Rented Pallet Systems
- How do they operate?
Across the globe, these leading rental
companies offer their services, many focusing on a particular region, working with
a core product range. Some have extended their offerings to include additional pallet
management services, however you have to ask the question of being 100% dependant
on the supplier. By having independent advice, will it help you make that decision?
Each pallet or RTP (Returnable Transit Packaging) "Service Offer" and specification
is unique to the next supplier, with a special set of requirements to deliver that
service. You must be fully knowledgeable on and recognise any possible future benefits
or liabilities.
When hiring pallets, you may focus around the pallet "Trip Cost";
there can also be potential risk and liability should you lose the pallets. You need
to be aware these are additional costs.
Pallet Rental / Pooling systems does offer
exceptional benefits, but to deliver these benefits, needs the full support of your
business to implement and maintain control.
What are the Service Offers?
Here we will talk about many of the suppliers.
Chep, also sometimes referred to as "gkn chep", although owned by Brambles for many
years, use a well designed "Pricing Architecture", that is a standard method of charging,
using the same principle for most, if not all products. However many businesses may
focus on a Service Offer in negotiations and it's projected "trip cost" for their
pallets.
All suppliers have pricing made up of a series of charges and possible surcharges,
depending on your activity and related rules governing use. IPP and LPR apply a set
of charges and these need to be fully understood, just like Chep.
Chep rolled out
a new Invoice design during 2009 in the UK and Europe, with additional information
on the breakdown of costs. This enabled better and simpler understanding, that has
been warmly welcomed. Again other suppliers provide different formats and these need
to be fully understood.
In the United Kingdom & Ireland the basic range of Service
Offers can be different to mainland Europe. As an example, the "Exchange" Service
Offer has been the foundation of the industry for both rented and purchased pallets
for many years and is one very cost effective option. Chep, like LPR and IPP can
also offer enhanced Service Offers, citing it provides improved solutions for its
customers. However, this may require additional spend with the pallet supplier. How
beneficial and value for money, you need to analyse. Here are some pallet service
offers and enhancements in the UK.
- Exchange
- Managed Recovery
- Trade Direct
- One Way Trip
- Total Equipment Management
Whether it is LPR, IPP or Chep, they all provide individual web portals to enable clients to control their rented equipment.
Chep just like IPP and LPR will also deliver additional services, unique to individual
client's requirements, something that many companies have not explored and should,
to deliver the best value for their businesses.
You have to make the decision which
is better for you and is it as good as similar Service Offers from competitors. If
you don't know and want to make sure you make the best and most informed decision,
call pallet-management.com and we will help identify benefits and concerns with the
application of each suppliers offer to your own business.