This study was performed in order to acquire key market information and information on raw material usage for the wood pallet and container industry in 2016. Historical trends in the wood pallet market were also analyzed between 1991-2016 using the results of previous Virginia Tech and U.S. Forest Service pallet surveys. Paper mail questionnaires and online questionnaires were sent to 2,520 companies that manufactured or wholesaled wood pallets and crates in the United States to obtain these data. The wooden pallet and container industry produced an estimated 508 million new wood pallets in 2016, which is a 22% increase since 2011. Approximately 35% of this was 48” x 40” pallets, which continues to be the dominant standardized pallet size. Approximately 39% of new wood pallets were custom sizes which is a significant decrease from the 60% share found in 2011. Stringer class pallets remained the dominant pallet class with 76% share while block pallets and skids only accounted for 21% and 3% of the market, respectively. Approximately, 38% of these new wood pallets were heat treated. Furthermore, an estimated 341 million pallets were recovered and sold as recycled/repaired or remanufactured pallets in 2016. The most common size of the recycled or remanufactured pallets was 48” x 40”, accounting for 69% of the recycled market. Ninety-one percent of recycled or remanufactured pallets were stringer class pallets while block class pallets made up the remaining 9%. Wood byproduct usage has changed since 2011. The conversion of broken pallets and wood waste to landscape mulch (37.5%) and animal bedding (4.2%) have declined with a proportional increase in other uses (28.3%). Biofuel conversion has remained steady since 2006 at 30%. / Master of Science / This study was performed in order to acquire key market information and information on raw material usage for the wood pallet and container industry in 2016. Historical trends in the wood pallet market were also analyzed between 1991-2016 using the results of previous Virginia Tech and U.S. Forest Service pallet surveys. Paper mail questionnaires and online questionnaires were sent to 2,520 companies that manufactured or wholesaled wood pallets and crates in the United States to obtain this data. As a whole, the wooden pallet and container industry has shown growth. The industry produced an estimated 508 million new wood pallets in 2016, which is a 22% increase since 2011. Furthermore, an estimated 341 million pallets were recovered and sold as recycled/repaired or remanufactured pallets in 2016. This is a small increase in the recycled/repaired or remanufactured pallet market. Wood byproduct usage has changed since 2011. The conversion of broken pallets and wood waste to landscape mulch (37.5%) and animal bedding (4.2%) have declined with a proportional increase in other uses (28.3%). Biofuel conversion has remained steady at 30%.

Författare Henrik Nordh och Robin Klasson. Forskningsfrågor Fråga 1: Vilka aspekter för införande av plastpall som lastbärare mellan Volkswagen Parts Logistics och dess återförsäljare behövs tas hänsyn till vid lagring, distribution och retur av deras reservdelar? Fråga 2: Vilka blir de ekonomiska påföljderna vid lagring, distribution och retur av att införa plastpall som lastbärare för reservdelar hos Volkswagen Parts Logistics? Syfte Syftet med studie är att utveckla ett ramverk för införande av plastpall som lastbärare för reservdelar till eftermarknaden i bilindustrin. Metod Utförd studie genomfördes som en fallstudie, den empiri som samlades in för att användas i studie utfördes genom att respondenter valdes utifrån bekvämlighetsurval och snöbollsurval. Respondenter deltog i semi- och ostrukturerade intervjuer och författare genomförde även observationer som deltagare. Slutsats Det finns ett antal aspekter och påföljder som Volkswagen Parts Logistics behöver ta hänsyn till vid plastpalls införande: (1) Retursystem (2) Tredjepartsleverantör (3) Avtal (4) Materialrelaterade (5) Prestationsmått (6) Transaktions- och Säkerhetslager (7) Miljö och Hållbarhet (8) Kalkylering. De ekonomiska påföljderna av att införa plastpall är till stor del beroende av vilken grad som RFID-teknik implementeras. Med nuvarande situation hos VPL, det vill säga sämsta möjliga förutsättningar och endast träpall byts ut mot plastpall utan RFID, uppnås en kostnadsbesparing på i snitt 620 000 kronor per år vid normalt utfall av känslighetsanalys och kräver en grundinvestering på 3 000 000 kronor med break-even tid 6–7 år. Motsvarande vid beräkningar av realistiska förutsättningar uppnås en snittbesparing på 1 200 000 kronor per år utan RFID med break-even tid på 3–4 år med normalt utfall i känslighetsanalys och en grundinvestering på 2 250 000 kronor. Samma förutsättningar med RFID ger 575 000 kronor i snittbesparing per år med normalt utfall i känslighetsanalys, uppskattat till break-even tid över 8 år med en grundinvestering på 7 250 000 kronor. / Authors Henrik Nordh and Robin Klasson. Research Questions Question 1: Which aspects are to be considered with implementation of plastic pallets as load carriers between Volkswagen Parts Logistics and its resellers regarding stocking, distribution and return of their spare parts? Question 2: What are the economic impacts regarding stocking, distribution and return of implementing plastic pallets as load carriers for spare parts at Volkswagen Parts Logistics? Purpose The purpose of the study is to develop a framework for implementing plastic pallets as load carriers for spare parts in the aftermarket of the automotive industry. Method The study was performed as a case study, the information to be used in the conducted study was gathered through a number of respondents who were chosen from a comfort- and snowball selection. The respondents participated in semi- and unstructured interviews and the authors also conducted observations as participants. Conclusion There are a number of aspects and impacts for Volkswagen Parts Logistics to consider with implementing plastic pallets. (1) Return system (2) Third party logistics provider (3) Agreement (4) Material related (5) Performance measure (6) Transaction- and Safety stock (7) Environment and sustainability (8) Calculation. The economic impacts of implementing plastic pallets are in great extent depending of what degree of RFID- technology is to be used. If current situation at VPL exists, with the worst situation possible and only wooden pallets are to be substituted without RFID- technology, savings can be made up to 620 000 kronor on average per year at normal results in the sensitivity analysis, demanding an investment of 3 000 000 kronor and 6– 7-year breakeven time. Corresponding calculations of realistic result, savings can be made on average 1 200 000 kronor a year without RFID and break-even time of 3–4 years with normal sensitivity analysis and an investment of 2 250 000 kronor. The same conditions with RFID results in average 575 000 kronor in savings a year with the normal sensitivity analysis, break-even time over 8 years and an investment of 7 250 000 kronor.