They often use industry-specific design software to create tailored solutions.

2. Material Selection Guidance

Not all pallets are created equal. Consultants help you choose between wood, plastic, metal, and composite materials based on cost, application, and environmental requirements.

3. Cost and Efficiency Analysis

Through detailed audits, a pallet consultant will identify areas where you may be overspending on freight, storage, or repairs. They’ll offer redesigns or sourcing strategies that cut costs and improve ROI.

4. Vendor and Supply Chain Coordination

Many consultants have networks of vetted pallet manufacturers and recyclers. They can help you find reliable partners, negotiate better pricing, or shift to a vendor-managed inventory (VMI) system for greater consistency and visibility.

5. Sustainability and Lifecycle Planning

From sourcing FSC-certified wood to establishing a pallet recovery and recycling program, consultants build sustainability into every step of the pallet lifecycle.

How Olympic Forest Products Approaches Pallet Consulting

At Olympic Forest Products, pallet consulting is more than a service—it’s how we help customers turn their logistics operations into a competitive advantage. Our team begins with a full audit of your current usage, identifying areas for improvement across cost, performance, and environmental impact.

Using industry-leading software and deep vendor relationships, we design and source the right pallet solution for your needs. Whether it’s reducing breakage rates or helping you hit sustainability targets, we work as a true partner in your supply chain.

Ready to optimize your pallet strategy?

If you think your current pallet setup could be working harder for you, it might be time to talk to a pallet consultant. At Olympic Forest Products, we’re here to help you find smarter, more sustainable ways to power your logistics.

Contact us today to learn more about our pallet consulting services and how we can help streamline your supply chain.