CHEP Asia-Pacific received the Environmental Excellence in Logistics and Supply Chain Award at this year’s National Logistics and Supply Chain Awards in recognition of its development of returnable packaging associated with the production of GM Holden’s HFV6 engine.<[etk]>
CHEP’s program manager Brett Rennick said the award recognised the wide-reaching environmental and economic benefits associated with the use of returnable plastic containers.
“This was very much a joint venture project with Holden, from concept to delivery, and the credit needs to be shared equally with our partner,” Rennick said.
“In working closely with Holden, we set out to develop a packaging solution that not only met the project’s environmental and operational objectives, but also added value at every step in the supply chain.”
“We believe we have achieved this with our returnable plastic containers. They are very cost-effective, provide superior product protection and storage capacity, simplify handling and transport and improve occupational health and safety.”
“Overall, returnable plastic containers are an environmentally sustainable and economically attractive solution for a broad range of logistics applications.”
The HFV6 is assembled in Melbourne and is the global V6 engine for General Motors Corporation.
Cost-efficient and effective movement of inbound engine components is crucial to the success of the project and minimisation of environmental impact and waste is a high priority.
Durable plastic containers
The packaging designed and developed by CHEP for the HFV6 engine inlet and exhaust valves demonstrates that returnable plastic containers have major advantages over one-trip packaging used elsewhere in the automotive industry.
For example, the valve packs were specifically designed to double the yield of parts, compared to one-trip disposable packaging.
The packs have the durability to travel thousands of kilometres by sea, keeping components dry and rust free. Increased space efficiency means fewer trips are necessary while the smart pack design also provides transport cost reductions due to container cubic efficiency and nesting of empty packs for reverse logistics.
Labour costs are also reduced because “double handling” is eliminated through a ‘one-touch’ supply chain operation. The injection-moulded and thermoformed packs provide dimensional accuracy for robot loading by the vendor, after which they are handled only once, by the line assembly operator in Melbourne.
The packaging removes up to 3,575t of cardboard and waste from the supply chain each year as well as eliminating reject parts, cardboard dust and washing operations at the assembly plant prior to part end use. The modules can also be fully reground and used in the manufacture of next generation of part packs.
In addition to its work in the automotive industry, CHEP has also developed returnable plastic container solutions for the fast moving consumer goods market.
These include beverage trays and fresh produce cases, which enhance product quality and facilitate ‘one-touch’ merchandising by providing a display-ready package, significantly reducing labour requirements at retail store level.
CHEP Asia Pacific 02 9856 2450.