PALLETMAX in action at Woodpack Global Fall Plant Tours 2026 in Chicago

Our US partner Alliance Automation presented the STAKMA-built PALLETMAX robotic pallet nailing system at the Woodpack Global Fall Plant Tours – a members-only event that brought pallet manufacturers and recyclers from across North America to Chicago.

The 2026 Fall Plant Tours were hosted by Chicago Pallet Services and Harvey Pallets – two family-owned companies that make the most of their urban footprint in pallet recycling and in new and custom pallet manufacturing. The programme combined networking and an exhibitor expo at the Fairmont Chicago at Millennium Park with guided tours of both member facilities.

The highlight for us: visitors didn’t just see PALLETMAX on a banner. The system was set up on the production floor and running, with an industrial ABB robot taking finished pallets off the machine and stacking them. Tour groups stopped at the cell, watched complete pallets being nailed and handled, and asked the Alliance Automation team about changeovers, cycle and integration into their own lines.

Quick changeover – switching to a new pallet size or design is a matter of a program and fixture adjustment, not a day of rebuilding.

Wide range of pallets – both stringer and block pallets on the same platform.

Minimal maintenance – a robust, straightforward mechanical design built for daily industrial use.

Robotic handling – integration with ABB robots for unloading and stacking reduces manual lifting and operator fatigue.

Alliance Automation represents PALLETMAX in the United States and provides sales, installation and local support. At the exhibitor expo, PALLETMAX was featured on the Alliance Automation stand alongside their own sort-and-repair and sawmill solutions – a complete automation offer for American pallet producers.

We thank Alliance Automation for an excellent presentation, Woodpack Global for organising the event, and Chicago Pallet Services and Harvey Pallets for opening their doors.