Quick answer: Woolworths, Nestlé, Blackmores and ResMed operate in different industries — supermarkets, food, health supplements and medical devices — but they made the same call on plastic pallets for the same underlying reasons: hygiene, automation compatibility, and lower lifecycle cost. Once a supply chain gets serious about contamination control, automated handling and total cost of ownership, timber pallets stop making sense. All four are named customers of Australian manufacturer Ozkor.
This article explains the pattern behind the switch and what these operators saw that others often miss.
What do these four companies have in common?
On the surface, very little. Woolworths runs supermarkets. Nestlé runs a global food and beverage supply chain. Blackmores makes health supplements. ResMed makes medical devices. Different products, different regulations, different customers.
They made the same decision about something most people never think about: the pallet under the load. That is the point worth noticing. When operators this large and this scrutinised converge on the same infrastructure choice, the reason is usually structural.
Why did each company move to plastic pallets?
Woolworths — manual handling and shop-floor efficiency. Working with Ozkor, Woolworths developed a 2/3 plastic pallet sized for supermarket aisles, so stock could be rolled directly onto the shop floor instead of being broken down and re-handled in the backroom. This reportedly removed more than 3.3 billion kilograms of manual lifting across its stores.
Nestlé — consistency at global scale. Across thousands of SKUs and multiple facilities, small inefficiencies multiply. Non-porous, dimensionally consistent plastic pallets support smoother conveyor flow and fewer stoppages in automated systems.
Blackmores — hygiene and automation. Plastic pallets can be steam-cleaned and reused without absorbing moisture, and their uniform dimensions integrate cleanly with automated handling lines. Plastic export pallets also reduced the administrative cost of using treated timber for export.
ResMed — sterile, precise logistics. As a medical device manufacturer, ResMed needs hygiene and precision. Washable, non-porous, dimensionally accurate plastic pallets suit sterile operations and automated distribution.
The three reasons behind every switch
Different industries, but the same three drivers:
| Driver | What it means | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Hygiene | Non-porous, washable, no moisture absorption or splinters | Food, pharma, medical, supplements |
| Automation | Uniform dimensions move cleanly through conveyors and AS/RS | High-throughput DCs and warehouses |
| Lifecycle cost | Longer life and fewer failures lower cost per trip | Every repeat-use operation |
AS/RS means automated storage and retrieval systems. ISPM-15 is the standard requiring timber export packaging to be heat-treated or fumigated; plastic pallets are exempt.
Why does the pallet matter more than people expect?
In regulated and automated supply chains, a pallet is not neutral packaging. It is part of the quality system and part of the automation system. A porous pallet is a hygiene risk. A dimensionally inconsistent pallet is a downtime risk. A pallet that fails under load is a damage and safety risk. For high-care operators, controlling those risks can outweigh the difference in purchase price.
Frequently asked questions
Which major brands use plastic pallets in Australia?
Ozkor’s named customers include Woolworths, Nestlé, Blackmores, DHL Supply Chain, Capral, ResMed and Teys, spanning retail, food, supplements, logistics, building materials and medical devices.
Why do food and pharma companies prefer plastic pallets?
Because plastic is non-porous, washable and consistent, it supports contamination control and integrates with automation — both critical in food, pharmaceutical and medical supply chains.
Are Ozkor pallets made in Australia?
Yes. Ozkor manufactures its plastic pallets and bulk bins in Australia and holds ISO 9001 certification.