EPAL pallet production increases despite Covid-19 pandemic
A total of 123.5 million EPAL load carriers were produced and repaired in 2020
Düsseldorf, 13 April 2021 – The European Pallet Association e.V. (EPAL) has again recorded an increase in the production of EPAL pallets in 2020, after several years of growth. Despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and the hike in wood prices, production of EPAL pallets grew by 1.14% to 97.3 million pallets in 2020 (2019: 96.2m.).
Reported figures for repairs of EPAL pallets slightly decreased. Overall there was an increase in production and repairs of EPAL pallets of 0.5% to 123.5 million pallets (2019: 123m pallets).
“This positive development is particularly remarkable in view of the economic slump resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic”, remarks Robert Holliger, President of EPAL. “The adverse effects on national and international supply chains was an unprecedented challenge for producers and users of EPAL Euro pallets, which we successfully tackled together.”
EPAL load carriers: an indispensable link in retail and industry supply chains
The production and repair of EPAL pallets are classed as “essential” by many European countries because pallet logistics and, in particular, the open EPAL Euro pallet exchange pool is vitally important for goods transport. To maintain the supply of foods and other consumer goods to consumers, and to ensure the retail and industry supply chains, EPAL licensees were always, and still are, able to make deliveries at all times during the lockdowns.
“For us, it’s a particular mark of confidence that many transports of Covid-19 vaccines are made on EPAL Euro pallets. EPAL Euro pallets meet the most stringent requirements for safety and reliability for load carriers, and especially in extremely cold temperatures, such as with the transport of vaccines”, comments Robert Holliger.
Production of EPAL pallets at a high level in 2019 again
123 million EPAL load carriers were produced or repaired in 2019.
Düsseldorf, 9 March 2020 – EPAL’s total production and repair volume continued to increase in 2019 and reached 123 million EPAL load carriers. Compared to the previous year, this is an increase of 1% or 1.2 million pallets more in 2019 (2018 total: 121.8 m.). Looking at production and repairing separately, the 2019 repair figures showed a slight decrease. In 2019 26.8 million EPAL load carriers were repaired, compared to 27.5 million in 2018. Looking purely at the new pallet production figures, there was an increase of 2.4%: in 2019, 96.2 million EPAL load carriers were produced, 2.3 million more than in the previous year (2018: 93.9 m.).
“Despite the economic slowdown in Europe, the need and demand for EPAL pallets grew in 2019,” commented Robert Holliger, President of EPAL.
Number of EPAL Euro pallets in the open pool at an all-time high
Currently there are more than 600 million EPAL pallets and 20 million EPAL Box pallets available to the global logistics industry and used by shipping agents, transport companies and large retailers. For many years the pool in Europe has been growing continuously. Due to the very high level of new production, the pool is able to serve the increasing quality expectations of the supply chain. As a result, quality classification levels A and B are also available in greater numbers. The EPAL system’s foundations comprise: independent quality assurance, international trademark protection, acceptance by all market participants, environmental responsibility and sustainability. The EPAL Box pallet also continues to have widespread acceptance in the automotive industry’s supply chain.
EPAL Records 121.8 Million EPAL Pallets Produced and Repaired in 2018
EPAL ended 2018 with over 100 m EPAL load carriers produced and repaired for the third consecutive year
Düsseldorf, March 12, 2019 – In 2018 EPAL again achieved a positive result with 121.8 m EPAL load carriers produced and repaired. Compared to the previous year, this is an increase of 5.2% (2017 total: 115.8 m units). If you consider production and repairs separately, then in 2018, 93.9 m EPAL load carriers were produced, 6.3% more than in 2017. The repair figures stood at a solid 27.5 m units, like in the previous year. The increase in the production of EPAL Box pallets in 2018 was outstanding: with 408,076 Box pallets produced, this result was 30% more compared to 2017.
Christian Kühnhold, EPAL’s CEO commented, “Thanks to the hard work of all licensees, but also due to the solid strong demand in the FMCG sector, in general industry markets and the automotive supply industry, EPAL also had a correspondingly positive development. On this basis, we, EPAL want to work hard in all relevant areas and provide the tools, so that the open exchange pool develops even further. This concerns the further development of existing load carriers, e.g. intelligent EPAL pallets or the market launch of new load carriers, such as the independently inspected EPAL CP pallets.”
For nearly thirty years EPAL Euro pallets have been the heart of logistics, they move flows of goods globally and are essential for the safety and smooth operation especially in automated high-bay storage. The huge number of A and B quality pallets from high-bay storage ensures that the open Euro pallet pool is the most extensive exchange pool of all. Users of EPAL Euro pallets take advantage of the benefits of the open pool, the EPAL system, whose cornerstone is the continuous availability and global exchangeability, cost transparency and contractual independence.
EPAL’s DNA, the essence of which is independent quality assurance as well as legal action against counterfeit pallets, goes hand in hand with the EPAL system.
Environmental responsibility and sustainability are additional key components of EPAL’s DNA.
Thanks to the reusability of EPAL pallets in the open pool, logistics costs and CO2 emissions can be reduced. EPAL pallets can be repaired with lower materials and energy costs and at the end of their life cycle, are completely recyclable.
EPAL 2017 Results
Düsseldorf, January 19, 2018 – The European Pallet Association e.V. (EPAL) has announced a record result for 2017 of 115.8 million EPAL quality load carriers produced and repaired. Compared to the previous year, this is an increase of nearly 10%. In 2017, production figures alone rose by 9.7% to 88.3 million EPAL pallets, while repair figures climbed to 27.5 million; a solid increase of 10% compared to the previous year.
As for pallets in other parts of the world, the EPAL Euro pallet is considered an early indicator for the economies of the markets it serves. The rising economic barometer in economically strong countries over the past few years has driven the demand for EPAL Euro pallets to a peak last year. EPAL producers and repairers have been working at full capacity for months. The persistently high demand for sawn timber led to a shortage of the raw material in 2017 and a huge price rise in sawn timber for pallets, increasing cost pressure for EPAL pallet producers.
“The current demand peaks can be cushioned with sound planning and a long-term partnership between EPAL pallet producers, suppliers, and customers,” stated Martin Leibrandt, CEO of EPAL. “Trade and industry partners who planned at an early stage and who value long-term supplier relationships are being well provided for. The outstanding 2017 figures are the result of the joint work of all EPAL National Committees and licensees, and a sign that trade and industry are increasingly relying on independently tested quality and safety, which pay off in the long term.”
The EPAL system with its three pillars of consistent international standardization, independent quality assurance, and the protection and prosecuting of trademark rights infringements, guarantee users high-quality load carriers for efficient global logistics. EPAL Euro pallets can be reused several times and can be repaired cost-effectively, so they also conserve natural resources.
The European Pallet Association ensures a smooth flow of goods in the logistics world with over 450 million EPAL Euro pallets and 20 million box pallets in the world’s biggest open exchange pool. Founded in 1991 as the umbrella association of licensed producers and repairers of EPAL load carriers, EPAL is globally responsible for their consistent quality. EPAL pallets are produced from sustainably grown, CO2-neutral wood. They can be repaired and recycled, and reduce transport distances thanks to their high level of availability. As a registered association, EPAL does not pursue any commercial interests and makes all its decisions in the interests of its industry, trade and logistics partners. EPAL is represented in more than thirty countries by fourteen National Committees which have committed themselves to implementing the EPAL objectives.