Equipment and Storage
Automated machine
The most recent investment has been the installation of a second Viking Champion, 1-man operated, 2-way entry pallet machine.
These fully automated machines will chamfer corners, to produce pallets suitable for the shrinkwrap process, and brand the timber before robotically stacking the finished product.
With increased productivity and reduced manual handling, throughput is 500 pallets per day equal to one artic lorry load.
These fully automated machines will chamfer corners, to produce pallets suitable for the shrinkwrap process
Chipping machine
With care of the environment very much in mind, the installation of our chipping machine to process off cuts is providing a greener solution to what previously was a difficult problem.
Not only does the machine recycle 100% of our own timber waste, but it also provides a service to customers for the disposal of old pallets and old timber fencing.
The resultant wood fibre chips are screened and graded for re-use: the finer chips for use in children’s play areas; the larger grade for paths and walkways; some providing the fuel for our heat-treatment kiln power plant; whilst the remainder is sold on for the manufacture of chipboard. Additionally, Somerlap is actively participating in the development of new markets for recycled wood.
The resultant wood fibre chips are screened and graded for re-use: the finer chips for use in children’s play areas.
Storage facility
The 5-acre Mark site affords plenty of storage for pallets intended for use with "dry" or sensitive products.
Expansion has included a 2400m2 undercover timber and pallet area that further improves hygiene and helps to ensure there is no subsequent moisture transfer from pallet to goods - an important consideration in industries such as the food and packaging sectors.
Pallet manufacture accounts for over 75% of Somerlap turnover and our comprehensive service guarantees that only best quality timber is used with stringent quality control procedures ensuring no falling off in quality or specification.
Currently, production is running at some 12-15,000 pallets per week putting Somerlap amongst the top dozen producers in the country. However, despite our ability to meet the demands of large users, small orders are welcome and our versatile production facilities allow the same attention to detail as on larger orders.
Kiln
Fired by wood chip from our chipping machine, the kiln was installed in response to ISPM15 regulations governing the treatment requirement for pallets intended for export to certain countries, that states that all pallets will need to be either heat-treated or fumigated and stamped in order to comply. We will be pleased to supply further information on the countries that already have, or intend to adopt, these regulations on request.
Producing drier, lighter pallets with little or no moisture, kiln-dried pallets eliminate contamination problems ensuring that no bugs or infestations are introduced. The transportation of food and other sensitive products also benefit from their use.
Importantly, when heat-treated pallets are repaired, we will only guarantee them as retaining ISPM15 classification where they have also been reprocessed in our heat treatment kiln. This is to ensure that replacement timber is free from contamination.