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Tag: pallets

Vehicle dismantler appoints Palletways as logistics partner

Posted on by David Priestman

SCB Vehicle Dismantlers in Edinburgh has put the brakes on the search for a logistics partner after appointing Palletways Edinburgh, which is part of Palletways UK.

SCB required a logistics partner to make scheduled collections of car parts and accessories from its Edinburgh depot and deliver to car garages and private customers. Palletways Edinburgh will handle daily collections and provide a next-day/economy service to customers in the UK and take responsibility for SCB’s international shipping requirements.

Palletways’ industry-leading IT systems, reputation for offering first-class customer service and competitive pricing were deciding factors in the hire. Peter Irvine, operations manager at SCB, said: “We needed a carrier that could provide an economy and next-day delivery service, which we knew Palletways Edinburgh could handle.

“Its IT systems particularly impressed us, especially the Track and Trace facility and ETA updates. Providing a two-hour window means our customers don’t have to wait in all day for their delivery, plus we receive an SMS notification once the consignment reaches its delivery point. This visibility is unrivalled and adds further value to the customer experience.”

Martyn Ryrie, SCB’s customer support manager, added: “The service we receive from Palletways Edinburgh is head-and-shoulders above anything we’ve received before. The level of detail it provides reduces our costs, improves our efficiency and helps us deliver first-class service to our customers.”

Vanda Roberts, general manager at Palletways Edinburgh, added: “Our commitment to customer service combined with the transparency of our ETA technology has resulted in our appointment. The ETA function helps us provide exceptional customer service excellence and the delivery time certainty sets us aside from competitors.”

Palletways offers a range of Premium services for both domestic and international delivery. Domestic is typically delivered within 24-hours. With its economy service, domestic consignments are typically delivered within 48 hours and international deliveries made within 72-96 hours, depending on the location.

SCB Vehicle Dismantlers provides salvage and breaking vehicles, spare parts and accessories from a vast range of vehicle manufacturers and models and sells to the auto industry and private customers from its site at Newbridge, Edinburgh. In association with the Northern Salvage Automobile Auctions (NSAA), SCB also holds a weekly online auction, selling a variety of salvage vehicles to the public and trade.

Brexit packaging regulations ‘here to stay’

Posted on by Keith McKinley

New regulations governing the movements of wooden pallets and packaging (WPM) since Brexit will remain indefinitely, according to the UK government.

Speaking at TIMCON’s general meeting at the end of March, Defra’s head of programme, Will Surman, told delegates he believed ISPM15 measures stipulating that all WPM travelling between the UK and the EU must be heat-treated are ‘here to stay’. It was also noted that, with average temperatures forecast to rise globally, ISPM15 compliance may also soon become the norm for WPM moving between countries within the EU to eradicate any risk to plant health.

Surman thanked TIMCON and the WPM industry for its work preparing for Brexit, which he said had been critical to a smooth transition and achieving a low level of compliance issues after the 31st December, 2020 deadline.

TIMCON president John Dye (pictured) echoed the comments and said establishing an open dialogue with Defra early in the process had been central to planning successfully for the change.

“The message is clear that the work we have coordinated with Defra to prepare our businesses for Brexit has stood us in good stead for a future where ISPM15 could become the norm,” he said. “The industry’s investment in extending heat treatment capacity means we were ready at the start of this year and well prepared should compliance requirements be extended to apply at the borders of further destinations.”

Surman said enforcement of ISPM15 regulations in the UK is continuing with a risk-based approach, where limited resources are targeted on WPM arriving in the country from high-risk origins.

The general meeting also heard from Brent J. McClendon, President and CEO of NWPCA, who gave an update on the US pallet and packaging business as the international market has recovered. He also spoke about his organisation’s work to promote the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) awarded to pallets, as an important endorsement of the industry’s sustainability credentials.

Gareth Stace, director general of MakeUK/UK Steel, spoke to delegates about the availability and price issues affecting his sector, which he said mirrored those currently affecting the wood business. He added that even after supply and demand returned to a better balance, he expected the ongoing global situation to keep prices high.

Meanwhile, Alun Watkins, executive director of PEFC UK Ltd, gave a presentation on sustainability and certification, which includes the launch of a chain of custody logo that businesses can use to demonstrate the percentage of certified timber they use.

During the meeting, TIMCON updated its membership on its ongoing work to represent the pallet and packaging industry, which included coordinating with other industry associations, such as the Wood Panel Industries Association (WPIF) and the Wood Recyclers Association (WRC). It also advised that the Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging consultation document had been released and the date for final comments is 4th June.

TIMCON, having welcomed the reduction of targets for wood from 48% to 35% for 2021/22, said it will continue to work hard in this area to promote reuse before recycling.

There were also updates on the European market and activities of the European Federation of Wooden Pallet & Packaging Manufacturers (FEFPEB) from TIMCON past president and FEFPEB honorary treasurer, Gil Covey; and TIMCON’s work on ISPM15, communications, and the TIMCON/NAPD pallet stacking height guide.

New Pallet Racking Solution

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Logistics service provider Great Bear has selected AR Storage Solutions as its trusted partner to add new pallet racking and reconfigure its 20,000m2 warehouse in Nottingham, England. Part of Culina Group, Great Bear offers nationwide warehousing and distribution solutions for leading international customers.

“The Great Bear warehouse in Nottingham required a brand-new racking solution accompanied by some layout modifications to transform it into a more flexible operating facility” explained Andrew Collinson, Capital Projects Director, Culina Group. “We are delighted to have entrusted AR Racking and to now have a warehouse with capacity fully optimised.”

The project included the dismantling and disposal of old non AR pallet racking and the installation of new AR adjustable pallet racking resulting in a storage capacity for 17,400 pallets. “We had to deal with the added complication of Great Bear requiring to keep the warehouse fully operational while we dismantled the old pallet racking and replaced it with new AR pallet racking equipment”, commented Mike Smyth, AR Racking UK Key Account Manager.

The installation of adjustable pallet racking also has a number of dedicated mesh deck panels and individual adjustable mesh dividers to create a quantity of low-level pick locations for Great Bear. Adjustable pallet racking systems come with a wide variety of accessories for the storage of any type of products, making this type of racking highly versatile. It is also a storage solution that allows maximum use of space, due to the ease and speed in adjusting the load levels to adapt them to specific volumes. In this case the top beam level is 8.75 m high.

Pallet and Parcel Transport Growth

Posted on by Keith McKinley

In 2020 EURODIS, the international transport network for parcels and pallets in 36 European countries, reached a record annual growth. The number of transported shipments increased by 15 percent. “The Corona pandemic dominated the year 2020 and was a huge challenge. Nevertheless we were able to benefit from the increasing e-commerce business which brought large numbers of new shipments to our network” says Jens Reibold, Managing Director of EURODIS GmbH. The company based in Weinheim, Germany is steering the European network which includes members like Bonafide (Switzerland), Ciblex (France and Belgium), Österreichische Post (Austria), PostNL (Netherlands), Redur (Spain/Portugal), SDA (Italy) or trans-o-flex (Germany).

Since introducing the possibility to send 2C shipments in 2015, the formerly pure B2B-network has increased its 2C-volumes steadily and at high growth rates. “In 2020 nearly one out of three EURODIS shipments was marked as 2C”, Reibold adds.

“Personally I am very proud that our network proved to be highly reliable in these challenging times and that, in my first complete year as Managing Director, we reached unprecedented growth numbers together. A big thank you to everyone who worked to make this possible ”, states the 42-years old Managing Director. “To react properly to the crisis we had daily conference calls with our members during the first lockdown phase in early 2020. This enabled us to manage the constantly changing situations in the different countries and at the borders and to act fast. I am happy that the negative impact of the pandemic on our operations was limited to single postal code areas and short periods.”

Reibold is confident that EURODIS will again deliver positive results and growth in 2021 although there are some uncertainties remaining caused by the Corona situation and the Brexit. “All shippers have to follow the new documentation-needs for shipments to and from the UK to ensure smooth processes at customs“, emphasises Reibold who’s general outlook for the year is positive: “As EURODIS proved to go smoothly through the pandemic so far, our customers are very content and together with continuously improving plans to further strengthen our network this will again lead to increasing volumes.”

Pallet Racking and Picking Solutions Installed

Posted on by Keith McKinley

AR Racking has fitted out the new warehouse in Gavà of Grup Sevica, company with more than 40 years of experience and pioneer in supply chain operations related to the textile business.

Specialised in textile logistics management, Grup Sevica has a new 5,000 m2 warehouse able to store 3,500 pallets thanks to the adjustable pallet racking system installed by AR Racking, supplier of industrial pallet racking systems. In addition, 500 carton flow rack levels integrated in the adjustable pallet racking system have been installed. The new logistics centre also has 750 longspan shelving levels for manual picking. This new warehouse now joins the other handling centres that Grup Sevica has in Gavà and Viladecans, making up 30,000 m2 in total dedicated to integrated logistics for the textile sector.

“We have entrusted AR Racking because we were aware of the quality of its storage solutions and the adaptability and versatility of its industrial racking” said Daniel Sevilla, General Manager of Grup Sevica. The company offers specific garment handling, quality control, storage and picking services, managing the shipping of garments to points of sale, reverse logistics and e-commerce. Its customers are leading national and international brands from the fashion sector. “Our maxim is to add value throughout the supply chain, the storage and logistics of the goods”, added General Manager.

According to Manel Bustos, AR Racking Northeast region Sales Representative and project manager, “the daily operations of the Grup Sevica warehouse require both dynamism and control. With the adjustable pallet racking system and by including different picking solutions we have helped the customer to be able to quickly locate goods and fully exploit the space”.

35 Years of Plastic Innovation

Posted on by David Priestman

2020 was a big anniversary year for a big name in the transport and logistics packaging sector, writes Paul Hamblin.

The bekuplast group of companies is one of the leading manufacturers of reusable plastic transport packaging in Europe. This year the company celebrates its 35th anniversary. The administration building at the company headquarters in Ringe, Germany catches the eye even from a distance. The green façade elements are reminiscent of containers stacked on top of each other. The resemblance is appropriate because competence in reusable containers is the USP of this family-run company. The green concept has a long tradition at bekuplast: the first plastic containers the company produced in 1985 were intended for transporting plants. Today the bekuplast group of companies develops, produces and sells reusable solutions worldwide, which are used in all industries.

The plastic containers, trays and pallets are produced at two locations, in Germany and Poland. At the German head office alone about 20 million products are manufactured annually. On a production area of 12.1 hectares, production is carried out with energy-efficient, high-performance injection moulding machines and modern robot technology. In addition to production, the development of innovative reusable solutions for special logistical requirements is one of the core competences.

Driving logistics forward with sustainable solutions is not only the goal, but also the motivation of the company, which developed the first such solutions back in the early 1990s. Hinged containers have revolutionised logistics, and in many sectors, such as fresh produce logistics, it is impossible to imagine life without these volume reduction containers today. Empty collapsible containers from bekuplast can be simply folded up after use, reducing volume by up to 80%.

The innovative strength of the company is also evident in many other areas. As a partner of leading system suppliers bekuplast knows the requirements of intralogistics precisely and so brought
the ‘contecline’ onto the market at the beginning of 2020. The contecline container series is specially designed for use in miniload and shuttle systems and is convincing with its extremely quiet, safe and trouble-free operation in conveyor technology. Solutions such as the company’s award-winning universal tray also demonstrate this innovative strength. Even in economically
turbulent times bekuplast is looking ahead positively. The company is well positioned for the future with new challenges and great opportunities.

New Zero Targets Drive RTP Demand

Posted on by David Priestman

RTP is in increasing demand, driven by brands and retailers needing to meet Net Zero carbon targets, reports Paul Hamblin.

Schoeller Allibert says it has seen an upsurge in demand for its returnable transit packaging (RTP) as brands and retailers face increasing pressure to meet Net Zero carbon targets and drive sustainability within their markets and supply chains. As efforts to become carbon neutral accelerate, those in the FMCG sector are scrutinising every aspect of their operations and processes, from product innovation to logistics, to reduce their environmental impact while maintaining efficiency and security of supply.

Schoeller Allibert is a European market leader in the production of recyclable, reusable and returnable transit packaging. It has used this upward momentum to shape its product range, including the recently launched Maxinest E-tail and Maxinest Evo family of products, which includes new and upgraded versions of its pioneering Maxinest container for the grocery and supermarket retail sector. The new range of products includes the addition of features to enhance performance in automated warehouses, Click & Collect and home delivery environments.

Jon Walkington, Retail and Systems Integrator Sales Director at Schoeller Allibert UK, comments: “As part of the UK’s commitment to reducing the impact of climate change and making British industry carbon neutral, the Net Zero drive is shaping how day to day operations are carried out. With ‘Net Zero’ Targets Drive RTP Demand the current target to achieve Net Zero being 2050, and many calling for action sooner, it is likely to be a key industry driver for some time to come.

“Very early on, brands, packaging and retailers understood that reaching carbon neutrality couldn’t be done purely by changing products, ingredients and components – global supply chains are too complex for that. Instead, we look further up the process to find additional sustainability gains in terms of efficiency and reduction of waste.

“We have seen the drive first-hand from our position as the leading RTP supplier in Europe. When sustainability needs to be demonstrated at every single level of the manufacturing and supply process, brands look to tighten how they move, handle and store goods and ingredients. Naturally, plastic RTP is perhaps the RTP is in increasing demand, driven by brands and retailers needing to meet Net Zero carbon targets. most robust way of reducing waste through handling, which I believe is why we are seeing such a strong upturn in use.”

Guided by the needs of the market, Schoeller Allibert has strengthened its core range of RTP solutions to equip customers with the tools they need to create sustainability and efficiency at each stage of the manufacturing and supply process. Walkington concludes: “It’s clear that as brands prepare to adopt and implement Net Zero principles, supply chains will continue to see major
operational shifts. After a challenging few months, sustainability is very much back in focus. It’s now a question of finding new areas for efficiency, and for many businesses, the answer lies in efficient goods handling and streamlined logistics.

“What will prove absolutely crucial is momentum – how we can continue to create change in increasingly complex global supply chains. Plastic RTP is one of the ways that this is being accomplished, but we expect to see continued innovation to further support these changes.”

Pallet Sales Grow as Brexit Deadline Approaches

Posted on by David Priestman

EPAL UK & Ireland has reported pallet sales increases of 13 per cent in the third quarter of 2020, as businesses prepare for the final Brexit cut off on December 31. The open-loop pallet pooler manufactures and repairs all its pallets to an ISPM15-compliant standard, meaning they conform to regulations governing packaging movements that come into force on January 1 next year.

Wooden pallets and packaging that originate within the European Union are generally free to move between member states without having to meet international ISPM15 standards. However, when the UK leaves the EU, regulations state they must be heat-treated and marked as ISPM15-compliant when travelling in either direction between the UK and the EU. This means they may be subject to official checks that may delay shipments for a period immediately after Brexit.

The timber packaging and pallet industry has worked hard with industry and the UK government to build up stocks of compliant wooden pallets and packaging, expanding the country’s kilning capacity and announcing that ISPM15-marked components can be used to repair used pallets, for example. Nevertheless, EPAL’s chairman says some companies have sought out
guaranteed sources of ISPM15 compliancy such as EPAL.

Paul Davidson, Chairman of EPAL UK & Ireland, said: “We have seen a rise in demand from businesses wishing to eliminate completely the risks to their supply chains of the new regulations. When pallets are ISPM15-compliant, they are free to move through customs across Europe, and throughout the world, and won’t be the source of unnecessary details; so business have been looking for established suppliers. As EPAL pallets are kiln dried to ISPM15 specifications as standard, they automatically conform to these regulations.”

Other benefits of using EPAL pallets are that they are: safe for loads of up to 1.25 tonnes; kiln-dried, giving them extra strength and durability; and specified ‘as new’ whenever they are repaired.

35,000 Pallet Positions for New Warehouse

Posted on by David Priestman

Boughey Distribution, a company that specialises in logistics and distribution services, entrusted AR Racking with fitting out its innovative and state-of-the-art 21,000 m2 warehouse located in Crewe (Cheshire, UK). The ambitious warehouse was built at a decisive moment during the crisis generated by the pandemic in the United Kingdom.

AR Racking, a company that specialises in industrial storage systems, has installed an Adjustable Pallet Racking system solution for Boughey Distribution. The warehouse, which has been recognised with the highest storage and distribution certification according to the BRC Global Standard, has 35,500 pallet positions

“The solution implemented adapts to Boughey Distribution’s wide range of products and unit loads. It will allow direct and immediate access to the goods, providing a competitive advantage for a company whose main activity requires maximum agility” explained Mike Smyth, AR Racking’s Key Account Manager in the UK. The installation has a top beam height of 12.4 m and a range of different weights and unit load sizes

For Mr. Danny Earp, Operations Director at Boughey Distribution “budget and timescales aside, this project was made all the more demanding as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Remarkably, the project was still delivered safely and to plan, and warehouse operations commenced on schedule. The most pleasing aspect of working with AR Racking was that all of the promises made to us during the tender stage were met, with fine quality, coordination, and consistency”. The total warehouse investment was around 2 million euros.
Based in Maidenhead, AR Racking has a long track record in major storage projects for every type of sector in a market as competitive as the United Kingdom’s. To this great adaptability is added AR Racking UK’s broad experience with a vast network of distributors with excellent results.

Move Drives Future Growth

Posted on by Keith McKinley

NGC Logistics has joined Fortec Distribution Network – a move described by the Brackley-based transport company as integral to its drive for future growth.

The international couriers operate from a 30,000 sq ft warehouse and has a fleet of over 1,300 vehicles. Pallet distribution remains the company’s primary service offer at the Brackley warehouse and, with a £40m turnover, its substantial client base is made up of large e-commerce businesses.

As online ordering soars, general manager, James Hadley says they have already restructured and adapted, and have big ambitions to expand across the UK. “We had many reasons for joining Fortec, and with COVID changing buying habits, we were keen to push ahead with the move. The profile and demographics of e-commerce has shifted, and over 50% of our deliveries now are to private homes – pre-COVID it was around 25%. We’re already operating more efficiently as a result of our restructure, but if we are to meet our business objectives to open more service centres UK-wide, we need to drive more volume, achieve a better balance from our freights, and have the ability to deliver bigger pallets. Joining Fortec will allow us to achieve these business goals.”

James was also attracted to Fortec Distribution Network because of the shareholder opportunities now available through the wider Pall-Ex Group. He added: “We are keen to work together with likeminded haulage companies who, like us, place high quality pallet distribution at the top of their service offer and want to influence the overall running of the network. Becoming a shareholder in a leading pallet network will play a key part in our business success.”

Adrian Bradley, Manager Director of Fortec Distribution Network said: “We are delighted to welcome NGC Logistics into our network. Their whole ethos and focus on efficient, high quality pallet distribution matches everything that Fortec is about, and we can’t wait to support them in their ambitious plans to expand and thrive.”

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