These bag-like coverings are made from a high-density, flexible polyethylene mesh material and feature small weights sewn to the bottoms and a tie system designed to hold the sock in place. Product remains visible within the mesh, but is properly unitized and accessible.

Logistics Services, a part of ATC Logistics, handles phone and accessories distribution for one of the nation's largest communications equipment suppliers. Products are shipped from Fort Worth to retail stores all over the U.S., as well as directly to end consumers.

The storage racks in the facility are five levels high. It is Logistics Services' safety policy that pallets stored above floor level must be wrapped or contained to avoid possible injury from cartons that might fall from them. Until moving to the new system, each time a box was pulled from a pallet or one added to it, the old stretch wrap had to be removed and new wrapping applied. This obviously took a lot of time, materials, and labor.

More than 100 of these reusable socks have replaced much of the stretch wrap at Logistics Services. Currently, they are used only within the confines of the 270,000 square foot facility, though a few are also being tested in another warehouse that holds accessory products.

The socks have open tops with drawstrings to allow for quick access to products on the pallets. The manufacturer of the pallet socks also makes closed-top units for high security purposes. They come in a variety of sizes to fit most pallet dimensions and are offered in a range of strength requirements and colors. The socks are also flame retardant.

"The pallet sock is a time saver compared with stretch wrapping," says Evans. "We no longer have to wrap the same pallet over and over again. Use of the socks also adds a safety constraint that minimizes the possibility of boxes falling from shelves."

Evans adds that cartons are also much easier to retrieve from the pallets, without having to cut through layers of stretch wrap. Since they can be reused many times over, the pallet socks make good economic sense. Additionally, there is less waste compared to disposal of used stretch wrap, making this choice more friendly to the environment.

"They are also aesthetically pleasing," says Evans. "They give our warehouse a nice neat appearance."