Do you produce block pallets in North America? Would you like a reliable supplier located in the United States with better performing blocks? If you fit that description, you need to talk to Litco International today to find out how its Engineered Extruded Wood™ blocks can help to solve labor, supply and performance problems.
Long known for its Inca Engineered Molded Wood™ pallets and packaging products, Litco is looking to take its expertise into the domestic and international wood block market. Right now, the company is talking with potential customers to ensure that it offers the right sizes for the North American market. Currently, Litco is looking to produce two sizes – a 3"x3" and a 3.5" x 3.5". If you need another size and want Litco technology to reduce splits and damaged blocks, call Litco today at 877-431-3308.
Page Clayton, Litco’s sales engineer commented, “We are offering a composite wood block that is going to be produced in the United States. Litco’s blocks will be produced with a higher density than other blocks on the market to provide better performance for a more secure pallet joint.” Clayton is a recent graduate from Virginia Tech with his master’s degree, and has years of experience testing various pallet designs at the Virginia Tech Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design.
Clayton suggested that the Litco engineered wood blocks will perform better than traditional solid softwood blocks. He explained, “The increased density of Litco’ s Engineered Extruded Wood™ block provides more impact resistance to the material. In addition, the denser material provides better fastener retention. This is because a fasteners’ flutes have more material to hold on to and prevent fastener withdrawal.”
By comparison, softwood blocks are typically made from the center of the softwood tree and tend to crack and shear, according to Clayton. He added, “Reorientation of the wood grain structure helps to reduce splitting block failures from fork tines, provide additional resistance to nail withdraw, and helps reduce cracking of blocks due to fastener placement and shrinkage stress.”
Litco blocks reduce labor costs and ensure quality and consistency, which further facilitates production in automated lines.
Gary Sharon, executive vice president for Litco, said, “The product will be ISPM-15 compliant and have no additional heat treatment costs. The Litco blocks will not cause damage to moisture sensitive products, and will not require extra treatment for mold.” According to Litco, the blocks will be dried to 7% moisture content at the time of manufacture. This means minimal swelling due to moisture and temperature changes.
When you want a sustainable option, Litco fits the need because its blocks are made from damaged logs, wood waste and other by-products. Being made in America, the shipping costs and environmental impacts are less compared to other wood composite blocks produced in Europe. Closer to customers also means that lead times are shorter.
The Litco blocks will be available starting in the fourth quarter of 2019. The company plans to sell blocks both domestically and to international markets. If you have a specific size or construction design you want, now is the time to contact Litco to ensure its plants are set up to accommodate you.
Why offer this product now? Sharon explained, “We believe that our blocks will enable pallet manufacturers to reduce costs by relieving the stresses of a very tight labor and lumber market. They will also enhance the performance and value of their solid wood pallets. We have 39 years of experience working with resins and wood fiber products. The block product line will blend perfectly within the existing Inca Engineered Molded Wood™ pallet and core plug plants. The infrastructure is currently in place to process the raw materials to produce the blocks without needing to build a new facility.”
Get in on the ground floor of this exciting opportunity. Better blocks produce better pallets. Call Litco today at 877-431-3308 or email Page Clayton at page@litco.com.
