ALDI adopts new-generation CHEP crate

ALDI Australia has adopted CHEP’s new-generation re-usable plastic crate. The Gen 3 crate was developed in consultation with the retailer and was launched at ALDI’s Salisbury store in Brisbane.

“The Gen 3 crate is a one-touch solution that will create efficiencies within the ALDI fresh produce supply chain, and in the future will streamline processes and systems for our suppliers given it has the capacity to be a whole-of-industry solution,” said Viktor Jakupec, ALDI Queensland managing director.

“The new crate allows products to be packed directly on farm before being delivered to our warehouses and subsequently to stores, which reduces the amount of repacking and speeds up the process. The crate design allows it to fit directly into our new fresh produce display on the shop floor, which means less product handling and therefore a higher level of product quality.

“Instead of store staff having to pack products on tables within the produce area, the majority of products will remain displayed within the crates, which will assist with better product rotation and minimise damage to the products through less handling.”

The re-usable crates use best-in-class latching technology and are fully compatible with the previous-generation crate and existing infrastructure.

“The Gen 3 crate family is a game changer,” said CHEP Australia and New Zealand President Phillip Austin. “It’s not only an industry-wide solution, it offers world-leading return logistics; with a folded height of 25 mm, the Gen 3 outperforms all other crates on the market by up to 29%.”

CHEP says both growers and retailers will benefit from the reduced fold-down height, with up to 29% more crates fitting into a truckload than previous-generation crates, meaning fewer trucks will be required to transport an equivalent number of crates when empty.

An independent life cycle analysis of CHEP’s re-usable plastic crate system conducted by RMIT in 2010 showed that compared with a single-use corrugated cardboard system, CHEP crates produced 70% less greenhouse gas emissions, used 85% less water and produced 95% less solid waste to landfill, even if the cardboard was recycled.

The crate has the ability to cross and column stack on pallets for improved transport stability. It allows for improved cooling/ripening efficiencies through crate venting. The venting design also makes produce quality inspections easier to conduct.

The Gen 3 crate is not affected by coolroom moisture and rain, and produce in the crates can be sprayed and watered as it moves through the supply chain.