CONTAINERS, BOXES & PALLETS FEATURE


COST EFFECTIVE PALLET POOLING WITH STANDARD PRODUCTS Pay per trip solutions using Epal pallets


Epal is a not-for-profit organisation concerned with the promotion of cost- effective pallet pooling across the world using standardised high quality pallets. The organisation regulates the manufacture, repair and trading of Epal pallets via binding licensing agreements with manufacturers, repairers and traders guaranteeing product quality; it does not own any pallets itself.


HOW DOES THE EPAL SYSTEM WORK? Based on open free exchange, a company using Epal pallets to transport its goods


has several options: At the simplest level the user can expect the receiver of the goods to given back one empty pallet for each one supplied. Often a logistics provider can maintain a buffer of pallets between partners and


maintain a register of the balance owed. The supplying company can ask the receiving company to recognise the value of the pallets supplied as a commercial transaction leaving the ownership with the receiving company to use themselves or


sell in their local marketplace. The supplying company can retain ownership of the pallets and arrange for them to be collected from the receiving company and thus receive the value of the pallets directly.


will be available in many areas allowing users to outsource their entire pallet management to a third party. Epal sets out Exchange Criteria


specifying the suitable condition of pallets to ensure that only good quality repairs enter the marketplace.


CAN EPAL EURO PALLETS BE EXCHANGED WITH EUR? Despite ceasing cooperation with the UIC, Epal remains operator of the largest open pallet pool in the world and the leading pallet standards organisation when it comes to the free exchange of guaranteed quality wooden pallets and box pallets. Epal euro pallets are marked with the


symbol on all four corners as standard and can be exchanged with all other Epal pallets produced under licence in the past without restriction. Pallets only marked on the left corner with the initials or only the EUR brand and the sign of a national railway company will be exchangeable. Any pallets produced in future that are


licensed and quality tested by the UIC and branded with the EUR marking can be exchanged in the open euro pallet exchange pool. In future the or EUR markings will be proof of exchangeability. It is therefore not necessary to separate Epal and EUR euro pallets and it will be


possible to comprehensively exchange quality tested euro pallets with each other in the future. However, pallets not marked with either or EUR will not be accepted for exchange in the euro pallet exchange pool.


HOW IS QUALITY MAINTAINED? All licensed manufacturers and repairers receive an unannounced monthly visit from Epal quality controllers to ensure the quality of workmanship, timber components and nails. This tough inspection regime ensures safety for all users and that pallets are fit to work in the most demanding automated warehouses.


WHAT PALLETS ARE AVAILABLE? Until recently the only Epal pallets was the 800 x 1200mm Euro pallet. Two new specifications include a 1000 x 1200mm pallet (EUR 2) identical to the most common closed pool type used in the UK. Pallets are manufactured to standards originated and controlled by the UIC (International Union of Railways) To be confident of using genuine Epal


pallets only buy from an authorised manufacturer, repairer or trader.


Brepal T: 0116 274 7353 www.brepal.org.uk


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MATERIALS HANDLING & LOGISTICS | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 S5


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