Case Study How a National Grocery Chain Protected $46K+ in Core Value with Transparent Pallet Retrieval
The Challenge: A Deal That Looked Good—on Paper
When a major grocery retailer received an RFP proposal from a pallet recycler offering a high per-pallet price, it seemed like a great deal—especially compared to their current provider.
But buried within the proposal were key omissions that ultimately cost them tens of thousands in lost value.
The recycler submitted a blended rate for GMA and odd-size pallets—a common approach—but once awarded the business, they began classifying over 30% of pallets as “scrap,” paying $0 for them. No visibility, no reporting, and no accountability.
The Hidden Risks in Pallet Programs
Too often, retailers evaluate pallet bids based on price alone. But the true cost of a pallet program goes far beyond the headline rate.
Here’s what happened:
- Odd-size pallets were misclassified as scrap
- Over 30% of the volume received zero credit
- Reporting lacked transparency and auditing
- Retail leadership had no visibility into these practices
The result? A misleading offer that reduced real returns and masked operational risk.
The Data: What They Were Paid vs. What They Could Have Earned
Lost Value: $46,000+
It’s not about what you’re paid per pallet—it’s about what you’re actually credited.
48forty’s Transparent Retrieval Process
At 48forty Solutions, transparency is at the core of our pallet retrieval model. We help customers protect every penny of value by delivering:
- Full Grading Transparency – GMA and odd-size pallets are all counted, graded, and credited
- Detailed, Site-Level Reporting – No blind spots. You see what we see
- Historical Benchmarking – Our programs are validated against past performance, not promises
- Clear Audit Trails – Every step documented for total accountability
Best Practices: How to Protect Your Pallet Value
Don’t let vague proposals cost you hidden losses. Use these best practices when evaluating your next pallet provider:
- Demand Full Grading Visibility
Ensure all pallet types—not just GMA—are credited fairly.
- Request Complete Reporting
Ask for itemized, auditable documentation of scrapped, paid, and graded pallets. - Analyze Total Program Economics
Don’t be fooled by high GMA pricing—check the total blended return.
- Benchmark Against Your Data
Use your historical scrap and grading metrics to flag inconsistencies.
- Prioritize Accountability
Work with providers who offer consistent, trackable performance—not just promises.
The Takeaway: Don’t Leave Value on the Dock
This national grocery retailer came close to accepting a program that would have silently drained core value from their operation. With 48forty, they gained:
- Transparent grading
- Full odd-size pallet crediting
- Over $46,000 in additional annual revenue
When it comes to pallet programs, what you don’t see can hurt your bottom line.
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Ready to uncover hidden value in your pallet returns? Connect with our team and see how transparent pallet management can boost your revenue and your confidence.