16 | Foldable Small Containers Foldable Small Containers | 17
Case study
Pooling companies:
IFCO, EPS and other
Background
These days the
plastic containers used by pooling companies
have a relevance that goes beyond mere transport. In recent
years, retailers have come to understand how using an appealing
hygienic container design and a uniform colour throughout
their stores can attract consumers. Plastic containers are
gradually replacing disposable cardboard packaging units and
being used at point of sales units as well as for storage and
transport.
The customer base
Fresh fruit and vegetable producers typically (though not exclusively)
form the customer base of pooling companies. The
advantages for this target group are obvious: whereas producers
would only need a container fleet once a year at harvest
time, the pooling companies can use them all year round,
providing services to different customers as their crops ripen.
Solution
Schoeller Arca Systems makes a variety of containers for the
major pooling companies. Each has its own development
programme with Schoeller Arca Systems providing a range
of unique features – such as special bar-coding and opening
devices. What all our containers have in common is their
extremely low folded height. The importance of this cannot
be underestimated, since when transporting goods over long
distances, every millimetre of space counts. With smooth and
flat surfaces, our
plastic containers do not collect dirt; they
are easy to clean and easy to dry. Schoeller Arca Systems
containers are also lightweight, which lowers transport costs
and is good news for handling staff. Using the latest advanced
production techniques, container stability is not compromised
even though weight is low.
Implementation
Pooling companies take the greater share of responsibility for
this closed loop system. They fold down, clean and return the
container to the producer after each rotation. They also guarantee
consistent quality, by mending or removing damaged
containers from the fleet.
With the ongoing development of worldwide pooling networks,
the same containers can be used in different markets,
thus further increasing distribution efficiency.
Results
The fruit and vegetables stay fresher for longer in
plastic containers,
thanks to the hygiene of the smooth plastic surface
and the ventilation holes. This leads to fewer product losses
and ultimately saves the food industry a lot of money.
With a service life of approximately 10 years,
plastic containers
can be re-used many times, and eventually the plastic
material can be recycled. This relieves pooling companies of
the heavy burden of disposal and relieves the environment of
much unnecessary waste.
”As the retail trade continually changes and new demands
arise, it is important that logistics are flexible and updated
in order to react to such a dynamic environment.”
IFCO container
