Morrisons renews container deal

CHEP shows it is about more than pallets as it renews a contract to manage reusable plastic containers in Morrisons' food supply chain

Supermarket chain Morrisons has renewed of a contract with CHEP UK & Ireland to issue reusable plastic containers into its food supply chain over the next five years. Neal Austin, logistics director at Morrisons and Dolph Westerbos, CHEP EMEA group president (both pictured) inked the deal.

Under the terms of the renewed contract, approximately 65 million issues of RPCs per year will be made by CHEP UK & Ireland to a variety of customers in the fresh produce, meat, poultry and ready-meal sectors, which then use the RPCs to transport their products to Morrisons. CHEP collects the empty containers from Morrisons' distribution centres, for inspection and washing, before they are issued once again.

Over the term of the contract, more than 325 million issues are expected to take place. Austin said the supermarket had developed a strong and collaborative relationship with CHEP since the two companies began working together four years ago.

"CHEP is no longer just an equipment provider," he explains.

"We have a genuine partnership built on value and trust that is committed to continuous improvement throughout our supply chain.We've seen a step change. They go the extra mile to meet demand for our own network and for our suppliers." Morrisons uses CHEP's pool in conjunction with its own pool of plastic trays, circulating throughout the supply chain serving 437 stores throughout the UK.

CHEP vice president & country manager, UK & Ireland,Mike Pooley adds: "We undertook a number of joint initiatives including an in-store training programme using videos and posters across Morrisons' network, specifically to improve equipment sorting and reduce waste. This saved 20 tonnes of waste across 7 of Morrisons' regional recycling units."