Block Pallets

Block pallets offer true four-way entry, improving handling speed and worker safety while supporting heavier loads. Their nine solid wood blocks provide durability and stability that outperform traditional stringer pallets in high-volume supply chains.

Block pallets outperform stringer pallets by allowing forklifts and pallet jacks to access from all four sides, reducing downtime in busy distribution environments. The block design supports heavier, uneven loads and increases stability during transport. For industries handling high-throughput operations, wood block pallets ensure greater efficiency, less damage and longer service life. Millwood also provides custom 4 way pallet solutions engineered to match unique weight, racking and automation requirements, helping customers balance performance with cost savings while protecting their products and workforce.

Yes. Wood block pallets are highly automation-friendly, ensuring smooth performance on conveyors, in racking systems and with automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS). Their consistent design minimizes disruptions and downtime in high-speed operations.

Automation is increasingly central to modern warehousing, and wood block pallets are designed to integrate seamlessly with those systems. Because they are engineered with uniform block spacing, they provide predictable interactions with conveyors, robotics and automated pallet movers. This makes them a preferred choice for operations investing in warehouse automation or high-volume throughput. By choosing durable block pallets, businesses can reduce costly slowdowns, prevent misfeeds and protect both workers and equipment while streamlining their overall supply chain.

Industries with heavy loads, high-volume distribution or automation rely on block pallets. These include food & beverage, building materials, manufacturing, retail replenishment and international shipping where durable 4 way pallets support safe, efficient handling.

Wood block pallets serve a wide range of industries because of their strength and versatility. Food and beverage distributors depend on their consistency for large shipments, while building materials suppliers use them to stabilize heavy, bulky loads. Manufacturers often require automation-friendly 4 way pallets that move smoothly across conveyors and racking. Retailers benefit from their efficiency in restocking, and exporters choose them for international shipments where strength and ISPM-15 compliance are critical. Millwood offers both standard and custom block pallets designed to fit these diverse industry applications with optimized performance and cost control.

Absolutely. Block pallets are reusable and recyclable. Millwood provides new, hybrid and recycled wood block pallets that can be repaired, reused multiple times and eventually recycled through our sustainable pallet recovery programs.

Sustainability is a priority for today’s supply chains, and block pallets provide a proven path toward greener operations. Millwood offers options built from new lumber, recycled materials or hybrid designs to balance durability with eco-responsibility. Pallets can be repaired and reused across multiple trips, extending their lifecycle and reducing costs. At end-of-life, they can be fully recycled, keeping material out of landfills. Through Millwood’s pallet recycling and recovery programs, companies meet their corporate sustainability goals while maintaining reliable pallet performance. This makes block pallets a long-term, environmentally conscious investment.

Stringer pallets are cost-effective and widely available, while block pallets provide four-way entry and greater durability. The right choice depends on your load weight, automation needs, handling environment and long-term cost considerations.

Choosing between stringer and block pallets depends on your supply chain’s priorities. Stringer pallets, the most common 48×40 design, are generally more affordable and work well for lighter to moderate loads. However, they limit forklift entry to two sides unless notched. Block pallets, by contrast, offer true four-way entry, making them ideal for high-throughput environments, automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) and heavy or uneven loads. While block pallets often cost more upfront, they provide longer service life, improved handling efficiency and safer performance in demanding applications. Millwood’s engineers use the Pallet Design System (PDS) to help customers evaluate both options and select the most cost-effective fit.