Europe’s leading pallet pooling business, LPR (a division of Euro Pool Group), is delighted to welcome Britvic plc as a new client. Britvic is the number one supplier of branded still soft drinks in Great Britain, producing brand names including Robinsons, Tango, and J2O, as well as Pepsi, 7UP, and more under license from PepsiCo.
Britvic was already using a pallet pooling solution and invited LPR to take part in a formal tender process in 2019. LPR demonstrated that as well as providing an excellent pricing structure and the ability to meet demand, it could also offer a number of value-added initiatives that would enable Britvic to make substantial cost savings.
An important consideration for Britvic was the need for superior quality pallets across its supply chain. This was particularly the case at its Rugby facility, where sophisticated automation is used, and the Lutterworth NDC, which handles the majority of the company’s UK output. LPR’s quality team was involved at an early stage of the process to demonstrate how pallet quality can be critical to a hassle-free and uninterrupted supply chain.
Implementation: LPR provides a smooth pallet transition for Britvic
The transition to the LPR solution was easy and efficient as confirmed by Bob Symons, Head of Logistics at Britvic. “Given the importance of pallets within the Britvic supply chain, I have to say that I was concerned about the potential impact of changing supplier,” he said. “I need not have worried. The transition was painless, communication between both businesses was top notch – as was the planning and preparation ahead of the go-live. It has been a very successful move.”
“We are delighted to become the pallet pooler of choice for Britvic,” said Adrian Fleming, Regional Managing Director LPR North (UK & IRELAND). “The collaborative spirit of both companies has meant that the process was transparent and simple.”
LPR’s support was comprehensive, from understanding the need – to implementing the solution. Kevin Gallimore, Logistics Category Manager – Procurement at Britvic commented: “Britvic had been with their previous pallet provider for over 20 years, so I was concerned that it would be difficult to change, however, LPR was honest and reliable, delivering what they said they would. Britvic is a complex business, and LPR made sure that they understood our business, the handover process was seamless, and the move was a good experience overall, with both businesses working well together.”
“The team at Britvic was very clear in their objectives, and this enabled us to provide a solution that aligned with their business needs in a cost-effective and professional way,” added Diane Carroll, Commercial Director (UK & IRELAND) at LPR. “We look forward to a long and happy relationship!”
Rick LeBlanc, EMBA, is the founder and editor of Reusable Packaging News (subscribe to the free newsletter) and editor of Western Pallet Magazine. A supply chain journalist with more than 30 years of experience, he specializes in pallets, reusable packaging, material handling and related operations. Rick is co-author of Pallets: A North American Perspective and Pallets & Progress: A Collected History of Pallets and Palletized Handling 1922–1945. He is also an advisory board member of the Virginia Tech Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design. Read Rick’s full bio.
