Brambles
About Brambles

About Brambles

Brambles is a supply-chain logistics company operating in more than
60 countries, primarily through the
CHEP brand.

Brambles’ purpose is to connect people with life’s essentials every day.
Through its ‘share and reuse’ model, Brambles moves more goods to more people in more places than any other organisation.

What Brambles does

As a pioneer of the sharing economy, Brambles is one of the world’s most sustainable logistics businesses.

Its circular business model perpetuates the share and reuse of the world’s largest pool of reusable pallets and containers.

This enables Brambles to serve its customers while minimising the impact on the environment and improving the efficiency and safety of supply chains around the world.

Brambles’ platforms form the invisible backbone of global supply chains, primarily serving the fast-moving consumer goods, fresh produce, beverage, retail and general manufacturing industries.

The world’s largest brands trust Brambles to help them transport life’s essentials more efficiently, safely and sustainably.

How Brambles Creates Value

Brambles uses the power of its circular business model, network advantage and unique expertise to leverage the key capital inputs into its business to generate significant value for customers, shareholders and employees.

For customers, Brambles’ end-to-end supply chain solutions deliver operational, financial and environmental efficiencies not otherwise available through one-way, single-use alternatives.

For shareholders, Brambles delivers sustainable growth at returns well in excess of the cost of capital and seeks to generate sufficient cash flow through the cycle to fund dividends and support reinvestment in growth, innovation and the development of its people.

For employees, Brambles provides development and exciting career opportunities in approximately 60 countries. By fostering a culture of innovation and agility, Brambles seeks to attract and retain the talent which is integral to its success.

In a resource-constrained world, circular business models like that operated by Brambles are recognised as a critical economic evolution to enable the world to trade more responsibly. By regenerating what it extracts and by providing its products via a service, Brambles helps reduce both the constant pressure on natural resources and the waste production typical of conventional linear business models.

Brambles capitalises on its unique position in the supply chain to enable customer collaboration and address sustainable development challenges, such as optimising transport networks, addressing food waste and promoting sustainable use of the world’s forests.

In this way, Brambles creates a circular economy, on a global scale.

Brambles has used the Integrated Reporting <IR> 'capitals' framework1 to illustrate the interaction and interdependencies between its sources of value, business model and ability to create value over time.

1The International Integrated Reporting <IR> Framework. Integrated Reporting highlights the key resources and relationships used and affected by an organisation.

As at 30 June 2019, Brambles:

Operated in...

~60

countries

Employed...

~11,000

people

Owned...

~330 million

pallets, crates and containers

Through a network of...

750+

service centres

Our Brands and Operations...

Brambles operates primarily through the CHEP brand and manages its businesses within the following operating segments:

The pallet and container pooling businesses in the Americas

The pallet and container pooling businesses in EMEA and the CHEP-branded RPC business in South Africa

The pallet and container pooling businesses in Asia-Pacific and the CHEP‑branded RPC business in Australia and
New Zealand

View our Countries of Operation

Visit the CHEP Website

Visit the BXB Digital Website

Visit the Kegstar Website

Operating Model

Brambles manages the world’s largest pool of reusable pallets and containers.

As a pioneer of the sharing economy, Brambles promotes the shared use of its platforms among multiple supply chain participants under a circular ‘share and reuse’ model known as pooling.

Through its inherently sustainable operating model, superior network advantage and industry expertise, Brambles leads the market in smarter and more sustainable supply chains.

Inherently Sustainable Operating Model

Brambles’ ‘share and reuse’ model follows the principles of the circular and sharing economies, creating more efficient supply chains by reducing operating costs and demand on natural resources. By promoting the share and reuse of assets among multiple parties in the supply chain, Brambles offers customers a more efficient and sustainable alternative to the use of disposable products or managing their own proprietary platforms.

Network Advantage and Supply Chain Expertise

Brambles’ sustainable operating model is underpinned by its superior network advantage and industry-leading supply chain expertise, developed over 70 years of managing customers’ supply chains around the world. With operations in approximately 60 countries, Brambles’ network advantage comprises the scale and density of its service centre network and the strength of its customer relationships in every market in which it operates. This means Brambles can be faster and more responsive to customers’ needs.

Sustainability Framework

Brambles’ sustainability framework organises the Group’s sustainability activities and goals under three broad programmes: Better Business; Better Planet; and Better Communities.

The sustainability framework identifies input sourcing, particularly lumber, and safety as the Group’s key material sustainability risks. A full review of Brambles’ sustainability risks and performance will be included in the 2019 Sustainability Review, which will be available on Brambles’ website in September 2019.

The Group’s 2020 Sustainability Goals are incorporated into this framework and address the material sustainability aspects of Brambles’ value chain. These goals are also aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, which aligns with Brambles’ sustainable business model.

Brambles is currently undertaking a materiality process to develop its 2025 sustainability programme with the intention of announcing the new commitments in FY20. This preparatory work involves consultation with our key stakeholders including customers, investors, non-government organisations, thought leaders, industry bodies, management and employees.

Customer Value Proposition

Brambles’ pallets and containers form the invisible backbone of the global supply chain. This gives Brambles key insights that help customers meet evolving consumer demands while minimising their environmental impact and improving the safety and efficiency of their supply chains.

With a comprehensive suite of supply chain solutions, Brambles provides customers with operational, financial and environmental efficiencies not otherwise available through the use of disposable alternatives and proprietary models.

Supply Chain Solutions

Brambles is integral to customers’ supply chains, working closely with all participants including manufacturers, producers, growers and retailers. With end-to-end involvement, Brambles has clear insights into what impacts the safe, efficient and sustainable operation of global supply chains.

By leveraging these insights and its unmatched expertise, Brambles offers customers comprehensive solutions that improve the performance of the supply chain. This helps address the challenges associated with the increasing complexity and rapid evolution of modern supply chains.

Platform Solutions

Brambles offers customers the widest range of supply chain platforms including: pallets (timber, plastic and display), Reusable Plastic Crates (RPCs), bins and specialised containers as well as unit-load containment and safe handling equipment.

By eliminating the need for customers to purchase and manage their own platforms, Brambles reduces the capital requirements and complexity of customers’ operations while simultaneously reducing waste from their supply chains.

Brambles conducts in-depth studies of customers’ supply chains to map the flow of goods, information and platforms to identify the causes of network inefficiencies and product damage.

By determining the optimal mix of platforms and processes for customers’ individual supply chains, Brambles can mitigate network inefficiencies and ensure the safe and sustainable transportation of goods through the supply chain.

Brambles’ superior network scale provides a unique capability to coordinate collaboration between multiple supply chain participants to deliver transport efficiencies. This includes matching and eliminating empty transport lanes, sharing transport and contracting transport for and from customers.

Brambles works closely with customers to develop retail store solution strategies and consumer-facing platforms that improve the efficiency of the shared supply chain by increasing sales at lower costs to the supplier, retailer and consumer.

These merchandising and fulfilment solutions, which include full size and fractional display pallets, trays and RPCs, effectively reduce the time, labour and activity required to move goods from the point of production to the point of sale.

Using its experience in managing platforms, optimising automated facilities and packaging performance testing, Brambles has developed solutions that improve the overall performance and efficiency of customers’ facilities. These solutions include: customising customers’ platform processes; optimising how customers configure, build and protect product loads; and providing higher quality platforms and engineering services to improve the performance of automated facilities.

Brambles creates value for customers by providing a sustainable alternative to single-use packaging, saving customers money and significantly reducing the environmental impact of their operations. In this way, Brambles presents a working circular model for customers to reference as they adapt to growing consumer awareness around sustainability issues in supply chains.


In FY19, Brambles launched its Zero Waste World initiative in North America and Europe to reinforce its commitment to collaborate with customers to create smarter and more sustainable supply chains – creating more value and using fewer resources. Through this initiative, Brambles seeks to use its unique position in the supply chain to help customers address three key industry challenges:

1

Eliminating waste

by using its circular economy expertise to convert customers to more sustainable share and reuse solutions which save resources and reduce costs;

2

Eradicating empty transport miles

by using its network scale and visibility to facilitate collaborative transport solutions, bringing manufacturers and retailers together to reduce the environmental impact of their operations and save money; and

3

Reducing inefficiencies

by using its end-to-end supply chain solutions and BXB Digital technology to enhance customers’ visibility of their supply chains so they can make better decisions.

Strategic Priorities

Brambles is committed to being the global leader in platform pooling solutions and insight-based solutions to fast-moving supply chains.

Brambles seeks to:

Achieve and maintain number one positions in each region of operation; Lead the industry in customer service, innovation and sustainability; and Be an employer of choice through best-in-class safety, diversity and talent development programmes.

Brambles’ five strategic priorities guide decision making across the Group and are integral to the delivery of superior value for customers, shareholders and employees over the long term.

Brambles’ network advantage, comprising the scale and density of its customer and service centre network and its industry-leading asset management expertise, is a critical element of the Group’s value proposition for both customers and investors.

Brambles continues to deepen its network advantage by growing in core businesses and rapidly scaling in newer markets. The increasing importance of sustainability in end-to-end supply chains further increases the value of Brambles’ service offering to its customers.

Brambles is committed to improving the customer experience further through simpler processes, additional services and enhanced platform quality.

Brambles seeks to offset the impact of cost inflation and competitive price pressures through efficiencies in areas such as procurement, plant automation and transport optimisation.

With a more focused portfolio there are increased opportunities to share best practices and simplify processes across the Group to build a leaner, more collaborative and effective organisation.

Brambles allocates capital in a disciplined manner to maintain and grow its existing businesses, to drive innovation and to manage its portfolio of products and services. The Group pursues a focused strategy in relation to mergers and acquisitions.

A key strategic objective for the Group is to deliver strong and sustainable cash generation. Brambles aims to achieve this through an increased focus on improving asset utilisation, reducing equipment loss and lowering equipment damage rates.

Brambles is committed to developing and maintaining an innovative portfolio of products and services to meet the evolving needs of current and future customers.

Brambles is constantly innovating in new materials and platforms that enable its customers to increase sales, gain greater market insights and improve operational efficiencies in a changing retail landscape.

Alongside innovation in physical products, Brambles is investing to transform information and digital insights into new sources of value for itself and for its customers. Brambles sees data and technology as core strengths and sources of future competitive advantage.

Successfully attracting and retaining high calibre people is integral to Brambles’ ongoing success and will become increasingly important as new skills are required in areas such as digital services and automated supply chains. Brambles’ key priorities for its employees are safety, engagement and capability-building. The Group is committed to fostering a culture of agility, innovation and continuous improvement.

Investor Value Proposition

Brambles generates value through a virtuous circle that leverages its scale, density and expertise to achieve superior operational efficiencies.

These efficiencies in turn generate cash flow that can either be returned to shareholders or reinvested in the business to fund growth, innovation and development of its people.

Long-Term Value Creation and Sustainable Shareholder Returns

Brambles shares the efficiencies generated by its scale, density and expertise with its customers, providing a compelling value proposition compared to alternatives. By providing customers with supply chain solutions in approximately 60 countries, Brambles offers shareholders exposure to geographically diversified earning streams, primarily from the global consumer staples sector.

The supply chains served by Brambles also provide a broad range of growth opportunities including: increasing penetration of core equipment-pooling products and services in existing markets; diversifying the range of products and services; entering new and adjacent parts of existing supply chains; and exploring the digitisation of supply chains.

Within this context, Brambles is committed to striking the right balance between growing its business and delivering sustainable shareholder returns over the long term. By focusing on its core drivers of value, Brambles expects to deliver:

Sustainable growth at returns well in excess of the cost of capital

  • Sales revenue growth2 in the mid-single digits;
  • Underlying Profit growth2 in excess of sales revenue growth through the cycle; and
  • Strong Return on Capital Invested.

Cash generation to fund growth, innovation and shareholder returns

  • Free Cash Flow sufficient to fully fund capital expenditure and dividends.

2At constant-currency

Dividend Policy and Payment

The Board has declared a final dividend for 2019 of 14.5 AU cents per share, in line with the previous interim and final dividends. The 2019 final dividend will be 30% franked and is payable on 10 October 2019 to shareholders on the Brambles register at 5.00pm on 12 September 2019. The ex‑dividend date is 11 September 2019.

Total dividends for the Year were 29.0 AU cents per share, in line with the prior year. Brambles paid a 65% franked 2019 interim dividend of 14.5 AU cents per share on 11 April 2019.

Following the sale of its IFCO RPC business, the Brambles Board has reviewed Brambles’ current progressive dividend policy. Under this policy, the Group seeks to maintain or increase dividends per share each year, in Australian cents, subject to its financial performance and cash requirements. From the FY20 interim dividend, Brambles will move to a payout ratio based dividend policy, targeting a payout ratio of 45-60% of Underlying Profit after finance costs and tax, subject to Brambles’ cash requirements, with the dividend per share declared in US cents and converted and paid in Australian cents.

Capital Management Programme

On 25 February 2019, Brambles announced that it intended to use the proceeds from the sale of its IFCO RPC business to fund an on-market share buy‑back of up to US$1.65 billion, a pro-rata return of cash of 29.0 AU cents per share and to pay down debt.

Completion of the sale of IFCO RPC was announced on 3 June 2019 and the on-market share buy-back commenced on 4 June 2019. Between that date and 21 June 2019, when it was paused for Brambles’ scheduled trading blackout period, 6,039,299 ordinary shares were bought back and cancelled for a total consideration of US$54.1 million. The on-market buy-back is scheduled to recommence on 22 August 2019.

The pro-rata cash return compromises two components: a capital return of 12 AU cents per share which is subject to shareholder approval, which Brambles will seek at its 2019 AGM on 10 October 2019, and a special dividend of 17 AU cents per share.

On 5 July 2019, Brambles repaid the US$500 million April 2020 144A bond issue using the IFCO RPC sales proceeds.

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

Given the on-market share buy-back programme will continue into FY20, the Brambles’ Board has decided to suspend the Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

Cash Flow from Operations3

US$431.8m

Down US$293.0m

Return on Capital Invested3

19.5%

Down 0.6 percentage points at constant currency

Brambles Injury Frequency Rate (BIFR)

5.9

Up from 5.0 in FY18

Sales Revenue3

US$4,595.3m

Up 7% at constant currency

Underlying Profit3

US$803.7m

Up 2% at constant currency

Total Dividends

29.0 AU cents per share

Final dividend of 14.5 AU cents per share

3Continuing operations