Plastic Pallet Breakthrough: Rehrig Pacific Announces Final UL Approval Received for Five New Flame-Retardant Pallets

In a major breakthrough, and in a move that addresses one of the material handling industry's leading concerns, Rehrig Pacific announces the launching of a family of five UL listed flame retardant plastic pallets. The new product line became available as of January 25, 2002.

According to Trent Overholt, Rehrig Senior Manager of New Product Development in Los Angeles, "A simultaneous launch of this many UL listed pallets is unprecedented. The UL 2335 Classification is given to products with a proven fire safety factor at parity with, or better than, wooden pallets.

Specifically, the NFPA 13 standard recognizes both UL 2335 classified plastic pallets and FM 4995 approved plastic pallets as being equivalent or better than wood. As a result, Rehrig's UL Classified plastic pallets can be introduced into any warehouse that uses wooden pallets without any increased fire risk. Any company can now seamlessly switch to the use of plastic pallets since the new FR pallets are offered in five different sizes satisfying most customers' needs including the GMA 40" x 48" pallet. The complete list includes the following sizes; 36" x 48", 37" x 37", 37" x 43", 40" x 48", and 95cm x 105cm."

UL Senior Account Executive-Fire Protection, Kevin Faltin commented, "The UL Mark, the American mark of safety, is the most accepted, trusted and recognized safety certification mark in the United States. By obtaining UL authorization to apply the Classification Mark to a particular pallet, Rehrig Pacific has demonstrated a concern for fire safety and the ability to produce a pallet in accordance with UL 2335."

Overholt points out that "The sprinkler designs of some warehouses are not adequate for certain types of plastic pallets. In the past, when a customer wanted to convert to plastic pallets, there were only two very expensive ways to address the fire issue. First, you could upgrade your sprinkler system to NFPA 13 standards, or second, you could comply with their inefficient handling and storage practices. Now people have a third option. They can buy plastic pallets that are UL listed for equivalency to wood and gain all of the benefits of plastic pallets. Moreover, Rehrig FR pallets are significantly less expensive than other products currently available on the market." Overholt added, "Rehrig is serious about compliance with NFPA 13 requirements, and now any company can begin to convert to FR plastic pallets with confidence."

Rehrig Pacific plastic pallets also feature the added benefits over wood of cleanliness, weight advantage, recyclability, and superior strength, as well as, enhanced ergonomics. Additional safety benefits also include the elimination of such hazards as loose metal fasteners, splinters, and other negative aspects associated with wooden pallets. Overholt added, "Our plastic pallets are dimensionally precise and repeatedly flow easily through automated handling systems and thus add to the overall safety and efficiency of most operations. It's truly a winning combination of features, benefits, and cost-effectiveness."

With a history stretching back to 1913, the Los Angeles-headquartered Rehrig Pacific Company is today the largest manufacturer of plastic crates and pallets for industry designed for handling, storing, transporting, and merchandising products for agriculture, bakery, beverage, dairy and most general material handling applications, as well. Rehrig Pacific has eight factory and sales office locations within the United States, overseas sales offices in Mexico, Brazil, and Hong Kong, and licensees worldwide.

For technical and fire code compliance information contact:

Trent Overholt

Senior Manager of New Product Development
Rehrig Pacific Company
4010 East 26th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90023
voice: (323) 262-5145, ext. 154
fax: (323) 269-8506

For sales and product information contact:
Susan Planche
Sales Coordinator
Rehrig Pacific Company
1000 Raco Court
Lawrenceville, GA 30045
voice: (770) 339-9888, ext. 104
toll free: (800) 546-4993
fax: (323) 339-4840

email: info@rehrigpacific.com
web: www.rehrigpacific.com

Rehrig Pacific Company, 4010 E. 26th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90023. Tel: 323-262-5145; Fax: 323-269-8506.