What Kamps buyers want when they look at alternatives
Kamps Pallets is one of the larger recycled-pallet yard-network operators in North America, with regional concentration in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. Freeman Spogli & Co. acquired a majority interest in Kamps in 2020 (source); current 2026 ownership structure is not confirmed from a primary source. For Kamps buyers evaluating alternatives, the three most common frictions are: coverage outside the Midwest/Mid-Atlantic (Southeast, Southwest, Mountain West), limited specialty-industry depth (aerospace, pharma cGMP, custom-engineered industrial), and ISPM-15 export capability for Florida port freight.
United States Pallets handles standard GMA 48x40 at nationally competitive pricing but adds specialty depth, Florida regional dominance via our sister property, and APHIS-registered ISPM-15 stamping for Jaxport, Port Miami, Port Everglades, Port Tampa, Port Canaveral export.
USP vs Kamps - practical comparison
| Factor | Kamps Pallets | United States Pallets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary business | Recycled 48x40 yard network with some custom | Full-spectrum mill + yard + specialty industry |
| Service footprint | Midwest + Mid-Atlantic concentrated | All 50 US states, Florida same-day 19 counties |
| Custom-spec capability | Some custom builds, limited specialty engineering | Full mill, any size/construction/treatment |
| Specialty industry depth | Not core focus | Aerospace, pharma cGMP, citrus, cold storage, export |
| ISPM-15 export capability | Standard partner-network approach | APHIS-registered, 1-2 day stamp, daily flow |
| Hurricane 24/7 dispatch | Standard distribution | 24/7 dispatch, pre-staged hurricane inventory |
| Standing weekly buyback | Return economics via yard network | Buyback credit $2-$6 per piece at destination |
| Ownership | Private company; Freeman Spogli majority 2020, current state not confirmed from 2026 primary source | WETYR Corporation (operator-owned) |
When Kamps is still the right call
For buyers whose program is pure-volume standard 48x40 distribution within Kamps' Midwest or Mid-Atlantic yard-proximity footprint, Kamps is competitive at scale. Their regional yard network gives them freight-included volume economics that are hard to beat at identical standard spec within their service area.
Where buyers migrate to USP: anything outside the Midwest/Mid-Atlantic footprint, specialty industry work (aerospace Space Coast, pharma cGMP, Florida citrus and produce packhouses, Jaxport ISPM-15 export), standing-weekly programs that benefit from destination buyback credit, hurricane and storm 24/7 dispatch, custom-engineered builds.
Where USP is structurally advantaged over Kamps
- National geographic coverage - USP ships all 50 US states; Kamps is Midwest + Mid-Atlantic concentrated. For Southeast, Southwest, and West Coast destinations, USP's distribution economics typically beat Kamps' out-of-footprint freight.
- Florida regional dominance - Florida same-day in 19 counties through our sister property is a specialty neither Kamps nor the national yard networks replicate. For any Florida-origin or Florida-destination freight, USP structurally wins on freight-plus-inventory economics.
- Specialty industry depth - Aerospace (Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral), pharma cGMP (Pfizer, J&J, specialty), Florida citrus and produce packhouses, cold-chain distribution. Kamps is standard 48x40-focused.
- ISPM-15 export capability - APHIS-registered Florida facility stamping daily for Jaxport, Port Miami, Port Everglades, Port Tampa, Port Canaveral export freight. Kamps handles ISPM-15 via partner-network at longer lead times.
- Hurricane 24/7 dispatch - 24/7 dispatch with pre-staged hurricane-season inventory for FPL grid rebuild, Duke Energy Florida restoration, Florida municipal utility pool operations.
- Operator-owned governance - WETYR Corporation operates USP (not private-equity-held). Multi-year supplier relationships without PE-portfolio churn dynamics (exit cycles, EBITDA-maximization pricing cycles).
Pricing comparison - USP vs Kamps at standard 48x40
At standing-weekly 500 pieces per week of standard GMA 48x40 recycled, within Kamps' Midwest/Mid-Atlantic yard-proximity footprint, pricing between USP and Kamps is close. Outside their footprint, USP is typically more competitive on freight-plus-piece landed cost:
- Standard Grade-A recycled 48x40 within Kamps footprint (Midwest/Mid-Atlantic): Kamps $6-$11, USP $7-$12 - comparable at volume.
- Standard Grade-A recycled 48x40 outside Kamps footprint (Southeast/SW/West): Kamps freight-plus-piece typically higher; USP competitive at $7-$13.
- New GMA 48x40 at volume: USP $10-$17; Kamps comparable at scale within footprint.
- Custom-engineered aerospace or pharma: USP $35-$125; Kamps typically referred out or at longer lead.
- ISPM-15 heat-treated export: USP standard product +$1-$3 per piece; Kamps via partner network.
- Florida same-day delivery 19 counties: USP standard via sister property Florida Pallet Supply; Kamps freight-dependent.
- Hurricane 24/7 dispatch: USP standard; Kamps standard distribution hours.
Pricing bands are ranges, not quotes. They shift with CME softwood lumber front-month futures and regional freight dynamics. For your specific lane, spec, volume, and timing, use the quote form above for a real quote within one business day.
How a Kamps-to-USP migration typically runs
- Program audit - Review current Kamps spec, destination mix, specialty needs, weekly volume. Deliverable: USP program quote within 1-2 business days.
- Out-of-footprint pilot - Start with lanes outside Kamps' Midwest/Mid-Atlantic footprint where USP's national yard network and freight economics are structurally better. Run 4-8 week pilot.
- Specialty lane expansion - Add specialty lanes (aerospace, pharma, export, Florida citrus and produce) where USP's mill advantage is clearest.
- Standard-spec expansion - Once specialty + out-of-footprint migration is confirmed, consider USP for standard-spec lanes within Kamps' footprint, particularly if standing-weekly buyback economics favor USP's destination-buyback credit model.
- Kamps retention on specific lanes - Many buyers keep Kamps on high-volume Midwest/Mid-Atlantic standard-spec lanes where their yard-network advantage is clearest.
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Get my quoteFrequently asked questions
How is USP different from Kamps Pallets?
Kamps is primarily a Midwest/Mid-Atlantic concentrated recycled-pallet yard-network operator. USP is a full-spectrum pallet mill + national yard network with specialty industry depth. On standard 48x40 within Kamps' footprint, pricing is comparable. On national distribution outside Kamps' footprint, Florida regional work, specialty applications (aerospace, pharma, export), and hurricane dispatch, USP is structurally advantaged.
Can USP serve the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic that Kamps dominates?
Yes - USP covers all 50 US states with national dispatch. Transit times: Midwest 3-4 day, Mid-Atlantic 3-4 day. For buyers inside Kamps' yard-proximity footprint, Kamps may have freight-included advantages at pure-volume standard spec. For buyers with mixed or specialty needs, USP's broader mix is often economically favorable.
Does USP export ISPM-15 heat-treated pallets like Kamps?
USP operates an APHIS-registered Florida facility stamping within 1-2 business days of order. ISPM-15 heat-treated export is standard product at $1-$3 per piece premium. Jaxport, Port Miami, Port Everglades, Port Tampa, Port Canaveral export flows daily. Kamps handles ISPM-15 via partner network at typically longer lead times.
Why would a Kamps customer migrate to USP?
Four common triggers: (1) distribution outside Midwest/Mid-Atlantic where Kamps' yard-proximity advantage weakens; (2) specialty needs - aerospace, pharma, custom industrial, export - outside Kamps' core standard-48x40 focus; (3) Florida regional distribution where our sister property Florida Pallet Supply delivers same-day in 19 counties; (4) hurricane and storm 24/7 dispatch for Florida storm-strike zone operations.
Does USP buyback match Kamps' return economics?
USP pays cash credit $2-$6 per Grade-A or Grade-B piece returned in 250+ single-size single-location batches. For specific lane geometries where destination warehouses batch empties for scheduled pickup, USP buyback credit can beat yard-network return economics transparently per-piece.
What's the price difference at volume between USP and Kamps?
At standing-weekly 500 pieces per week of standard GMA 48x40 recycled, pricing is close within Kamps' Midwest/Mid-Atlantic footprint. Outside their footprint, USP's national yard network typically wins on landed cost. For specialty specs Kamps refers out, USP is the direct supplier.
Who owns Kamps Pallets?
Kamps is a private company. Freeman Spogli & Co. acquired a majority interest in Kamps in 2020 (source). Current 2026 ownership structure is not confirmed from a primary source. For current ownership, check Kamps' own disclosures.
What's the minimum USP commitment to replace a Kamps program?
No fixed minimum contract term. Standing weekly programs typically start at 250 pieces per week to unlock standing-program economics. One-time orders start at 50 pieces. For small or episodic volume, hybrid of standing + one-time usually makes sense.
Does USP work with buyers who want to keep Kamps on Midwest lanes?
Yes - no exclusivity requirement. Many buyers keep Kamps on Midwest/Mid-Atlantic yard-proximity standard-spec lanes while running USP for specialty, custom, aerospace, pharma, export, Florida regional, and out-of-footprint lanes. Hybrid supplier arrangements are common and often economically optimal.
How fast can USP ramp if we need to replace Kamps quickly?
Standard ramp: 4-8 weeks spec-to-standing-program. For emergency ramp (Kamps availability shortfall or sudden lane disruption): 1-2 weeks for Florida footprint, 2-4 weeks for national coverage from standard-spec Grade-A inventory. For single-lane emergency volume we can quote same-day.
Updated 2026-10-10