Just about every sector uses pallets, which, over the years, have also survived every kind of innovation. Whether wood or plastic, a warehouse is incomplete without these goods carriers. At Kloek Pallets in the Netherlands, they know the importance of pallets, which is why founder Wout Kloek decided to specialize in it. "In the current landscape, it's increasingly important to be a reliable partner for your customers," he begins.
In the early years, Wout used a tractor and agricultural truck to transport pallets from farm to farm, but his business has since grown into one of the larger private pallet companies of its size in the Netherlands. Kloek Pallets sits on some four hectares and supplies new and used pallets to its clients, from fruit and vegetable companies to chemical plants and ornamental growers across the Benelux.
"Alongside trading, we also build pallets. We have three fully automatic production lines for new pallets and two sorting lines for the used ones. We fix broken pallets for our customers too. We sell about 65% new and 35% used."
According to Wout, being a dealer as well as a manufacturer is what makes his company distinctive. "Certification and reliability are becoming increasingly important for companies. Wooden packaging exported overseas must meet ISPM-15 requirements. When wood bears that mark, it can be shipped worldwide. Certified companies can treat pallets, crates, and other materials with ISPM-15 in-house," he says.
"We've had several drying/treatment rooms since 2005 and are ISPM-15 certified. That means we can heat-treat lumber, making it suitable for export to other continents. Many market traders who supply ISPM-15 pallets don't manufacture those. That can cause export issues. Having the drying rooms in-house means that won't ever be the case with our products."
In the pallet industry, the European Timber Regulation is very busy combatting illegal logging. "Despite its establishment and intensified monitoring and enforcement, the EU remains one of the largest global illegal timber trade markets," Kloek admits. "We, however, check everything thoroughly according to government regulations. We accept no pallet wood that's under EU sanctions. It's a critical, worrisome issue for us." The company is PEFC and SFC certified too.
Kloek Pallets wants to maintain its last ten years of steady growth and expand its fruit and vegetable client base. "All industries need wooden or plastic pallets, but in an ever-changing sector like fruit and vegetables, it's especially important to move quickly. We're committed to always being ready when the need arises. We can move quickly when customers need additional pallets or repairs. That's why clients return and, over the years, we've become more of an all-around service provider," Wout concludes.
For more information:
Wout Kloek
Kloek Pallets
26 Eckert Street
8263 CB, Kampen, NL
Tel: +31 (0) 383 320 756
Email: [email protected]
www.kloekpallets.nl