The Third Wheel: Pallet Controllers in the Supply Chain Love Story

Everyone has a role to play in the $70+ billion Australian road freight industry. Suppliers focus on production. Receivers focus on inventory. Carriers focus on keeping the wheels turning and trucks moving efficiently.

And then there is the pallet controller.

Positioned right in the middle, often unseen and frequently underappreciated, the pallet controller connects the dots between every handoff. They may not be visible during the smooth moments of a shipment, but they are essential to keeping everything aligned behind the scenes. They coordinate, reconcile, clarify, and ensure that what moves physically is accurately reflected administratively.

In light of Valentine’s Day, we are shining a light on the role that helps keep the supply chain connected.

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Living in a Red and Blue World

The Australian pallet market is largely supported by two major providers: CHEP and Loscam.

Both operate pallet pooling systems where equipment remains their property and is hired on a daily basis. Suppliers are invoiced regularly based on pallet movements and balances, allowing businesses to scale their pallet usage according to operational needs.

Blue CHEP pallets are widely used across Australia and globally, supported by an extensive network of service centres. Red Loscam pallets are a strong alternative across many industries and are equally embedded within the Australian freight ecosystem.

Did you know? The Australian pallet industry is valued at over $1.6 billion, with an estimated 140 million pallets in circulation nationwide (IBIS World).

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The Paper Trail Conflict

Even with digital tools, pallet transfers in Australia are still largely paper based.

At pickup, the carrier signs two copies of the transfer docket. At delivery, the receiver signs both and retains one for their records. In theory, this is simple but in practice, small gaps can quickly turn into operational headaches.

Signed dockets, missing transfers, or rejected exchanges are common points of friction. Pallet controllers step in to clarify, validate, and correct these issues, protecting both working relationships and the smooth movement of freight.

The challenge is amplified by the scale and speed of operations. A single pallet transfer is just one of thousands occurring across multiple lanes and sites each day. Discrepancies may not surface immediately; many pallet transfers include dispute windows, which means quantity differences or process variations can appear weeks or even months after delivery.

By the time an issue is identified, drivers may have completed hundreds of jobs and warehouses processed thousands of pallets. Even minor inconsistencies then require careful investigation and coordination.

What may start as a difference of just a few pallets can quickly grow in impact. Hire charges continue to accumulate, administrative follow-up consumes time, and operational planning can be affected if outstanding items are not promptly reconciled.

Pallet controllers are the ones who navigate this complexity. They trace missing documentation, validate signatures, liaise with carriers and receivers, and coordinate recoveries when required. Their work ensures that small discrepancies don’t escalate into larger problems, keeping freight moving efficiently and relationships intact across the supply chain.

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Behind the Scenes: When Things Do Not Marry Up

A standard pallet transfer docket usually captures the basics: providers such as CHEP or Loscam, the docket number, the transfer parties, and the end receiver reference listed as Ref 1.

While the form itself may be simple, what happens after the transfer is where pallet controllers play their most important role.

In a perfect world, every pallet collected would be transferred correctly, exchanged accurately, and paperwork signed without discrepancy. In reality, pallet controllers step in when the numbers do not align.

Every adjustment they make strengthens working relationships across different stakeholders.

Pallet controllers also focus on recovery. They work with receivers and carriers to organise collections, arrange reversals, or correct transfers. Their role is not just administrative. It is operational.

If a transfer is rejected, they work to reprocess it correctly.
If paperwork is unclear, they trace copies and validate signatures.

Their objective is simple: resolve the issue without stopping the freight from moving.

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The Real Love Language of Logistics

At Ofload, we are focused on eliminating waste in freight, including wasted kilometres, wasted emissions, and wasted administrative effort.

Our technology optimises freight movements across Australia’s road network and improves shipment visibility. But pallets still move through people, processes, and physical handoffs. When discrepancies arise, it is the pallet controller who keeps the system balanced.

They sit between suppliers, carriers, and receivers, protecting accounts, reconciling balances, and ensuring that pallet movements reflect operational reality. They recover equipment, correct paperwork, and keep communication flowing so freight can continue moving without disruption.

In light of Valentine’s Day - a day of love and appreciation - it’s time to show them some love to pallet controllers in return.

Because in the red and blue world of pallets, it is the pallet controller who quietly keeps everything connected and keeps the freight moving forward.