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Archived Company News Please click on a news item below to read the complete news story. You may return to this menu at any time by clicking the "Top of Page" link following each news story.
Rehrig Pacific's Top 3 Tips to Maximize Plastic Pallet ROI LOS ANGELES, CA -- October 31, 2006 - Increasingly, businesses seeking to reduce transport-packaging costs are turning to reusable plastic pallets for shipping platforms. With high reuse and recovery rates provided through internal accountability, or third party logistics companies, the increased ROI of plastic pallets to manufacturing operations and warehousing are now being fully realized. To effectively maximize plastic pallet ROI, we consulted Rehrig Pacific's team of Material Handling Sales Specialists to identify the Top 3 Tips to help guide you before making a purchase or requesting a quote: Tip #1: Determine how the pallets are going to be used. Plastic pallets are available in many different sizes, configurations and load strengths including Nestable Pallets, Rackable Standard Pallets, Heavy Duty Pallets, Top Frame Pallets, Bulk Pallets, Beverage Pallets, Dairy Pallets, Distribution Pallets, Export Pallets and Specialty Pallets. Look for consistent dimensions and weights that work smoothly with most automated pallet handling equipment. Most often there are two kinds of pallets in the warehouse, Rackable Standard Pallets for storage and Nestable Pallets for transport. Rackable Standard Pallets come in a range of sizes for companies looking to better utilize warehouse space. Nestable Pallets are a key link in the retail, grocery and food service distribution supply chain that provide secure, cost-effective one-way shipping platforms when high load security is a factor. It's valuable to understand whether your pallets will be stored on the floor or on racks with full or edge-only support. Knowing the maximum load to be placed on the pallets and whether the loaded pallets will be stacked on top of each other will help determine what type of pallet is best. Tip #2: Determine the size and features you need. Plastic pallets come in many different sizes including 32x37, 36x38, 37x37, 37x43, 40x40, 44x56 and 48x48 but 40" x 48" is most common for storage and transport. What size are you looking for? Important features to consider include:
If returning pallets is not possible then cost is probably the ultimate feature. One-way plastic Export Pallets might be best for your operation. These pallets are sturdy and lightweight and have none of the phyto-sanitary restrictions facing wood pallets used for overseas shipments. Tip #3: Determine how many pallets you need and how soon you need them. Having a quantity in mind will help determine pricing and whether the pallets need to be manufactured or can be shipped from stock. It also helps to determine if this is a one-time need or if will you have additional requirements for pallets on an ongoing basis. If you are unsure about any of these considerations, then the best thing to do is call the Rehrig Pacific Pallet Hotline at 800-459-5663. Amy Lander will be happy to guide you through the RFQ process or schedule a call with one of our pallet sales specialists who can quickly assess your needs and advise the best pallets for your unique application. Rehrig Pacific Unveils Bottle Armor™ at IBWA Convention And Trade Show LOS ANGELES, CA -- October 19, 2006 - "Everyone's A Winner" was this year's International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) theme for the 2006 Convention and Trade Show held recently in Las Vegas, October 3 - 6. This theme was exceptionally well reflected by Rehrig Pacific with our introduction of Bottle Armor, a pneumatic racking system that utilizes compressed air to brace 3, 4, & 5-gallon water bottles to keep them from getting damaged in transit. At the heart of Rehrig's design is the belief that bottles that don't bounce...don't break. Bottlers who tried Bottle Armor validated that they too believe this concept and that Rehrig has a winning solution to the bottler's "leaker" problem. Increasing bottle life drastically cuts both fixed and variable costs for a bottler and increases operational efficiency. Eliminating packaging complaints means more satisfied customers and increased customer retention as well. Increased bottle retention creates a safer working environment and greater employee satisfaction, especially for drivers. According to Andrew Wiseman, Director New Market Development, "Bottle Armor, the indisputable innovative leader of this year's show, was well received by the Industry. The most common responses we heard after demonstrating our very unique solution were, 'What a great idea!', 'This is very well thought out!', and, most importantly, we were asked if they could buy Bottle Armor now!" What's next for Bottle Armor? One of the nation's largest home and office water delivery companies has agreed to replace their current racks with Bottle Armor in one of their operations to "run it through the paces," and see just how well it performs. Upon successful testing, they plan to convert their entire rack float over a 3 - 5 year period. Will Rehrig, President, commented, "After some scheduled tool revisions, Rehrig's Food & Beverage business group will be prepared to start supplying the industry in time for their next buying season. Bottle Armor also represents a significant international opportunity as well. Currently Rehrig is also reviewing the water markets in Asia, Latin America and Europe for direct sales and licensees." Rehrig Announces Nestable Pallet--Reliable, More Durable Link in the Supply Chain LOS ANGELES, CA -- February 28, 2006 - Rehrig Pacific Company, a world leading manufacturer of returnable plastic crates and pallets for industry, declared today the 40" x 48" HuskyLite® Nestable Plastic Pallet as a reliable and more durable link in the supermarket, foodservice and retail distribution supply chains. "We've applied the superior design and manufacturing advantages of high-pressure injection molding to solve several short-comings of the other molding techniques in use today," said J.P. Michaud, National Sales Manager for Rehrig Pacific's Plastic Pallet Group. "Our custom engineered injection molding process is able to mold complex geometric shapes and maintain precise tolerances. By reinforcing specific areas of the pallet that receive the most abuse we increase durability. This results in a nestable plastic pallet that we believe will last a full two to three years longer than comparable nestable pallets in the same supply chain." Michaud explained that the impact strength of Rehrig Pacific's co-polymer polypropylene resin far exceeds most HDPE resins found in twin sheet thermoformed nestable pallets. "Our Box Beam™ design gives the Rehrig Nestable Pallet additional stiffness and stronger welds, and an elastomeric additive eliminates brittleness," he said. "In testing conducted at a major distribution center, we found that they were often using two pallets to carry heavy loads. Their test with our product determined that they only needed to use a single Rehrig Nestable Pallet for the same load. This immediately translates into a substantial savings by having to buy fewer pallets per year." In addition to a superior molding process and materials, Rehrig Pacific's Nestable Plastic Pallets incorporate several design enhancements. These include a more effective perimeter deck-lip and leg grommets designed specifically to take heavy loads without scuffing or caving. Recognizing that nestable pallets are normally stacked and de-stacked by hand, Rehrig designers have added eight ergonomically located handles that studies have indicated can significantly reduce the risk of wrist injuries. Rehrig Pacific has been helping companies handle and transport a diverse range of products for more than 90 years. The Los Angeles-based company is an international company with licensees worldwide offering an ever-expanding product line that includes returnable plastic crates, carts, and pallets designed for handling, storing and transporting products in the agriculture, bakery, beverage, dairy, environmental and materials handling marketplaces. Rehrig Pacific Offers Lightweight, Restriction-Free Pallet Alternative for Export Shipping Market Los Angeles, California, November 14, 2005 - In response to increasing global import restrictions on wooden pallets and to provide a light-weight shipping alternative, Rehrig Pacific Company is pleased to announce the new RPX 4840 Export Pallet. This pallet is designed as an inexpensive, one-way alternative to a wood pallet, primarily for one-way shipping. The pallet is molded using 100-percent recycled material. The Export Pallet weighs about 17 pounds and boasts a dynamic load rating of at least 2,500 pounds. "This impressive strength-to-weight ratio is important in the export market due to weight limitations on shipments," said JP Michaud, Sales Manager, Material Handling Business Group for Rehrig. "Some exporters who use 50-pound plus wood pallets face the dilemma of "weighing out" before they "cube out" a shipping container." He continued, "This means they reach the weight limit before they can fill the container with product. Using Export Pallets they could ship about 700 more pounds of product per container." According to Mr. Michaud, this scenario could ultimately decrease the pallet's unit cost enough so that an exporter would be able to compete in a desired market. International standards are another driving force for plastic pallets in the export industry. The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), a unit of the United Nations, adopted a worldwide standard for international wood shipments, which came into force September 15, 2005 and includes serious penalties for violations. The standard requires wood pallets to be heat treated or fumigated and marked with the ISPM #15 stamps. This is quite expensive, but loads that do not meet these requirements are either rejected or destroyed in customs. Exporters, especially in the food industry, are moving quickly to plastic pallets to guarantee their loads will reach the desired locations. It is estimated that 80 million wood pallets were sold for export use in 2004. With the standardization of regulations like ISPM-15, Rehrig's RPX 4840 provides a sound and economical shipping solution. More about Rehrig Pacific Company: Rehrig Pacific is a world-leading manufacturer of reusable plastic containers and plastic pallets for handling and transporting retail and manufactured goods, produce, food and beverage products, and more. Based in Los Angeles, California, Rehrig Pacific is an international company with licensees worldwide offering an ever-expanding product line that includes reusable plastic crates, carts for waste collection and recycling, and pallets designed for handling, storing, and transporting products for industry. William H. Bloch Manager Global Logistics Rehrig Pacific Company 4010 East 26th Street Los Angeles, CA 90023 Direct: (323) 415-8713 Toll free: (800) 421-6244, ext. 713 Fax: (323) 269-8506 email: bbloch@rehrigpacific.com Rehrig Pacific Subsidiary Purchases Penn Pallet's Services Division Acquisition Broadens Rehrig's Supply Chain Assets Management Offerings to its Customers Los Angeles, California, June 10, 2005 -- Rehrig Penn, Inc., a new, wholly owned subsidiary of Rehrig Pacific Company, has announced that it has recently acquired all the service-related businesses of Penn Pallet, Inc. of St. Mary's, PA. These businesses comprise all activities involving asset recovery, pallet management, dock sweeps, and wood pallet resale. Penn Pallet will retain its two manufacturing facilities in Pennsylvania. Rehrig Penn has also purchased a 50% of Penn Pallet's equity in Penn-Alliance of Charlotte, NC, a national pallet sales & reclamation cooperative, to more effectively sell, track and reclaim wood pallet assets primarily within the retail sector. First Alliance Logistics Management is the other member of the new Penn-Alliance trio of companies. Commenting on the acquisition, First Alliance's CEO, Glenn Merritt, said, "Penn-Alliance is an emerging force within the returnable packaging industry. The addition of Rehrig Pacific to our arsenal of competitive weapons significantly increases the number of viable business opportunities. I really like our chances for continued success." "Penn Pallet has been an acknowledged expert in wood pallets and in pallet management in the Northeast for over 30 years - providing outstanding service to clear returnable assets out of distribution centers, as well as offering a variety of service options to retailers," said Matt Dannenfeldt, General Manager of Rehrig Penn. "To the recent launch of the logistics unit," he continued, "we have now added a foundation of service and infrastructure that will allow Rehrig to track, handle and manage various returnable assets through a variety of supply chains." He noted that Rehrig is expanding an already diverse offering of reusable transport packaging and platform solutions to a virtually unlimited number of industries. Both Rehrig Pacific and Penn Pallet have indicated their strong commitment in working together to advance ongoing challenges and developments in the pallet services industry. Rehrig Pacific Chairman Mike Doka observed that the acquisition of Penn's services is "a milestone event that will add to the competitive positions of the two companies." Dan Cunningham, President of Penn Pallet, added, "This acquisition will foster several positive changes in the pallet industry and allow Penn Pallet to better focus on our two Pennsylvania manufacturing locations." Will Rehrig, President, and fourth generation of the Rehrig family to lead the privately held company, commented, "This is a strategic acquisition, solidifying a platform for Rehrig's entry into the pallet service industry. Service and logistics represents a large and important piece of the company's future." More about Rehrig Pacific Company: Rehrig Pacific is a world-leading manufacturer of returnable plastic crates and plastic pallets for handling and transporting food and beverage products. Based in Los Angeles, California, Rehrig Pacific is an international company with licensees worldwide offering an ever-expanding product line that includes reusable plastic crates, carts for waste collection and recycling, and pallets designed for handling, storing and transporting products for industry. For further information, please contact: Matt Dannenfeldt General Manager, Rehrig Penn, Inc. Rehrig Pacific Company 7800 100th Street Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158 Direct: (262) 947-5505 Toll Free: (800) 934-3312 Fax: (262) 947-3355 email: mdannenfeldt@rehrigpacific.com William H. Bloch Manager Global Logistics Rehrig Pacific Company 4010 East 26th Street Los Angeles, CA 90023 Direct: (323) 415-8713 Toll free: (800) 421-6244, ext. 713 Fax: (323) 269-8506 email: bbloch@rehrigpacific.com Rehrig Pacific and Alcan Packaging: Supply Chain Partnership Creates Waste Stream Solution Alcan Packaging's Commitment to Environment Leads to Material Handling Relationship with Rehrig Pacific Company [This article has been published in the April issue of The Filling Business] Los Angeles, California, March 22, 2005 -- Companies in the business of creating high-barrier flexible packaging for food or beverages face a prickly question: What to do with the waste? For example, the blow-molding and thermoforming processes used in the manufacture of plastic bottles yield a percentage of waste material with each bottle produced. This waste is typically reclaimed by shedding or grinding and is known as regrind. In some container applications, more regrind is generated than can be consumed in the bottle or container manufacturing process. Alcan Packaging, part of Alcan Inc. and a world-leading producer of flexible barrier packaging for food, has arranged an effective supply chain solution to this problem. To keep the regrind in its manufacturing loop, two Alcan Packaging U.S. plastic bottles sites in Batavia, Illinois, and Bellevue, Ohio, are selling it to a material handling manufacturer that incorporates the regrind into transport packaging for a new beverage container. Rehrig Pacific Company of Los Angeles, California, was selected to injection mold the bulk pallets and top frames needed for this project. Paul Wright, Plant Manager of Alcan Packaging's Batavia plastic bottle plant, explains, "Alcan Packaging has a strong focus on environmental policies and reducing our waste stream. We strive to keep it within our supply chain. "The company has received numerous international awards for its environmental record -- including Canadian-based parent company Alcan's 2002 award for Sustainable Development Partnerships from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP.) To support the company's environmental commitment and to avoid a disposal cost, the Alcan Batavia site placed a high priority on finding an outlet for its regrind. Since the plant needed to purchase pallets and top frames for a specific container, using the regrind as part of the resin mix to mold the bottle seemed like a natural fit. Alcan's Paul Wright met JP Michaud, National Pallet Sales Manager for Rehrig Pacific Company at a 2003 trade show while looking, he said, "for a willing partner to handle a particular waste stream and supply value-added products." "Alcan Packaging had seen and expressed interest in Rehrig's pallets and top frames at Pack Expo," said Michaud, "and mentioned an upcoming need for a new high-barrier, multilayer plastic bottle it would introduce to the market last year. This presented an excellent engineering opportunity for Rehrig's manufacturing team to combine waste stream regrind with virgin Polypropylene without compromising quality, and to partner with another industry leader with an outstanding environmental record. "Arrangements were made for Alcan to supply the regrind material to the injection-molder for a trial run, producing the pallet to Alcan's specifications. Rehrig high-pressure injection molded the 44-by-56-inch bulk pallets and top frames, using custom colors specified to coordinate with the new bottles. After successful in-house testing for strength and durability, the pallets and top frames were tested at Alcan for unit-load handling. Both pallet and top frame performed well, and the deal was completed to supply the initial order. Since then, Rehrig has continued to supply the Alcan Packaging plants with reusable plastic pallets used for their closed loop applications with Alcan's existing customer base. According to Wright, Alcan has been able to establish a business relationship with Rehrig that fills their supply chain need with the added benefit of consuming a part of the plant's industrial waste. "Returning our regrind in the form of top frames and pallets," Wright says, "allows Rehrig to offset the purchase price. They also have the flexibility to accommodate color choice. It's a nice fit and has worked out well for both organizations." Closed loop operations and sustainable manufacturing practices are increasingly attractive alternatives to linear models. When companies reach across corporate lines for innovative waste-stream solutions, keeping the material in the manufacturing loop and bypassing landfill or third-party recyclers, both business and the environment can benefit with measurable results. Concludes Wright, "Rehrig Pacific has been a very supportive partner in our efforts to reduce our waste stream. They are open minded and understand the mechanics of a good supply chain partnership." About the companies: Alcan Inc. is a multinational, market-driven company and a global leader in aluminum and packaging, as well as aluminum recycling. With world-class operations in primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum as well as flexible and specialty packaging, aerospace applications, bauxite mining and alumina processing, Alcan is well positioned to meet and exceed its customers' needs for innovative solutions and service. Alcan employs approximately 73,000 people and has operating facilities in 55 countries and regions. For more information about Alcan, visit www.alcan.com; or Alcan Packaging, visit: www.alcanpackaging.com. Rehrig Pacific is the world's largest manufacturer of returnable plastic crates and plastic pallets for handling and transporting food and beverage products. Based in Los Angeles, California, Rehrig Pacific is an international company with licensees worldwide offering an ever-expanding product line that includes returnable plastic crates, carts, and pallets designed for handling, storing and transporting products in the agriculture, bakery, beverage, dairy, environmental, materials handling, and food marketplaces. For more information about Rehrig, please visit www.rehrigpacific.com. For further information on this story, please contact: JP Michaud National Pallet Sales Manager Rehrig Pacific Company 8875 Commerce Drive De Soto, KS 66018 USA Tel: (866) 265-4108 Fax (913) 585-1563 Media Contact Polly Moles Alcan Packaging 8770 West Bryn Mawr Avenue Chicago, IL 60631 USA Tel 773-399-3696 Fax 773-399-3330 polly.moles@alcan.com Rehrig Pacific's Heavy Duty Plastic Pallet Earns UL2335 Classification, Meets GMA Rack Strength and NSF Sanitation Standards New HD228-FR Plastic Pallet has Burning Suppression Characteristics Equivalent to or Better than Wood. Los Angeles, CA. - April 23, 2004 - Rehrig Pacific Company, a world-leading manufacturer of returnable plastic pallets and crates for industry, has launched the HD228-FR pallet. The 48x40 pallet has just received Underwriters Laboratories' UL2335 Classification for fire safety. The HD228-FR, along with its non fire-retardant version HD228, has already passed National Sanitary Foundation (NSF) testing for sanitation, and meets Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA) requirements with a true 2-inch, 2800-lb edge-racking capability. The HD228-FR pallet is the first in the industry to meet all three of the primary industry testing standards. It fills a void in the market for a heavy-duty plastic pallet that combines strength and durability with fire safety and economy. The HD228-FR pallet was designed "from the bottom up with NFPA 13 compliance and UL standards in mind" said Trent Overholt, National Accounts Manager for Rehrig Pacific, adding that the fire issue was one of the most challenging components in the pallet's design. "Some plastics and plastic pallets can be engineered to perform equally well or better than wood pallets during a fire," he said. "When a fire starts, both wooden pallets and plastic pallets will burn. What we are concerned with," he continued, "is HOW they respond when the sprinklers come on. Is the fire suppressed quickly? Does it flare up violently? Is it initially suppressed, but then spreads throughout the warehouse - these characteristics are essentially what UL tests." NFPA 13, Standard for Installation of Sprinkler Systems, recognizes UL 2335 Classified plastic pallets as performing at parity with or better than wood pallets during a fire with respect to sprinkler protection. Therefore, Rehrig Pacific UL Classified plastic pallets can be introduced into any warehouse that uses wooden pallets without modifying the current sprinkler system. Overholt emphasized that achieving UL Classification "is final proof to Fire Marshals, AHJs [Authorities Having Jurisdiction] and other interested parties that the HD228-FR is equal to or better than wood in its burning suppression characteristics." The HD228-FR and HD228 pallets set new durability and performance standards because of their unusual, hybrid design, which, describes Overholt "utilizes non-corrosive interior frames within the top and bottom decks, and multiple types of plastic resins to perform specific roles." Because of their innovative construction, the HD228-FR and HD228 meet all performance requirements "without a full cruciform bottom deck, which means less damage from hand trucks," Overholt said, adding, "We did this without the typical weight and cost penalty you see in the Heavy Duty and Fire-Retardant class of pallets" During the pallet's 2-year development process, Rehrig Pacific's product design team worked with other testing agencies and firms to develop important aspects of its functionality. The NSF, an independent international testing agency based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, was engaged to ensure that the design met the highest industry standards for sanitation in food handling. "We required that the interior support frames be corrosion resistant," said Sung Choe, NSF Program Representative, "which Rehrig Pacific achieved with a substrate coating. We also required that the surfaces be smooth with no deep inclusions - basically looking for areas where food could be trapped. Rehrig's final design was well within our standard." Rehrig Pacific's team also worked with Ergonomics Technology Corporation (ETC), New York, to develop the number and placement of handles, along with other critical ergonomic factors. In conclusion, Overholt said, "We're very excited about these highly durable pallets and their ability to carry 2800 lbs with a 2-inch edge rack. Further, there is an added cost-savings with the non-FR HD-228 for the user who has already invested in modern sprinkler protection." Chief characteristics of the HD228-FR and HD228 Pallets:
For pallet and fire code compliance information contact: Trent Overholt, National Accounts Manager Rehrig Pacific Company 4010 East 26th Street Los Angeles, CA 90023 Phone: (323) 415-8754 Fax: (323) 269-8506 For sales and product information contact: Michele Hoeft, Inside Sales and Customer Service Representative Rehrig Pacific Company 8875 Commerce Drive DeSoto, KS 66018 Phone: (913) 585-1175 Toll free: (800) 546-4993 Fax: (913) 585-1563 Rehrig Pacific Announces Introduction of New Tilt-and-Roll Organic Cart for Canadian Municipalities; U.S. Introduction to Follow Demand across Canada for improved methods to collect and manage organic waste stimulates development of new cart. LOS ANGELES, CA - November 24, 2003 - Rehrig Pacific Company, a world-leading manufacturer of roll-out carts, cans and recycle bins for the curbside collection of household waste and recyclables, announced today that it is introducing its new 40-liter Organic Cart to the Canadian market as part of the company's continuing collaboration with municipalities' research efforts to more efficiently collect and manage organic waste. Introduction in the United States will follow as municipalities begin to offer organic waste recycling programs there also. According to CBC News, Canada produces more than 21,000,000 tons of garbage annually, giving it the distinction of being one of the top five countries in the world when it comes to the amount of waste each citizen produces. Of this, more than 64% is comprised of food and garden waste, along with paper products, according to an Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development report. The composting industry in Canada literally tripled in growth during the last half of the 1990s. In Canada, organic waste management not only makes good sense, it's good business, and Rehrig Pacific has been at the forefront in developing collection products to meet the increasing demand. "Rehrig Pacific has been one of the pioneers of the organic collection program in Canada for the past six years," said Paul Speed, Canadian Sales Manager for Rehrig Pacific. "Nearly a million Canadians are already using our products. We've listened to their concerns and worked closely with haulers and collectors, as well as the municipalities, in designing our new 40-liter Organic Cart to be both highly functional and attractive in order to appeal to the consumer in an effort to encourage recycling of organic materials." The reinforced and sturdy 40-liter Organic Carts are constructed using Rehrig's durable, high-density polyethylene resin and high-pressure injection molding techniques that assure long-term use and continual cost savings. The pre-assembled carts are well balanced, have no internal catch points, and are designed with multiple grab areas for ease of handling. Additional features that make the carts more user-friendly include nest stops that prevent the carts from sticking together when stacked; four ground contact points that provide increased stability; and lid locking mechanisms that make the carts highly rodent resistant. These carts can also be hot stamped' with corporate or municipal logos or slogans like our other curbside collection carts and recycle bins. "Our involvement in the Canadian composting programs has evolved along with the country's efforts to control organic waste," Speed said. "We've put a lot of programs in place in the provinces, particularly one where we use 65-gallon carts for organic diversion. But in the large cities with small households and no yard waste, we needed something smaller and more aesthetically pleasing so people would feel comfortable bringing the carts into their kitchens, if desired. Rehrig Pacific put a lot of user oriented research and development time into the design of this new cart, which yielded a clever snap-on handle that rotates upward like some carry-on luggage to make it easier to tilt and roll the cart out to the curb. I like to think of it as a marriage of functionality in the home with a street-tough design." More About Rehrig Based in Los Angeles, Rehrig Pacific is an international company with nine production facilities or sales offices throughout North America and licensees worldwide offering an ever-expanding product line that includes returnable plastic crates and pallets for industry, designed for handling, storing and transporting products in the agriculture, bakery, beverage, dairy, meat, environmental and materials handling marketplaces, besides curbside collection carts and bins. Rehrig Pacific Announces Strategic Relationship with Tosca Limited for Introduction of New Case-Ready Meat Tray Increased demand from retailers across the country to cut costs and decrease liability from contamination spurs growth of case-ready meats. LOS ANGELES, CA - September 4, 2003 - Rehrig Pacific Company, a world-leading manufacturer of returnable plastic crates and pallets for industry, announced today that it has partnered in a strategic relationship with Green Bay, WI-based Tosca Limited, a leading container management company, for the introduction of its new case-ready meat trays. The trays are designed specifically for the pre-packaged, case-ready market as it continues to grow, replacing the need to cut or process meat at the store level. According to an American Meat Institute (AMI) study, more than 92,000 retail stores have moved to value-added, case-ready products, selling 1.2 billion packages (in 2000). This represents a doubling every two years. The AMI estimates the market has a potential of 9 billion packages being sold in three years. "When Tosca approached us to produce this new tray, we saw this as a tremendous opportunity to get into the case-ready meat industry in a strong way now and in the future," said Matt Dannenfeldt, National Sales Manager for Rehrig Pacific. "The relationship works because of Rehrig's capability to mass produce a high quality, durable, long-lasting tray and Tosca's nationwide reach to manage on a daily basis the distribution, pickup, cleaning and recycling of the trays to the retailers." From the beginning, the two companies worked closely in the design and initial introduction throughout the East and Midwest, and, over the next few months, will continue to roll out the product across the nation. "We've been pooling containers and trays since 1960," said Mike Fechter, Vice President of Tosca. "We manage containers for the nation's largest cheese producers and breweries, as well as for growers and various other industries throughout the U.S. and Canada. One of our major partners is Kroger (which also operates nationwide under the names of: Ralph's, Fred Meyer, Cala/Bell, Quality Food Centers, Smith's Food and Drug, Fry's, and more), and as a major case-ready meat producer, they wanted us to come up with a returnable tray." "It just so happens, plastic is a good medium to use for this type of packaging. We approached five manufacturers for the project and Rehrig Pacific had the best design that fit Kroger's requirements. It was also helpful that we've dealt with Rehrig in the past with other projects, such as a spinach crate for the produce industry, so we were comfortable in partnering on this product with them." Fechter went on to explain that this need for returnable plastic trays has spread quickly to the meat industry not only due to the savings a returnable tray offers, but also because of the nationwide concern about cross contamination. "Sanitation and purity of the beef products, along with the potential for liability to individual stores that are cutting and trimming meat in the back room are driving the case-ready industry," he said. "It takes hundreds of thousands of trays to be able to offer this as a tool to a company like Kroger. Working as a third-party provider (with Rehrig), we can supply the container, take care of the sanitation concerns, repairs, and the logistics anywhere in the country through our strategically-located satellite facilities." By partnering on this product, both companies are able to better concentrate on their core businesses. "This relationship frees Rehrig to produce the trays in sufficient quantities to guarantee a successful introduction throughout the country, while Tosca can concentrate on establishing more markets for its rental and recycling efforts without concern that it will be continually supplied with product. It's truly a win-win situation," Dannenfeldt said. In its report on case-ready meats, the AMI points out a strong argument in support of Rehrig's and Tosca's contention that the opportunity for growth and expansion in the market is significant: "Case-ready products are expected to expand rapidly over the next three years. Stores using case-ready products on average have experienced a 3.8 percent sales growth within their meat departments." The versatile meat trays have two stacking heights, for more efficient unit loads, and are constructed using Rehrig's durable copolymer polypropylene resin and high-pressure injection molding techniques that assure long-term use and continual cost savings throughout the supply chain when pooling them through Tosca to retailers. Dannenfeldt said that Rehrig's case-ready meat trays offer an immense long-term savings potential to retailers over corrugated packaging that has to be thrown away after only one use. He explained further that through the pooling agreement with Tosca, the trays not only help eliminate the potential for cross-contamination of E. coli bacteria and Listeria monocytogenes, but they also provide a consistent product offering for the consumer, and increased profitability for the retailer by reducing labor costs as well. More About Rehrig Based in Los Angeles, Rehrig Pacific is an international company with licensees worldwide offering an ever-expanding product line that includes returnable plastic crates, carts, and pallets designed for handling, storing and transporting products in the agriculture, bakery, beverage, dairy, environmental, materials handling, and now meat marketplaces. More About Tosca Limited Headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, privately held TOSCA LIMITED is housed in over 200,000 square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space and is operated by a staff of over 100 employees. TOSCA LIMITED is a leader in container management, including container reconditioning, repair, logistics, and recycling. Although TOSCA services more types of businesses than ever before, its focus remains on container management. TOSCA's staff is continually researching ways to increase productivity, save space, and even how to save money while protecting the environment. TOSCA offers container management services for a wide variety of businesses and industries including: agriculture, food, produce, electronics, pharmaceutical, automotive, paper, and more. Rehrig Announces the First Round Containers for Municipal and Private Haulers Designed to be Emptied Manually or with Automated Lifters LOS ANGELES, CA - April 7, 2003 - Rehrig Pacific Company, the world's largest plastic container manufacturer, announced today the introduction of the first round containers for municipal and private haulers designed to be emptied manually or with automated lifters. The new cans are available in two sizes, 25 gal. (95 liter) or 32 gal. (120 liter), and share the same lid. Both can be used for curbside recycling or yard waste, organic waste or household refuse collection. Rehrig Pacific has been helping companies handle and transport a diverse range of plastic products for more than 90 years. The Los Angeles-based company has licensees worldwide and has a product line that includes crates and pallets designed for handling, storing and transporting products in the agriculture, bakery, beverage, dairy, environmental and materials handling marketplaces. Rehrig will buy back current Rehrig Pacific curbside recycling bins at market price and apply material value as a reduction to the selling price. Both containers come with a five year pro-rated warranty. The new 25- and 32-gallon containers' features and benefits include:
LOS ANGELES, CA - October 2002 - When Mike Williams, Director of Logistics, of Pharmavite LLC based in Northridge, CA switched to Rehrig Pacific plastic pallets in 2000, the decision was based on economics and quality control. According to Williams, "We had a real problem with product damage caused by broken wooden pallets. Splinters and loose nails were snagging our bags and cartons. Broken pallets were unsafe to handle and to stack and were too expensive to repair; so we switched to Rehrig plastic pallets." Purchased through Plastic Pallet & Container in Hudson, Ohio, Rehrig's HuskyLite® pallets immediately produced savings in Pharmavite's operations. However, when the issue of fire safety was raised, Williams did not want to upgrade his sprinklers to meet NFPA 13 standards unnecessarily, nor did he want to sacrifice the newly gained advantages of plastic pallets. Fortunately for Williams, Rehrig's new line of UL Listed, flame retardant (FR) pallets were just being introduced. "Rehrig's 37" x 37" and 40" x 48" FR pallets are the perfect solution," says Williams. "We get the advantages and savings of plastic pallets and meet all of the fire safety requirements too. This is a clear advantage for Pharmavite." Rehrig's New Bulk Pallet: Providing a Stronger, Harder-Working, Longer-Lasting Pallet for the Material Handling Industry LOS ANGELES, CA - September 2002 - Recognizing that bulk pallets have become a staple of the container manufacturing and filling industry, Rehrig Pacific focused on significantly improving the concept-- in effect successfully redesigning the entire packaging parameter. The major differentiating attribute is the manufacturing process itself. While most others use high-density polyethylene, Rehrig employs a copolymer propylene combination that provides both stiffness strength and increased impact resistance. Furthermore, Rehrig's use of high-pressure injection molding versus structural foam also allows for a better strength-to-weight ratio. The key difference is the two-piece pallet design that has no connectors and behaves as a one-piece pallet, thereby eliminating repair costs and providing tremendous durability over the competition. Another Rehrig design advantage is our use of chamfered edges around the perimeter of the strapping receiving area, significantly improving distribution of strap tension on the load. The Rehrig BULK PALLET--it'll work harder and last longer for you. Thinner Yet Stronger: Rehrig Top Frames Deliver Savings that are Attracting International Attention LOS ANGELES, CA - February 2002 - North America's leading bottle and can manufacturers are converting from other wood and plastic top frames to the clear advantages of the new Rehrig Top Frame. The patented Rehrig Top Frame features a solid, four-sided, reinforced box beam design. The encapsulated ribs ensure stiffness and eliminate dirt traps addressing one of the filling industry's biggest concerns, that of bringing unsanitary debris into the filling line. Our 1.0 in. (25.4mm) thickness also ensures maximum height unit loads in trailers. Greater stability, maximum load-outs, and lower replacement costs mean that Rehrig Top Frames benefit container manufacturers and fillers alike. International bottlers cite several attributes as the deciding factors in favor of Rehrig, including the increased strength to weight ratio, reinforced box beam design, significant sanitation benefits, and cost-effectiveness through reduced repair and replacement costs. Plastic Pallet Breakthrough: Rehrig Pacific's 5 New Flame Retardant UL Listed Pallets LOS ANGELES, CA - January 2002 - In a major breakthrough and in a move that addresses one of the industry's leading concerns, Rehrig Pacific announces the launching of a family of five UL Listed Flame Retardant pallets. According to Trent Overholt, Rehrig New Product Senior Manager, "A simultaneous launch of this many UL Listed pallets is unprecedented. The UL Stamp is synonymous with quality and safety, the UL 2335 Classification means Rehrig plastic pallets can be introduced into any warehouse without any increased risk. In the past, when a customer wanted to convert to plastic pallets, there were two expensive ways to address the fire issue. You could upgrade your sprinklers to NFPA 13 standards, or you could comply with inefficient handling and storage practices. Now, you can buy plastic pallets that are UL Listed for equivalency to wood. Moreover, Rehrig is presenting a very cost-effective FR pallet solution with a choice of five footprints". UL Senior Account Executive-Fire Protection, Kevin Faltin commented, "The UL Mark - the American Mark of Safety - is the most accepted, trusted and recognized safety certification Mark in the United States. By obtaining UL authorization to apply the Classification Mark to a particular pallet, Rehrig Pacific has demonstrated a concern for fire safety and the ability to produce a pallet in accordance with UL2335." Rehrig Pacific has developed a plastic pallet with no additional fire risk plus all the features and benefits of plastic over wood such as cleanliness, weight advantages, and superior strength as well as enhanced ergonomics. Rehrig Pacific Company Introduces New Collapsible Crates For Returnable Systems LOS ANGELES, CA - May 1999 - Rehrig Pacific Company has introduced a new line of plastic collapsible crates for material handling applications in industry and agriculture. The new totes fit both metric (1.2m x 1.0m) and standard 48" x 40" pallets so they work equally well for global, national, or regional manufacturers, distribution systems, food growers and processors. These crates fold inward for compact shipping and storage when empty while achieving new levels of rigidity for collapsible containers when loaded and stacked. Straight walls offer more efficient use of space than tapered nestable or bale arm totes. Available in four different heights from 13.3cm - 34.0cm (5.24" - 13.39") these crates are highly nestable and stackable when collapsed. The Snap-Tite™ locking system insures stable shipping units and reduces the risk of product damage from collapsed loads. New Pinch & Pull™ quick release latches enable efficient assembly and breakdown of the containers increasing productivity. Well ventilated bottoms and side walls increase cooling efficiency and shelf life for perishable products. Ergonomic features provide maximum comfort and safety and reduce handling injuries. Rehrig collapsible crates are available for lease from Chep (USA and worldwide) or may be purchased directly from Rehrig Pacific. Patents are pending. *Snap-Tite™ and Pinch & Pull™ are trademarks of Chep USA Rehrig Pacific Company Introduces General Purpose Plastic Pallet LOS ANGELES, CA -- December 1998 -- Rehrig Pacific Company introduces its new 40 x 48-inch (1016 mm x 1219 mm) general purpose plastic pallet. As the second addition to their growing line of rackable plastic pallets, this medium-duty design is the perfect alternative to the standard wood pallet for most material handling applications. Pallets are a relatively new line for the 85-year old Rehrig Pacific Company which is known worldwide for its plastic beverage crates. As with Rehrig's other products, the pallets are injection molded to achieve consistency and uniformity for improved operational efficiency. This process eliminates the need for metal fasteners, which can work loose and damage the load or injure the operator. "The rugged and durable 2-piece design offers substantially longer life than wood, with fewer repairs" says Phil Thwaits, Pallet Group Manager. The stability of the pallet design with the extra large surface area in the bottom deck allows higher stacking for better utilization of warehouse space. They are compatible with automated handling equipment with tapered bottom edges allowing easy four-way entry and exit. Thwaits added, "The FDA approved plastic resin will not absorb moisture or bacteria and the roughened top deck eliminates the slippage that could occur with other plastic pallets." Rehrig Pacific has designed and manufactured plastic containers for the dairy, environmental, agricultural, bakery, material handling and beverage industries since 1913. For more information or to get a pallet cost analysis done for your business, contact Rehrig Pacific at 4010 E. 26th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90023, telephone (800) 421-6244; fax (323) 269-8506; email info@rehrigpacific.com. Rehrig Pacific Company Introduces 3rd Generation Castle Crates LOS ANGELES, CA -- October 1998 -- Rehrig Pacific Company, long known for advances in plastic beverage crates, introduces a new generation of 2-liter Castle Crates. "Along with new developments in pallet picking equipment and the creation of new proprietary bottles, we had a special request from a bottler and took the opportunity to design a new crate for general use," comments Director of Beverage, Ken Smith, "These new crates incorporate all the features that have made our past designs successful, plus we made some improvements." Slightly taller castles hold straight wall as well as new proprietary bottles securely in place. A new low profile handle incorporates Rehrig's patented palm-up, palm-down design, while making the entire crate more rigid to work smoothly in automated pallet picking equipment. The large display windows enable easy label identification and UPC scanning. The crates use bright, non-heavy metal colors to produce highly visible store displays. Like all Rehrig products, these crates are made from injection molded recyclable HDPE plastic for consistency and long life. Rehrig Pacific has designed and manufactured plastic containers for the dairy, environmental, agricultural, bakery, material handling and beverage industries since 1913. For more information contact Rehrig Pacific at 4010 E. 26th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90023, telephone (800) 421-6244; fax (213) 269-8506; email Contact Us. Rehrig Pacific's Plastic Pallets Deliver LOS ANGELES, CA -- October 1998 -- Rehrig Pacific Company's all-plastic alternative to the standard wood pallet is now in full production, announced Ken Smith, Director of Beverage for Rehrig. "We've successfully tested these pallets at more than 20 sites this past year and we're delivering quantities for the conversion process as we speak." The pallets are a new line for the 85-year old Rehrig Pacific Company which is known worldwide for its plastic beverage crates. As expected, the pallets have special design considerations for the handling of beverages. Smith cited the non-skid surface and the unique bottom deck design that provides maximum surface area as the features that are particularly important to the beverage industry. Other features include an extremely high-load rating, which allows the pallets to be rackable and stackable, fitting all standardized racks. They are also compatible with automated handling equipment. With the same injection molding process used in its beverage crates, the pallets are made with remarkable consistency and uniformity. The process also eliminates the need for metal fasteners, which can sometimes work loose and damage the load. Rehrig has years of experience developing plastic containers in the dairy, environmental, agricultural, bakery, material handling and beverage industries. Rehrig Pacific Company has supplied quality containers to the beverage industry since 1913. For more information or to get a pallet cost analysis done for your business, contact the Rehrig Pacific Company at 4010 E. 26th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90023, telephone (800) 241-6244; fax (323) 269-8506; email info@rehrigpacific.com. 60 Million Castle Crates Sold LOS ANGELES,CA --February 1998 -- More than 60 million returnable plastic "Castle" style beverage crates have been sold world-wide, more than any other single plastic beverage crate, announced the manufacturer, Rehrig Pacific Company. Initially designed for non-returnable, two-liter PET beverage bottles, these returnable crates are environmentally conscious and economical saving bottlers hundreds of millions of dollars in disposable packaging costs and eliminating millions of tons of packaging waste from landfills since their introduction in 1988. The proprietary design features unique elements to optimize stability on pallets, reduce handling injuries and speed delivery. Used for transporting product between bottlers, distributors and retailers these merchandising crates allow quick assembly of eye catching in-store displays without removing bottles from the crates. Highly nestable when empty, Castle Crates take up little storage space in warehouses and trailers and their uncommon construction minimizes crate theft by rendering them impractical for other storage applications. Rehrig Pacific has supplied quality crates for the beverage industry since 1913. Rehrig's full-range of beverage products includes the Castle Crate®, Can Tray, Merchandiser® Crates for 6/20 oz., 500ml/600ml and one-liter bottles, Bag-In-Box crates, rackable plastic pallets, and Basket Track® cooler shelf organizers. For more information, write the Rehrig Pacific Company at 4010 E. 26th St., Los Angeles, CA 90023, phone 800/241-6244 or fax 213/269-8506. New Beverage Dispensing System Keeps Coolers Looking Sharp LOS ANGELES, CA -- December 1997 -- A unique cooler display system which keeps bottles conveniently organized has been developed and introduced by Rehrig Pacific. The innovative new Basket Track ® system suspends bottles from the neck which keeps them from tipping, prevents messy coolers and maximizes cooler space for better pack out, announced Ken Smith of Rehrig Pacific. Basket Track is simple to install and use. The modular units fit any size cooler, and baskets at the front of the track hold the first bottle within clear view and easy reach of the consumer. Reducing cooler maintenance time for route drivers and Merchandisers, it holds 11 bottles per row instead of the usual eight and can be loaded from the front or the back. The system is designed for 20-ounce and 1-liter bottles with 28mm or 38mm closures. The system, formerly called Fast Lane, was recently renamed to better describe its features. "Retailers especially like their neater coolers and the reduced time spent every day restocking and straightening fallen bottles," said Smith. "Best of all, consumers don't have to change their buying habits or waste time searching for their favorite brand. They can just grab it and go." Rehrig Pacific has supplied quality crates for the beverage industry since 1913. Rehrig's full range of merchandising crates includes the Castle Crate®, Can Tray, Merchandiser® Crates for 16/20-ounce, 500ml and 1-liter bottles, returnable Bag-In-Box, and a host of crates for 1-, 2- and 3-liter bottles. For more information, contact the Rehrig Pacific Company at 4010 E. 26th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90023, telephone (800) 421-6244 or fax (213) 269-8506. Rehrig Pacific Expands Production To Meet Waste Hauler Needs LOS ANGELES, CA -- In response to demands from public and private waste haulers, Rehrig Pacific Company is now shipping plastic roll-out carts from a second, newly expanded, full production facility located in Los Angeles, California. By adding cart production to the company's Los Angeles plant, Rehrig Pacific, which has previously done all cart manufacturing in Atlanta, can now provide faster delivery to the growing roll-out cart market, thanks to its bi-coastal manufacturing capabilities. "The economic benefits to be gained from automated and semi-automated waster pick-up have created increased demand for Rehrig's Universal cart, " says Bill Mashy, Rehrig's National Waste Manager. "Our ability to meet customer product demands expeditiously has been substantially enhanced by having manufacturing facilities on both coasts," he added. Mashy said that the company has also broadened its product line, now offering 20, 25, 65 and 95-gallon carts to better serve the needs of municipalities and waste haulers. The company also manufactures 65 and 95-gallon models specifically designed to accommodate green waste. Rehrig's recent multi-million dollar investment in its California production facilities will enable the company to reduce delivery time and improve its service to western market. "This investment and expansion is evidence of our strong commitment to the waste management industry and it's also a key component of our plan to consistently deliver carts within 3-4 weeks of receiving an order," Mashy explained. Municipalities such as Lexington, KY and Mesa, AZ are using HuskyLite carts in order to take advantage of the labor savings that automated collection provides. "Our customers want long product lifetimes and short product delivery times," said Mashy. "Our quality provides the former and our newly expanded production capability can now ensure the latter." Custom Two Liter "Wave" Crate Developed For Coca-Cola LOS ANGELES, CA--June 1, 1996--Rehrig Pacific has introduced the new Wave Crate, a unique beverage crate developed for Coca-Cola's two liter contour bottle which incorporates the famous logo structurally into the crate's side wall. Featuring broad windows to show both bottle label and profile, the Wave Crate promotes in-store merchandising and is specifically designed for building high-visibility end-aisle or free-standing displays in supermarkets and convenience stores. Incorporating several of Rehrig's patented features, the new crate incorporates Rehrig's proprietary, ergonomically designed, "palm-up/palm-down" handle which reduces wrist and back strain for route drivers when unloading crates and building displays. And the Wave Crate's large window design also allows easy access for UPC code scanning. The Wave Crate will be introduced nationwide by Coca-Cola bottlers throughout 1996. Rehrig Pacific has supplied quality crates for the beverage industry since 1913. Rehrig's full range of merchandising crates includes the Castle Crate®, Can Tray, Merchandiser® Crates for 16/20 oz., 500ml and one-liter bottles, returnable Bag-In-Box, and a host of crates for one, two and three-liter bottles. For more information, contact the Rehrig Pacific Company at 4010 E. 26th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90023, telephone (800) 241-6244 or fax (213) 269-8506. |
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