Pallet News Briefs 2019
LPR – La Palette Rouge, the pallet pooling specialist, a division of Euro Pool Group, is accelerating its expansion into Central and Eastern Europe (C.E.E.) and announces the development of its support team in this region thanks to the appointment of Slavomir Sykora, in charge of Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary and Andrei Nicolae, in charge of Romania and Bulgaria.
LPR is responding to the growing demand of its customers, where more and more players in the mass retail market are operating in Central Eastern Europe and there is a need to support their supply chain requirements.
“Assisting and supporting our customers in their development, including internationally, is a priority for us. We are working with them to find solutions in a constant process of optimisation and profitability of the supply chain. Moreover, LPR continues to develop its service network across Europe,” indicated Xavier Goube, Managing Director of LPR.
Updated April 21, 2019
RM2 Expands Pallet Relationship with Leading Logistics Company
Following the success of a rigorous pilot phase, RM2 has announced an expanded agreement with one of the top five logistics companies in the world. RM2 reports that its ELIoT smart pallets will be used to transport, track, and trace sensitive pharmaceutical products as they move downstream to the world’s largest retailer.
RM2’s CEO, Kevin Mazula commented, “This deployment is especially encouraging as it supports world leaders in pharmaceuticals, logistics, and retail in their journey to digitalize their supply chains. We are excited to be accelerating our deployments of smart pallets into three major distribution centers, starting with an initial 150,000 annual pallet movements. Our sophisticated tracking and sensing devices capture invaluable data on movement, temperature and shocks as pallets loaded with these sensitive pharmaceutical products move through the supply chain. Our technology is valued because it is providing end-to-end visibility of shipments, certainty of delivery and cost savings.”
RM2 is also pleased to announce that it is making significant progress with other industry leaders. Satisfied customers in the food preparation sector (where pallet hygiene is of the utmost importance) have recommended RM2 to their suppliers, leading to abbreviated sales cycles and the rapid signature of new customers.
The Company is completing the final stages of streamlining its expenses, resulting in a significant decrease in SG&A. In addition, the Company is currently in discussions with sources of debt financing. Taking into account its current cash resources (approximately US$7.5 million at the end of March 2019) and revenues, the Company believes that its resources are sufficient to transition to debt funding of pallet production.
PECO Pallet’s Lisa Vegso Named to SCMA’s 100 Most Influential Women in Canadian Supply Chain
March 19, 2019 (Irvington, NY): PECO Pallet recently announced that Lisa Vegso, General Manager in Canada, was named to the Supply Chain Management Association™ (SCMA) inaugural list of 100 Influential Women in Canadian Supply Chain™ and awarded the prestigious Supply Chain Management Professional (SCMP) designation.
This first-ever list of Influential Women in Canadian Supply Chain includes a diverse group of C-Suite executives and corporate leaders, academics, professional service leaders, and other experts and influencers with Canada’s supply chain sector.
As Country General Manager, Canada for PECO Pallet, Lisa Vegso is responsible for the pooled pallet provider’s sales, service, operations, and overall business strategy in Canada. With over 20 years of experience in supply chain, transportation and logistics, Vegso has provided strategic leadership to guide PECO Pallet’s significant growth throughout Canada over the last few years.
“Individually, each of these women plays a critical role in driving value for their organizations, and, collectively, these 100 leaders are truly driving the Canadian economy,” said Christian Buhagiar, President and CEO, SCMA. “We are delighted to honour the career achievements of these 100 Influential Women in Canadian Supply Chain by conferring upon them the Supply Chain Management Professional (SCMP) designation, Canada’s most sought-after professional designation in supply chain.”
The SCMA will recognize these outstanding women at a special breakfast event in Montreal on Friday, May 31, as part of its 100th anniversary National Conference and Gala.
New Solid Deck Stackable Pallet Built With 9 Legs For Superior Stability
Chicago, IL – One Way Solutions announces the release of an economical, stackable pallet with 9 legs for excellent stability in many applications, including display. This 48 x 48 plastic pallet has a solid deck and 4-way entry that is compatible with nearly all fork trucks and hand trucks. As an extremely cost-effective shipping solution, the pallet also holds up to 572 units per truckload.
An important consideration has been taken to offer excellent safety handling and environmentally friendly components in this pallet:
- 100% recyclable
- Resistant to insects, bacteria and fungi
- No sirex treatment required
- Maintenance free
- Hygienic and clean
The product is now available on the One Way Solutions website and will ship out next business day to any location.
Moderation in retail sales growth in early 2019 predicted by the CHEP Retail Index
CHEP Retail Index: A lead indicator of Australian Bureau of Statistics retail trade data, based on transactional data from CHEP pallet movements.
1 February 2019 – Sydney Australia – Figures published in the latest edition of the quarterly CHEP Retail Index, which uses transactional data from CHEP pallet movements to provide a lead indicator of Australian Bureau of Statistics retail trade data, predicts moderated growth for retail turnover in the first quarter of 2019.
Index: Key figures
- 3.4% year-on-year retail growth for March 2018
- Turnover of $27.1billion in December 2018, with year-on-year growth for the month of December increasing to 3.4%
- On a quarterly basis, 3.6% year-on-year growth for the December quarter and decreasing to 3.4% for the March quarter.
Retail turnover has moderated slightly in the first quarter of 2019 as Australia continues its long run of uninterrupted economic growth, which has flowed through to the labour market resulting in strong job growth.
Consumer confidence affecting the Australian market has drifted lower as falling house prices offset good news from the labour market, and households are reverting to wages to drive retail spending.
Pallet movement data indicates that retailers are expecting sales to increase only slightly year on year following a relatively subdued Christmas period, as population growth and the labour market tightens and an increase in the number of consumers opting for online purchases over visiting physical stores.
Providing commentary on the Index, David Rumbens, partner at Deloitte Access Economics, said that, “Bricks and mortar retailers were optimistic heading into the Christmas period, however data suggests that sales may not have met the expectations implied by pallet movements”.
President of CHEP Asia Pacific, Phillip Austin, said, “CHEP is well placed to meet changes in customer purchase behaviour as technology expands consumer choice, our scale and density means we can be faster and more responsive to customers’ changing needs in physical and online markets, enabling a smarter, more sustainable supply chain”.
The CHEP Retail Index analysis and commentary is provided by Deloitte. It is recognised as a reliable lead indicator of Australian Bureau of Statistics retail trade data. To access the January 2019 Index and previous editions of the Index, please click here.
Saudi Pallet Manufacturing Company Signs a $90 Million Memo of Understanding for Paxxal Plastic Pallet Production and Logistics Partnership with Saudi Arabian Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC)
Noblesville, IN January 29, 2019– Saudi Pallet Manufacturing Company (SPMC), a multi-use plastic pallet manufacturer utilizing Paxxal Inc.’s proprietary plastic pallet technology and design, has signed a $90 million memorandum of understanding (MoU) with SABIC (Saudi Arabian Basic Industries Corporation). Under the MoU, SPMC will partner with SABIC to manufacture Paxxal pallets for export and develop supply chain initiatives for the local market.
The document was signed during the launch event of the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP) held January 28th, 2019 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Under the auspices of His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, NIDLP is the Kingdom’s largest and most impactful Saudi Vision 2030 Realization Program, which is aimed at transforming the Kingdom into a leading industrial powerhouse and a global logistics hub. The cooperation agreement between SPMC and SABIC exemplifies the joint partnership between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s public and private sectors to utilize locally sourced technology, increase local employment, utilize local resources (such as SABIC’s plastic), increase local GDP and much more.
Oar Shawaf, Chairman of SPMC, and Ben Stoller, CEO of Paxxal, were in attendance to sign the agreement. The MoU comes as a result of SABIC’s strategic initiatives to develop the localization of goods and services and enhance Saudi capabilities to meet the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
“We are proud to sign this MoU with SABIC and we highly appreciate SABIC’s efforts and vision to partner with a locally sourced technology company,” says Shawaf.
Stoller adds; “SPMC and Paxxal are honored to build on our partnership with SABIC which will enhance the local capabilities and develop the Saudi workforce, clearly reflecting the objectives of the country Vision 2030 initiative.”
Millwood Promotes Internally for Director of Human Resources
Business Growth Continues to Expand Departments
Vienna, Ohio, January 2019 – Tremendous growth at Millwood, Inc. in the last thirteen years has led to expansion within its Human Resources department. In 2006, Millwood employed 1,003 people. Today, that number is close to 1,700.
Courtney Russell, who was hired in August as a regional human resources manager, was promoted to director of human resources in December and will work closely with Executive Director of Human Resources/Chaplain Ministries Frank Hyatt to continue to cultivate the organizational culture and ensure Millwood’s four Pillars are expressed through the HR processes and functions.
Russell will also manage the human resources team members at other locations across the country. Under her leadership, the human resources team will continue to grow as needed to support all of Millwood’s 30 locations nationwide.
“I am excited for the opportunity to help Millwood, Inc. continue to grow and thrive as a business and employer,” Russell said. “I look forward to helping ensure our Pillars are woven into all we do as an employer and felt by our employees on all levels.”
Russell has more than 10 years of human resources experience and previously worked in the government sector. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in HR Management (MSHRM) and is certified as a SHRM Certified Professional and a PHR (Professional in Human Resources).
“Courtney is more than qualified and capable of leading the HR team at Millwood into the future as we continue to grow and evolve as one of the leading pallet suppliers in the United States,” Hyatt said.
Rehrig Pacific’s FM Approved Fire-Retardant Pallets Exceed Expectations in Rigorous Testing
Rehrig Pacific has announced the release of a new, highly durable, FM approved fire-retardant pallet, it reported in a press release. Virginia Tech University’s Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design put Rehrig Pacific’s new fire-retardant pallets through an exhaustive battery of tests designed to simulate real-world warehouse and supply chain conditions. Rehrig’s pallets survived as many as 200 cycles. The company stated that this durability accomplishment is a first for flame-retardant pallets on the market.
“This is just one more way we can serve Rehrig Pacific’s customers,” said Adam Gurga, National Manager of Rehrig’s Material Handling & Bulk Solutions group. “Distributors and manufacturers shouldn’t have to choose between durability and safety. From the beginning, we’ve designed our FM approved, fire retardant pallets to be strong, durable, and long-lasting so that Rehrig Pacific customers deliver the strongest long-term ROI possible for their supply chain operations.”
Rehrig Pacific’s pallets are non-halogenated fire retardant (NHFR), which sets them apart from much of their competition, it noted in the release. “It’s been a standard assumption in the industry that fire-retardant pallets are less durable than their counterparts without the FR designation, forcing suppliers and managers to choose between the short-term solution of wood and plastic’s sustainability, longevity, and safety. However, with Rehrig Pacific’s new NHFR technology, an FM approved fire-retardant option is now available that currently exceeds any other offerings for fire retardant pallets on the market.”
Virginia Tech University’s Center FasTrack testing program used ten of the new 48×40 NHFR GMA Series pallets and put them through a rigorous durability test, simulating handling in a warehouse environment. The results from these tests exceeded those of competitors and highlighted the superior engineering behind Rehrig products.