Day: 20 March 2020

Exporta have expanded their collapsible pallet box range with the addition of a brand-new entry model version of their successful Hercules box. The Hercules pallet box is unrivalled due to its unique design; designed to be compatible with other popular pallet boxes on the market, stackable when open or closed. This makes Hercules versatile and robust, ideal for continual use in a pool scenario.

The new version comes in both standard pallet size (1200mmx1000mm) and Euro pallet sizes (1200mmx800mm) with low sides of 805mm and 800mm respectively. The lower sides do mean that volume capacity is reduced, but this also makes them easier to load, unload, and access the contents inside without the need for additional doors.

They also come with a new base option, offering four feet rather than the three runners. The four feet option reduces the overall weight of the boxes which makes them easier to handle and move.

The added value that comes from these pallet boxes is that they can be combined with an RFID tracking solution; this can be integrated with either a Warehouse Management System (WMS) or Transport Management System (TMS). This asset tracking will prevent losses and theft. Combine this with personalisation in the form of a company logo, and the likelihood of these pallet boxes ‘disappearing’ is significantly reduced.

With the addition of the basic model, Exporta has so many combinations and can easily configure a box to meet your needs. Different bases, heights and number of door configurations are all available. Exporta’s new-build a box option will also be available online in the coming months.

You can purchase one of these pallet boxes for £160* directly from Exporta’s website with next day delivery. If you are looking to secure a large quantity, contact Exporta for a quote, and one of their experts will help you find the right product.

Don Marshall, Head of Marketing & eCommerce says:

“These boxes are fantastic. They are simple to use and robust. I recall first using this type of collapsible pallet box when I worked at B&Q many years ago, and I am amazed at how much the design and usability have improved to make them a must-have in any closed-loop operation.”

Find out more at www.exportaglobal.co.uk or call them on 0808 301 8121

Logistics property player Prologis has released an assessment report on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on the real estate sector.

Unsurprisingly, the research suggests the likelihood of an imminent recession but points to the underlying strength of the sector, driven by e-commerce. Intriguingly, it points to supply chain managers targeting resilience over efficiency, driven by the need for wider inventories.

Find the report here.

Logistics property player Prologis has released an assessment report on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on the real estate sector.

Unsurprisingly, the research suggests the likelihood of an imminent recession but points to the underlying strength of the sector, driven by e-commerce. Intriguingly, it points to supply chain managers targeting resilience over efficiency, driven by the need for wider inventories.

Find the report here.

Geodis has established a number of air charter services to assist customers with urgent shipments during the ongoing Coronavirus crisis. In addition, rail alternatives are being offered to/from China.

Whilst ocean freight continues to be disrupted and air cargo options severely restricted by established carriers cancelling scheduled flights, Geodis is providing alternative means to move customers’ cargoes between China and Europe as well as on Transatlantic routes.

The first of the air charter services departed from Frankfurt (Germany) on a one-way to Shanghai on the 12th February. In order to facilitate the resurgence in westbound freight out of China, Geodis quickly followed up on the 21st with the first round trip service departing from Liege (Belgium), again with the destination Shanghai Pudong International. As of the 28th February weekly round trip flights were established from Frankfurt, with Shanghai departures each Tuesday. This schedule will remain in place throughout the month of March when consideration of a further extension will be made and is being complemented by flights from Hong Kong to Europe.

The company has continued with its newly introduced direct, dedicated service from Hong Kong to Guadalajara, Mexico, through March. The next flight will depart Hong Kong on the 22nd.

It also maintains its offering of rail solutions from major cities in China.

To further assist customers during this period of disruption, GEODIS is issuing a daily Advisory Bulletin on the Coronavirus Outbreak. This can be found on GEODIS’ website here.

The Timber Packaging & Pallet Confederation (TIMCON) is today asking the Government to clarify urgently that workers in wooden pallet and packaging companies are included in its list of key workers during the coronavirus outbreak.

Last night (19th March) TIMCON asked its members to sign a letter calling for the clarification. Some 24 businesses signed overnight, with more expected to sign during today.

The letter reads as follows:

As timber packaging and pallet businesses, we write to stress in the strongest terms the importance of including supply chain workers in the Government’s definition of key workers, during the COVID-19 crisis.

The European Commission (EC) stated this week that, while protecting the health of European citizens, we must also ensure that that they still have access to essential goods, especially food and medicines, demand for which is currently incredibly high.

To do this, we absolutely need workers to be free to carry out the physical work that supports supply chains. This includes sawmill workers, pallet repairers and manufacturers, and drivers of lorries and forklifts.

These people cannot work from home. We need them to be there in person to keep goods moving from origin to consumers.
If this doesn’t happen, the pharmaceutical, food and drink supply chains upon which people rely, will fail.

With schools across the UK and Ireland now shut, we need assurance these staff will be included on the Government’s key worker list as a matter of urgency.

The Government has listed workers involved in ‘food production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery as well as those essential to the provision of other key goods’ and those ‘working on transport systems through which supply chains pass’. However, it has not specified which job roles are included.

The Timber Packaging & Pallet Confederation (TIMCON) is today asking the Government to clarify urgently that workers in wooden pallet and packaging companies are included in its list of key workers during the coronavirus outbreak.

Last night (19th March) TIMCON asked its members to sign a letter calling for the clarification. Some 24 businesses signed overnight, with more expected to sign during today.

The letter reads as follows:

As timber packaging and pallet businesses, we write to stress in the strongest terms the importance of including supply chain workers in the Government’s definition of key workers, during the COVID-19 crisis.

The European Commission (EC) stated this week that, while protecting the health of European citizens, we must also ensure that that they still have access to essential goods, especially food and medicines, demand for which is currently incredibly high.

To do this, we absolutely need workers to be free to carry out the physical work that supports supply chains. This includes sawmill workers, pallet repairers and manufacturers, and drivers of lorries and forklifts.

These people cannot work from home. We need them to be there in person to keep goods moving from origin to consumers.
If this doesn’t happen, the pharmaceutical, food and drink supply chains upon which people rely, will fail.

With schools across the UK and Ireland now shut, we need assurance these staff will be included on the Government’s key worker list as a matter of urgency.

The Government has listed workers involved in ‘food production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery as well as those essential to the provision of other key goods’ and those ‘working on transport systems through which supply chains pass’. However, it has not specified which job roles are included.