Fifty years and counting for the plastic bread tray
This year marks an important landmark in the history of material handling, the 50th anniversary of a foundational retail reusable packaging asset, the plastic bread tray. Buckhorn Inc., a leading provider of reusable plastic packaging and material handling systems, first designed the bread tray back in 1965 for a major grocery retailer.
With measurements of 29” x 26” x 6”, the new breakthrough launched the beginning of an industry-wide conversion. Today, Buckhorn provides a complete range of bakery trays that deliver improved product protection, reduced transport costs, and increase productivity throughout the manufacturing and distribution supply chain for baked goods.
“Buckhorn has a history of innovation,” says Rob Tieman, Director of Sales and Marketing. “We also manufactured the first attached lid tote for distribution in the ‘70s and the first modular containers for automotive in the early ‘80s. We are continuously pursuing new product ideas and markets.”
“There aren’t many products more difficult to protect than bread or bakery items,” adds Kris Roach, Market Manager for Buckhorn. “And to this day, one of our main goals continues to be helping customers protect their most valuable assets, whether in storage or transport.”
One of North America’s leading providers of reusable plastic packaging systems, Buckhorn, is a Myers Industries, Inc. company (NYSE: MYE). Helping customers in the manufacturing, distribution, and food industries improve supply chain performance and reduce material handling costs, Buckhorn is focused on customer-driven innovation. The company offers a vast line of bulk boxes, hand-held containers, intermediate bulk containers, pallets, and specialty boxes. Call (800) 543-4454 or visit www.buckhorninc.com for more information.
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.
