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November-December 2020

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PalletCentral • November-December 2020 39 accelerate this trend. This shopper behavior shift could dampen the anticipated growth of half and quarter-size pallets, as well as point-of-sale displays. Current and future consumer behavior shifts add a layer of uncertainty to optimal pallet selection in the food sector. Wood pallets, which can be easily customized to a specified size, as opposed to plastic pallets that require costly molds, provide much greater flexibility and a much quicker response to possible shifts in the wake of the pandemic. COVID-19 and Supply Chain Automation Another area of uncertainty is how the pandemic will influence the uptake of automation. A report from McKinsey suggests that in the short term, COVID-19 has negatively impacted capital investment. Several observers, however, feel that the pandemic will escalate interest in automated solutions. "Automation that shields workers from sickness while ensuring the delivery of critical goods and services could initially be welcomed by workers and the public at large," one expert observed recently. He said that companies that invest in automation are "likely to come out faster – and perhaps stronger – as the economy rebounds." Automation can affect pallet requirements. Typically, automation requires a quality-controlled and uniform pallet. Issues such as poor-quality or missing bottom boards, missing or damaged components, and excessive deflection can impact pallet performance in automated systems. If we do witness a rush to automation, pallets must be considered an element of the project design process. And after installation, a robust quality assurance program will help ensure that wood pallets will continue to perform at a high level. The pandemic has resulted in several un- certainties for supply chain participants, and changes may impact pallet selection. Luckily, the flexibility offered by wood pallets and the industry's professionalism will enable operators to keep pace with any shifts in customer demand as we transition into the future.

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