What Is a GMA Pallet?The Industry Standard Explained
The 48×40 GMA pallet is the most common pallet in North America. Here's everything you need to know about the standard.
If you've ever worked in logistics, you've handled a GMA pallet — even if you didn't know it by that name. The GMA (Grocery Manufacturers Association) pallet, measuring 48 inches × 40 inches, is the most widely used pallet in North America.
The GMA pallet standard was established in 1958 by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (now the Consumer Brands Association) to standardize pallet dimensions across the grocery supply chain. Before standardization, incompatible pallet sizes caused chaos in warehouses and on trucks.
Today, the 48×40 GMA pallet accounts for approximately 30% of all new pallets produced in the US. Its dimensions were chosen to optimize space in standard truck trailers (which are 48 feet long) and to be compatible with standard racking systems.
Construction varies, but most GMA pallets use a stringer design with two or three 1×4 stringers, seven top deck boards, and five bottom deck boards. Notched stringers allow partial 4-way fork entry. Total weight is typically 35-48 lbs depending on lumber species and moisture content.
At Riverside Pallet Co., GMA pallets are our highest-volume product. We stock thousands in multiple grades (A, B, and C) for immediate delivery. Whether you need 10 or 10,000, we've got you covered.
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