CHEP Equipment Pooling Systems has announced a renewed commitment to delivering supply chain savings to its customers. CHEP, the global leader in pallet and plastic container pooling services, represents the most viable solution for companies to avoid additional transport fees for white pallet management.
The CHEP pallet and container-pooling programme enables companies to benefit from cost savings, reduced product damage and an environmentally sustainable solution. The pooling programme’s ownership of the pallets/containers removes the need for costly recovery transport, and prevents unnecessary disputes between manufacturers, transporters and distributors.
CHEP’s renewed commitment comes in light of recent announcements from transport groups across Europe. The GRDP, a French association of perishable goods transporters, announced in May 2007, that it will charge its customers one euro (£0.67)€per white pallet as a management fee.
The ASTAG - a leading transport association in Switzerland - voiced discontent with the hidden costs, quality and environmental challenges associated with white pallet management. It announced that from January 1, 2008, pallets will be regarded as part of packaging, and the cost will be included in the final selling price of the goods. Pallet exchange will no longer be the norm in Switzerland, and customers wishing to have white pallets returned to their factories will therefore require an additional service, which will be charged by the transporters at a unit rate of CHF 2 (£0.67) per pallet. A similar decision was made in Denmark where transporters confirmed that they would no longer handle white pallet exchange for international flows and introduced significant charges for the domestic market.
Christophe Loiseau, senior vice president, CHEP Europe, said: “Decisions made by GRDP, ASTAG, and other transport organisations, make white pallet management costs visible to the manufacturers and the entire supply chain, where the new fees will be absorbed. At CHEP, we pride ourselves on helping customers achieve supply chain savings. And in the case of the additional transport fees for white pallet exchange, we can add value and help companies avoid unnecessary charges.”
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