Reusable plastic pallet pooling system delivers efficiency and cost savings, companies report
Fruitnet spoke with Felix Van Ouytsel, Tosca’s sales director for UK/ Ireland & France, and Chelmer Foods director Simon Heather about how Tosca’s pooled reusable plastic pallets are enhancing efficiency at Chelmer.
Can you tell us a bit about Chelmer Foods and the challenges it was facing with its pallet management?
Simon Heather: Chelmer Foods is a leading supplier of dried fruits, nuts, seeds, and pulses, catering to industries such as cereal manufacturing, bakeries, snack foods, and food service suppliers. Due to our business growth, we faced mounting challenges managing thousands of pallets across four internal locations.
We were using around 6,000 second-hand plastic pallets sourced globally, but their inconsistent quality led to frequent breakages and operational inefficiencies. This was impacting customer satisfaction and consuming valuable resources for repairs and maintenance.
Felix Van Ouytsel: Chelmer Foods needed a reliable and efficient solution to replace their second-hand pallets, which were causing issues with durability and operational inefficiencies. We introduced our MP3/DIC 1210 pooled reusable plastic pallets, which are food-grade and consistently high-quality. This eliminated the problems of breakages and inconsistencies, helping Chelmer Foods to streamline their operations and enhance customer satisfaction.
How has switching to Tosca’s MP3/DIC 1210 pooled plastic pallets impacted your operations?
SH: The switch has been transformative. Tosca’s food-grade MP3/DIC 1210 pallets offer consistently high quality, which immediately eliminated the issues we faced with broken pallets. This not only improved customer satisfaction but also strengthened relationships with our existing customers, many of whom were already familiar with Tosca’s reliable service.
How does Tosca’s pooling system add value to businesses like Chelmer Foods?
FVO: Our pooling system takes the hassle out of pallet management by handling all aspects, including maintenance, repairs, and logistics. This means companies like Chelmer Foods can refocus their efforts on their core business while benefiting from the efficiency and cost savings that our pooling system delivers.
Has the transition to Tosca’s solution delivered any cost or efficiency benefits?
SH: Absolutely. Tosca’s pooling system relieved us of the burdens of pallet maintenance, repairs, and logistics. We no longer need to worry about pallet tracking or breakages, which has saved us significant time and resources. These efficiency gains have translated into lower overall costs, streamlining our operations and allowing us to focus on what we do best.
What’s next for the partnership between Tosca and Chelmer Foods?
SH: Tosca’s pre-existing relationships with many of our customers ensured a smooth transition. Looking ahead, we’re collaborating with Tosca on initiatives to further streamline our supply chain, such as using their pallets for inbound overseas deliveries and exploring foldable bins. Tosca has proven to be a flexible partner willing to adapt to our evolving needs, which is invaluable in an ever-changing market.
FVO: We’re continuing to collaborate on innovative solutions that adapt to Chelmer Foods’ evolving needs. Our focus is on helping them achieve long-term efficiency and sustainability in their operations, ensuring we remain a trusted partner as their business grows.
