A key aspect of Brambles’ diversification is the expansion of its Reusable Plastic Crates (RPCs) operations under the IFCO brand in North America. In the 2012 financial year, leading retailer Safeway was one customer that continued to expand its use of RPCs throughout its network. As Safeway’s primary RPC partner, IFCO first worked alongside the retailer to test RPCs in its distribution system for fresh wet-pack produce – that is, produce kept on ice until it reaches the store. After this successful test phase, the retailer implemented the RPC system in every one of its distribution centres in the USA within just 10 months. Now more than 75 types of produce are shipped from growers in RPCs to Safeway distribution centres every day. Safeway says RPCs benefit the retailer in a variety of ways, including waste reduction, reduced product damage and reduced cost. So far, Safeway’s transition has eliminated the use of more than 7.5 million kilograms of corrugated boxes from its system. By the end of the 2012 financial year, IFCO RPCs were being shipped into 105 retail distribution centres in North America including, in addition to Safeway, leading national grocery retailers Walmart and Kroger, leading regional chains Stater Bros, Raley’s, Harris Teeter and Wegman’s and leading Canadian retailer Loblaws.
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