Chep New Zealand has unveiled a new reusable produce crate (RPC) it claims will yield benefits throughout the supply chain.
The Lift Lock plastic prate, developed in conjunction with Chep’s European sister company IFCO, has a patented opening and closing mechanism, allowing the crate to be folded flat without the use of excessive force.
Available in three sizes, the crate’s modular design also allows for secure column stacking, offering growers, packhouses, wholesalers and retailers more flexibility when it comes to storage.
“The uniform size of the flat unit will speed up processing of this crate through our plant,” says Simon Watson, director of fresh produce supplier NZ Hothouse.
“We can immediately see a freight saving for our inbound crates, and will clearly require less space for storage.”
Paul Dennison, Chep New Zealand’s domestic and export director, says the crate’s scalloped wall design also improves cold storage practices, reduces chilling costs and offers greater longevity.
“The crate’s walls provide maximum airflow, extending shelf life of products, and reduces transport costs,” Dennison says.
“The Lift Lock crate is the most freight efficient RPC available in the world, drastically reducing total supply chain costs from grower to retailer, while offering freight efficiency gains of up to 80 per cent compared to current RPC’s.”
