Why More Operations Are Asking About Block Pallets

Across the industry, more operations are asking a simple question: “Should we be running block pallets?” From high-throughput warehouses to export programs and automated material handling systems, block pallets are showing up in more conversations and more RFPs.

For Edwards, this is not just a trend, it is a practical response to how customers are moving products today. Block pallets can offer advantages in handling, load support, and system compatibility when they’re matched to the right application, and Edwards is structured to support that demand with consistent, high-quality production.

What Makes a Block Pallet Different?

At a glance, the difference between a block pallet and a stringer pallet comes down to how the pallet is built and how it is handled.

• 4‑way entry
  Block pallets are typically designed for 4‑way entry, allowing forklifts and pallet jacks to approach from all sides. This can make handling more flexible in tight warehouses and busy docks.
• Load distribution
  The block construction helps support weight across the pallet footprint, which can be important for heavier loads and certain racking or automation scenarios.
• System compatibility
  Many automated systems, high-bay warehouses, and export programs are engineered with block pallet footprints and specs in mind, making the choice of pallet a critical part of the overall system design.

This does not mean block pallets are the right answer in every situation, but they are an increasingly important option.

Where Block Pallets Make the Most Sense

Block pallets tend to create the most value in specific environments where their design can be fully leveraged:

• High-throughput warehouses and distribution centers
  Where pallets are moved frequently and must be handled efficiently from multiple sides.
• Automation-heavy operations
  Facilities using conveyor systems, automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), or robotics often rely on consistent pallet specs, including block designs, to keep equipment running smoothly.
• Export programs
  Export shipments often call for consistent, high-spec pallets that meet specific handling or regulatory requirements.
• Heavier or more sensitive loads
  Certain loads benefit from the stability and support offered by the block configuration.

Block pallets are not a replacement for every stringer pallet in the yard, but they are a critical part of the mix for many modern operations.

How Edwards Supports Block Pallet Demand

Edwards has invested in equipment and processes to support consistent, scalable block pallet production as part of its broader pallet manufacturing capabilities. That means:

• Consistency at scale
  Production is set up to deliver repeatable quality across runs, so customers get the same spec and performance every time.
• Standard and application-specific designs
  Edwards can support both common block pallet configurations and designs tailored to specific load, handling, or system requirements.
• Integration with the rest of the Edwards network
  Block pallet production sits inside a vertically integrated system of logs, lumber, components, pallets, and transportation, so customers benefit from reliable supply, better material control, and coordinated delivery.

The goal is not just to “make block pallets,” but to provide reliable, well-built block pallets that show up when and where they are needed.

When Stringer Pallets Still Make Sense

Block pallets are not automatically “better” than stringer pallets, they are simply better suited to some applications. Many operations still perform best with well-designed stringer pallets that match:

• Existing handling equipment
• Rack and storage configurations
• Load types and weights
• Budget and reuse expectations

In many cases, the right answer is a mix of stringer and block pallets across different applications, lanes, or customers, all supported by a consistent supplier like Edwards. 

Choosing the Right Pallet for Your Operation

The most important question is not “block or stringer?” but “what does your operation need?”

That includes:

• The type of product you’re moving
• How pallets are lifted, stored, and transported
• Whether automation, export, or specific regulatory requirements are in play
• How often pallets will cycle and in what conditions

Edwards works with customers to understand the full picture of load, handling, storage, system requirements and then recommends the right pallet solution, whether that is stringer, block or a combination.

Talk with Our Pallet Team

If you are considering block pallets for the first time, or thinking about shifting more volume from stringer to block, our team is here to help you evaluate the options. We can walk through your operation, your current challenges, and your future plans, and recommend a pallet strategy that fits the way you work today, with room to grow.