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For decades, the 48×40 pallet has been the foundation of modern shipping.
Originally established under the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), it brought structure and consistency to how goods moved across industries, revolutionizing the way manufacturers, warehouses, and retailers operated together. The 48×40 became the universal language of logistics, a common standard that simplified storage, reduced freight costs, and improved handling efficiency across an entire economy.
But as recycling and repair practices expanded, that once clear standard became a patchwork of variations. What had started as a unified design gradually took on different forms and definitions depending on region, repair method, or supplier, leaving many companies unsure of what they were actually buying.
Millwood brings unity and reliability back to the 48×40 standard.
Since the 1980s, we’ve helped customers solve supply, cost, and sustainability challenges through practical, “service driven” solutions, not slogans. Our team has worked side by side with customers to refine repair methods, automate inspection, and standardize grading systems that restore confidence in recycled pallets.
Today, our nationwide network, automated grading, and verified repair standards ensure that every recycled pallet, whether Premium A1, A, or B, performs as expected, wherever it’s used. Each one reflects decades of engineering insight, careful craftsmanship, and a commitment to serve customers with integrity.
It’s more than a recycled pallet; it’s a partnership built on trust, precision, and stewardship, helping customers move products safely, efficiently, and responsibly.
For over 35 years, Millwood has provided our customers with recycled pallets solutions. Long before it became an industry trend, we were working to set standards that were good for the planet and for our customers supply chain neeeds.
Originally standardized by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA).
Variations across recyclers led to inconsistent quality.
Millwood brings reliability back through clear, measurable grading and automated repair systems.
The 48×40 pallet remains the backbone of U.S. logistics. As one of the first companies to invest deeply in recycled pallet repair and grading, Millwood continues to serve customers who depend on reliable, repeatable performance across every shipment. Our goal isn’t to redefine the standard, it’s to make sure it still works for you, every time.
The 48×40 pallet has carried more freight than any other in North America.
Originally defined by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (now the Consumer Brands Association), it standardized pallet sizes for the food and consumer goods industries.
Over the years, those standards blurred. Recycling and repair introduced regional differences that left “GMA pallet” meaning anything from near-new to barely usable.
Millwood has been in the recycled pallet business since the 1980s, helping customers solve real supply chain problems long before recycling became an industry trend.
What began as a practical solution to reduce waste and control costs has grown into one of the nation’s most advanced repair and recycling networks.
For Millwood, recycling isn’t a reaction to the market; it’s part of who we are, born out of our commitment to help customers move products safely, efficiently, and responsibly.
Millwood’s grading process restores that original purpose: one reliable, measurable, national standard for 48×40 recycled pallets.
Condition: Nearly new, little/no repairs. No mending plates or companion stringers.
Common use case: Highest quality pallets, ideal for retail-facing or food shipments where appearance and durability matter.
Condition: Clean pallet, may have mending plates, no companion stringers.
Common use case: Balanced durability and cost. Great for general warehouse and shipping use.
Condition: Repaired with companion stringers/plugs. Multiple repairs common.
Common use case: Most economical option, best for heavy industrial use or one-way shipments where appearance is less critical.
Grade/Details | Condition | Stringer | Deckboard | Appearance | Squareness | Load Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GMA 1A | Lightly used,
no repairs | All solid
stringers | ≥ 9/1″
deckboards | Bright / clean | – | ~2,500-
4,600 lbs |
Premium A1 | Nearly new; verified no repairs ✓ | Solid only; machine-checked tolerances ✓ | ≥ 9⁄16″ deckboards; ≤ 3½″ gaps ✓ | ≥ 60 % bright; no tar or
gaps | ≤ 1″ out of square ✓ | Verified load rating by inspection ✓ |
GMA 1 | Clean, minor repairs | May include mending plates | 7 top / 5 bottom | Mixed bright & gray | – | ~2,500-
4,600 lbs |
Grade A | Clean; minor mending plates ✓ | Solid or plated; no companion stringers ✓ | ≤ 3½″ gaps; consistent alignment ✓ | Clean; no heavy staining ✓ | ≤ 1″ out of square ✓ | Verified rating by inspection ✓ |
GMA 2 | Repaired, multiple uses | Companion stringers common | Variable patterns | Mixed / weathered | – | Variable by repair quality |
Grade B | Repaired with companion stringers or plugs ✓ | Solid or repaired; plugs > 1¼″ thick ✓ | ≤ 4″ gaps; industrial tolerance ✓ | Mixed color; cosmetic wear acceptable ✓ | ≤ 1″ out of square ✓ | Verified for one-way industrial use ✓ |
Millwood’s verified grading system aligns with the original GMA categories, preserving the standard while introducing the precision and repeatability today’s industries require. Each grade is defined by measurable specifications, verified through automated inspection, and maintained consistently across our nationwide network. By blending decades of repair experience with modern engineering and data validation, Millwood ensures that the trusted 48×40 standard continues to serve every supply chain with confidence.
The term “GMA pallet” refers to the 48×40 inch standard developed by the Grocery Manufacturers Association for consistent shipping and storage across industries.
Over time, the term “GMA pallet” became shorthand for a wide range of 48×40 pallets, new, used, or recycled, with varying quality levels. Millwood preserves that legacy by defining clear, measurable recycled grades (Premium A1, Grade A, and Grade B) that reflect the original intent of consistency and interchangeability. Each is verified through inspection and testing so that the trusted 48×40 format continues to perform reliably in modern supply chains.
A standard GMA-style pallet measures 48 inches long by 40 inches wide with four way forklift entry.
This footprint allows efficient stacking and racking while maximizing trailer space. Millwood maintains these core dimensions across every grade, ensuring interchangeability and consistent performance nationwide. Typical deckboards range from ⅜″ to ⅝″ thick, spaced ≤ 3½″ apart for balanced load support. All Millwood pallets are inspected for squareness (≤ 1″ tolerance) and verified for load capacities between 2,500 and 4,600 lbs, depending on grade and use case.
Millwood’s three recycled grades correspond to the original GMA 1A, 1, and 2 categories but with modern verification.
Premium A1 pallets have no repairs and appear nearly new. Grade A pallets may include minor mending plates but no companion stringers. Grade B pallets include companion stringers or plugs for economical strength. Each grade is inspected, documented, and consistent across Millwood’s network so customers can choose the right balance of cost, appearance, and durability for their operation.
Every Millwood recycled pallet passes through automated grading and repair lines equipped with sensors, scanners, and trained technicians.
Dimensional checks confirm stringer integrity, deckboard spacing, and squareness. Structural performance is verified through compression and deflection testing in Millwood’s Packaging Science Lab. Each facility follows national repair and grading standards, so a Premium A1 in South Carolina matches one in Oregon. This process ensures predictable load performance and safer handling for every shipment.
Yes, when properly graded and repaired, recycled pallets perform comparably to new pallets in most applications.
Millwood verifies each pallet’s load capacity and stiffness using engineering models and in house testing. The result is a recycled pallet that meets or exceeds the handling and stacking requirements for its grade. Premium A1 and Grade A pallets are commonly reused in “closed loop” or automated systems, while Grade B pallets provide dependable performance for heavy or one way shipments, all with measurable environmental savings.
Yes. Millwood supplies heat treated and ISPM-15-compliant 48×40 recycled pallets for export use.
Through our nationwide network, pallets are treated and stamped in accordance with international standards and verified before shipment. Even if a local facility does not operate a heat-treat chamber, Millwood can deliver compliant, export ready pallets directly from certified locations. Customers receive documentation and traceability for every treated load, ensuring customs compliance and hassle-free international shipping.
Millwood’s grading and repair standards are unified nationwide under one documented process.
All facilities follow the same definitions for Premium A1, Grade A, and Grade B, supported by digital quality tracking, random audits, and data-driven reporting. Automated sorting lines and standardized training eliminate subjective grading differences between regions. Whether pallets are supplied from Ohio, Texas, or Oregon, customers receive the same specifications and quality, backed by Millwood’s SURE framework for study, engineering, verification, and scalable value.
Recycled pallets reduce landfill waste, conserve lumber, and lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to new pallet manufacturing.
By extending pallet life through repair and reuse, Millwood helps customers meet ESG and corporate sustainability goals. Our nationwide recycling programs track reclaimed lumber, carbon reduction, and reuse cycles so customers can quantify their environmental impact. Choosing recycled pallets isn’t just cost effective, it’s a practical way to support responsible resource management and circular supply-chain practices.
Start by identifying your product weight, handling method, and number of reuse cycles expected.
Millwood engineers help customers match the correct grade and configuration to each use case, considering factors such as automation, humidity, and load stability. Through the Millwood SURE process, we study your operation, engineer a verified solution, and review performance data before scaling. That ensures your pallet program delivers reliability, safety, and measurable long-term value.
You can request a quote directly through our website or by scanning the QR code in this guide.
A Millwood representative will respond within one business day to review your specifications, grade needs, and delivery locations. We can also schedule an on site or virtual assessment to evaluate your current pallet mix, identify consolidation opportunities, and recommend the most efficient, sustainable path forward. Millwood’s team works alongside you to simplify purchasing and strengthen your supply chain from end to end.
