TI-HI

What Is TI/HI Palleting?

TI is the number of cases making up a tier on a pallet. HI is the number of tiers on the pallet. A pallet holding 6 cases of an item on a layer that is stacked 5 high has a TI/HI of 30.

Why Is Knowing TI/HI Important?

Knowing the appropriate TI/HI number is imperative for safe and secure pallet shipments. Loading pallets to the calculated TI/HI number ensures stability of the pallet, prevents over-hanging product on the pallet, and decreases the chances of product sliding during transit.

If product is stacked on a pallet with incorrect TI/HI information, it can cause numerous issues for the supplier. These include safety issues at the warehouse (as well as in transit) and loss of time and money upon arrival at the retailer. Damaged freight will not be accepted by the retailer. This causes the supplier to lose money from lost sales as well as fines from the retailer in some cases.

Using TI/HI in Building Pallets

Once a supplier has calculated the appropriate TI/HI, it is time to start building safe and sturdy pallets. To keep the merchandise secure in transit, and to avoid injuries in the warehouse, here are some best practices when building pallets:

Overlap Boxes in Stacking

Avoid stacking boxes one directly on top of another (like a tower). This pattern gets wobbly the higher it is stacked. To create a secure load, lay the bottom tier of boxes then set the first box of the second tier at a point where two bottom-

tier boxes meet (much like a brick-laying pattern). This creates a stable pattern better for transit.

Avoid Boxes Hanging off Pallet

It is ideal to stack boxes right to the edge of the pallet. This makes strapping more secure as it eliminates unwanted (and unsafe) space between the boxes and the straps. However, boxes that hang over the edge of a pallet are just as dangerous. This can cause damage to the product in transit and cause the pallet to be unstable.

Place Heaviest Boxes on the Pallets First

When loading a pallet of boxes with varying weights, always stack heaviest up to lightest. The pallet will be sturdiest with a heavier base and lighter boxes at the top of the stack ensures less chance of damage during transit and storage.

Strap Securely

After stacking the boxes and before shrink-wrapping, applying straps is imperative to securing the load. For best results, boxes should be stacked to the edge of the pallet so there are no gaps between the load and the strap. For the most stability, at least two straps should be applied to each side of the pallet.