Pallet Alliance
Pallet Alliance is a privately held strategic pallet management company, founded in 1995 and headquartered in Durham, NC, that designs, sources, and manages custom pallet and crate programs for enterprise customers across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico using a network of 3,500+ manufacturers and its patented IntelliPallet IoT tracking platform.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersCarrboro, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Pallet Alliance does
Pallet Alliance (legal name: The Pallet Alliance, also DBA TPAI) is a privately held strategic pallet management company founded in 1995 and headquartered in Durham, North Carolina. The company operates a national program that designs, sources, and manages custom pallet and crate programs for enterprise customers across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, supported by a curated network of 600+ vetted North American manufacturers and 3,000+ Latin American manufacturers. Its core service is Total Pallet Management — an end-to-end offering that bundles procurement, engineering, unit load design, quality testing, supplier coordination, and ongoing cost optimization — delivered through dedicated account managers and a free onsite audit entry point. Vertical focus is concentrated in Food & Beverage, Industrial Manufacturing, Building Products, and Consumer Goods, with named enterprise customers including USG, Sherwin-Williams, GlobalFresh Foods, and Apex Manufacturing.
The company's differentiated technology asset is IntelliPallet, a patented IoT-enabled smart pallet platform that integrates with CargoSense telematics, Semtech LoRa wireless, and Viaanix integration services to deliver real-time location tracking and environmental monitoring (temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, impact, light) at the individual pallet level. This is paired with custom ERP and WMS integration work (documented in the Sherwin-Williams case study) and a recently launched Mexican subsidiary, Pallet Alliance México, which extends the same managed service and IntelliPallet offering with NOM-016/NOM-144 compliance.
Revenue is generated through four streams: managed services for ongoing program management, hardware sales of new/recycled/plastic pallets and crates, subscription/technology fees tied to IntelliPallet deployments, and professional services for audits and engineering. Pricing is quote-based with multi-year enterprise contracts; no public pricing exists. The company is privately held by management, has no disclosed external funding, and reports 11-50 employees. Recognition includes the 2017 USG Diversity and Inclusion Supplier of the Year award, a 2017 Peerless Research Group top-ranking for custom national pallet programs, and 2025 NaVOBA Veteran-Owned Business certification.
Pallet Alliance firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Pallet Alliance
- Legal name
- The Pallet Alliance
- Website
- https://tpai.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Pallet Alliance is a privately held strategic pallet management company, founded in 1995 and headquartered in Durham, NC, that designs, sources, and manages custom pallet and crate programs for enterprise customers across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico using a network of 3,500+ manufacturers and its patented IntelliPallet IoT tracking platform.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Pallet Alliance industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Packaging & Pallet Management Services
- NAICS
- Wood Container and Pallet Manufacturing (32192), Packaging and Labeling Services (56191)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Durable Goods (5000), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Pallets (Wood, Plastic, Metal, Presswood) (IMALAFAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Pallets, Bins, Totes & Returnable Transport Packaging (RTP) (IMAHABAG), Pallet Tracking & Pool Management (Wood/Plastic/CHEP-style) (TLAEAMAB), Tertiary Packaging & Unitization (Palletizing, Slip-Sheeting, Strapping) (TLAIAGAC)
Keywords
Where Pallet Alliance is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Carrboro
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Pallet Alliance business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Strategic Pallet Management Services: Holistic pallet program management including procurement, design, sourcing, and ongoing optimization. Revenue generated through managed service contracts with enterprise customers requiring comprehensive pallet programs.
- Custom Pallet and Crate Sales: Sale of new manufactured pallets, recycled/remanufactured pallets, plastic pallets, crates, lumber, plywood, cut stock, dunnage, and related packaging materials. One-time and recurring purchase arrangements.
- IntelliPallet IoT Technology: IoT-enabled smart pallet technology providing real-time tracking and condition monitoring. Generates revenue through technology deployment and associated monitoring services.
- Consulting and Audit Services: Free onsite audits leading to paid implementation and ongoing program management. Includes testing, engineering expertise, and scientific analysis services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom quote-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Pallet Alliance product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Pallet Alliance is a strategic pallet management company that delivers end-to-end pallet program services—including procurement, custom design, sourcing from a vetted national manufacturer network, implementation, cost control, and ongoing supply chain optimization—anchored by its proprietary IntelliPallet™ IoT platform that provides real-time location and environmental monitoring at the individual pallet level. The company supplies new, recycled, and plastic pallets, custom crates, lumber, plywood/OSB, and dunnage to enterprise customers across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Its core value is replacing fragmented multi-supplier pallet sourcing with a single managed program supported by IoT visibility, engineering expertise, and continuous cost optimization.
Product overview
Pallet Alliance is a strategic pallet management company offering a portfolio of products and services organized around a core IoT-enabled smart pallet platform and traditional pallet supply offerings. The flagship technology is IntelliPallet™, the industry's first IoT-integrated smart pallet providing real-time location and environmental monitoring via CargoSense connectivity, paired with a Control Tower dashboard. Supporting the IntelliPallet platform, the company offers environmental monitoring modules (temperature, humidity, impact, light) and location tracking capabilities. The product portfolio also includes new manufactured pallets (customizable wood species, sizes, nail types), recycled/remanufactured pallets, plastic pallets, custom pallets, crates, lumber/cut stock/dunnage, plywood/OSB, and nails. Services include Total Pallet Management (end-to-end procurement, logistics, and optimization with 3,500+ partners), Free Onsite Audit, Pallet Program Strategy and Design, Implementation, ongoing Program Management, Supply Chain Visibility, and Unit Load Design. The company operates across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico serving Food & Beverage, Industrial Manufacturing, Building Products, and Consumer Goods industries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- IntelliPallet™: The industry's first IoT-integrated smart pallet providing comprehensive location and environmental data (temperature, humidity, impact/motion, light) at the individual pallet level, integrated with CargoSense Control Tower dashboard for real-time tracking across truck, rail, and ocean freight.
Products and services
- IntelliPallet™ IoT Smart Pallet Platform The industry's first IoT-integrated smart pallet providing comprehensive environmental and location data for individual pallets via patented technology. Connects to the CargoSense Control Tower dashboard for real-time tracking across truck, rail, and ocean freight shipments with sensors for temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, impact/motion, and light. Designed for enterprise customers across Food & Beverage, Industrial Manufacturing, Building Products, and Consumer Goods needing supply chain visibility.
- New Manufactured Pallets Customizable new wooden pallets available in all sizes with specifications including wood species, cuts, dimensions, nail types, 2-way or 4-way entry, and HT or domestic treatment options. Designed and delivered for specific product, packaging, and material handling system requirements of enterprise customers.
- Recycled and Remanufactured Pallets Diverse recycled pallet options including recovered pallets, combo pallets (mixture of new and recycled lumber), and remanufactured pallets made entirely from recycled materials. Offered as sustainable, cost-effective alternatives within managed pallet programs for enterprise customers with sustainability goals.
- Plastic Pallets Durable plastic pallets ideal for non-absorbent, mold-free, export-ready applications requiring extreme dimensional stability, closed-loop operations, or easy cleaning. Suitable for food-grade, pharmaceutical, and hygienic supply chain environments.
- Custom Pallets Pallets engineered to exact specifications for optimal performance and cost efficiency. Accommodates products with unusual dimensions, higher weight requirements, or federal regulatory transport requirements for enterprise customers.
- Custom Crates Custom wooden crates providing complete protection for unit loads requiring enhanced containment. Designed to deliver exact protection specifications for products needing additional structural support or specialized handling requirements.
- Lumber, Cut Stock, and Dunnage Raw materials including cut stock, dunnage, and lumber available in various cuts and wood species for manufacturing and packaging applications.
- Plywood and OSB Standard and custom-size plywood in various thicknesses with expert recommendations for optimal application. Oriented Strand Board (OSB) also available.
- Total Pallet Management End-to-end pallet program management integrating procurement, logistics, and optimization solutions. Connects sourcing, suppliers, and inventory through a coordinated system with 3,500+ manufacturing partners across North America, for enterprise customers with complex multi-site pallet needs.
- Free Onsite Audit Complimentary on-site assessment of existing pallet programs covering specifications, costs, damage rates, and supplier relationships. Part of Pallet Alliance's six-step pallet management process and serves as the entry point to implementation services.
- Pallet Program Strategy, Design, and Implementation Custom comprehensive pallet program development considering sourcing, design, usage, and operational requirements to increase efficiency and lower costs across organizations. Includes rigorous testing and deployment with on-site sampling at all locations, transitioning to new systems without operational disruption.
- Unit Load Design Engineering Expert pallet design engineering optimizing unit loads to reduce product damage and handling costs. Considers material characteristics, shipping routes, handling quantities, duration, environment, and storage requirements.
- Supply Chain Visibility Service Real-time tracking via IntelliPallet IoT technology and intelligent monitoring providing visibility into pallet location, condition, and in-transit risk. Includes advanced reporting and cost intelligence aligned with industry KPIs for enterprise customers.
Quantifiable outcome
- 40% cost savings on pallet costs while meeting sustainability goals
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Pallet Alliance
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Pallet Alliance technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
AI capability3 records
Feature4 records
Pallet Alliance partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and strategic.
- SemtechmajorCollaboration involves Semtech's leading LoRa devices and IoT integration services to extend Pallet Alliance's pallet tracking platform with lower cost, longer range data transmission with low power consumption for indoor/outdoor environments.
- ViaanixmajorIoT integration services provider supporting the extension of Pallet Alliance's IntelliPallet tracking platform with Semtech's LoRa devices.
- CargoSensecoreCargoSense is the leading telematics provider for IntelliPallet IoT connectivity. Their Control Tower dashboard provides customizable data for efficient and secure shipment tracking, including geo-fenced area entry/exit, in-transit location, stationary time, and hub arrival/departure monitoring.
- CalAmpcoreCalAmp partnered with Pallet Alliance to provide the industry's first IoT-enabled pallet system for greater supply chain and logistics visibility. Gemini Pallet Alliance offers multi-site manufacturers IntelliPallet, the first turnkey, IoT-enabled platform for integrated pallet management and supply chain services.
- Virginia Tech Center for Packaging and Unit Load DesignstrategicPallet Alliance has endowed the Tyson Steffens Memorial Scholarship at Virginia Tech supporting students in Packaging Systems and Design or Sustainable Biomaterials. The Center is a global leader in packaging and unit load research, and company co-founder Tyson Steffens was a principal associated with the center.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Pallet Alliance competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- CHEP: World's largest pallet pooling company, operating a global network of reusable pallets and containers. Directly comparable as an enterprise pallet management and pooling provider competing for the same multi-site customer contracts that Pallet Alliance targets.
- PECO Pallet: North American pallet pooling company providing red wood block pallets to major retailers and manufacturers. Directly comparable as a national pallet pooling and management provider targeting enterprise customers.
- iGPS Logistics: Provider of plastic pallet pool with embedded RFID tracking for supply chain visibility. Closely comparable to Pallet Alliance's IntelliPallet offering given its IoT-enabled rental pallet model and enterprise customer focus.
- Kamps Pallets: Large North American pallet manufacturer and recycler serving national accounts. Comparable as a multi-site pallet supplier competing for the same enterprise procurement contracts.
- Millwood: National pallet, packaging, and material handling solutions provider with integrated services. Comparable as a multi-site pallet and packaging program manager serving manufacturing and distribution customers.
- Nelson Company: Wood pallet manufacturer and recycling services provider with national reach. Comparable as a pallet manufacturer and recycling program operator serving enterprise customers.
Broad incumbents
- Brambles (CHEP parent): Global logistics and pallet pooling conglomerate operating CHEP and other supply chain platforms. Broad incumbent in the same pallet pooling and supply chain visibility space with significantly larger scale and geographic reach.
- ORBIS Corporation: Major reusable plastic packaging and pallet provider for supply chain applications. Overlaps with Pallet Alliance's plastic pallet product line and broader managed packaging solutions.
Emerging players
- Cabka Group: European-headquartered plastic pallet and large container manufacturer expanding into North America. Comparable on the plastic pallet product line and IoT-enabled pallet solutions.
Regional players
- Litco International: Manufacturer of molded wood pallets and engineered wood packaging. Comparable as a specialized pallet manufacturer with engineered products serving similar industrial applications.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Pallet Alliance social profiles
Digital presencePallet Alliance compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Pallet Alliance financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Pallet Alliance leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Pallet Alliance subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Pallet Alliance funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Pallet Alliance M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Pallet Alliance
What does Pallet Alliance do?
Pallet Alliance is a strategic pallet management company that delivers end-to-end pallet program services—including procurement, custom design, sourcing from a vetted national manufacturer network, implementation, cost control, and ongoing supply chain optimization—anchored by its proprietary IntelliPallet™ IoT platform that provides real-time location and environmental monitoring at the individual pallet level. The company supplies new, recycled, and plastic pallets, custom crates, lumber, plywood/OSB, and dunnage to enterprise customers across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Its core value is replacing fragmented multi-supplier pallet sourcing with a single managed program supported by IoT visibility, engineering expertise, and continuous cost optimization.
Is Pallet Alliance a public or private company?
Pallet Alliance is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Pallet Alliance founded?
Pallet Alliance was founded in 1995. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Pallet Alliance based?
Pallet Alliance is headquartered in Carrboro, United States, in the North America region.
How does Pallet Alliance make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Strategic Pallet Management Services are the primary driver. The others are custom Pallet and Crate Sales, intelliPallet IoT Technology and consulting and Audit Services.
Who are Pallet Alliance's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are CHEP, PECO Pallet, iGPS Logistics, Kamps Pallets, Millwood and Nelson Company. Broad incumbents are Brambles (CHEP parent) and ORBIS Corporation. Cabka Group is listed as an emerging player. Litco International is listed as a regional player.
Does Pallet Alliance have an API?
No public API is recorded for Pallet Alliance.
What industry is Pallet Alliance in?
Pallet Alliance's product category is Industrial Packaging & Pallet Management Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMALAFAF, Pallets (Wood, Plastic, Metal, Presswood), with a secondary code of IMAHABAG, Pallets, Bins, Totes & Returnable Transport Packaging (RTP). Its NAICS code is 32192 and its SIC code is 5000.