WORKING
WITH CHEP
pacific
brands
rob mels, pacific brands
THE CHEPStretch
system has improved
workplace safety
and productivity, and
reduced maintenance
as well as wrapping
costs
Pacific brands
OH&S, and in particular traffic management,
has improved due to the operators
remaining on their forklift. this removed
a hazard from our workplace
Pacific Brands sought to improve the
efficiency of handling processes and OH&S
at their Australian distribution centres. By
implementing CHEPStretch, Pacific Brands
was able to reduce their capital outlay,
ongoing maintenance and wrapping costs
as well as improve safety and productivity.
Pacific Brands manufactures, sources and
delivers more than 160,000 different products
with items ranging from golf balls and
underwear to mattresses and carpet underlay.
Internationally, the company handles over
250 million units every year, with 625,000
units passing through their distribution
centres every day.
Already a CHEP pallet customer, Pacific
Brands identified inefficiencies in handling
processes at their distribution centres.
Wrapping machines were using excessive
volumes of film, machines were aging
and maintenance costs increasing.
Gabriel Sekias, Pacific Brands Project
Manager, met with Perc Valeri, their CHEP
representative, to discuss the options
available to them.
Following an assessment of their needs,
Pacific Brands trialled both automatic and
semi-automatic CHEPStretch systems at
the Tontine and King Gee distribution centres
in Queensland and Victoria. The dramatic
results of the trial compelled the company
to implement CHEPStretch.
Trial results showed a significant reduction
in the amount of wrap needed, leading
to cost savings and more efficient processes.
Productivity increased due to reduced
downtime and safety was markedly improved.
Head Office
Level 6, Building C
11 Talavera Road
North Ryde NSW 2113
Phone (02) 9856 2437
Fax (02) 9856 2404
New South Wales
109 Church Street
Lidcombe NSW 2141
Phone (02) 9714 8800
Fax (02) 9649 2561
CHEP Australia Limited
A Brambles Company ABN 11 117 266 323
CHP2190_290108
Pacific Brands pride themselves on their
commitment to safety and injury management.
In some distribution centres, employees had
to climb out of their forklifts to activate the
wrapping machines, becoming exposed to the
potential risk of injury from other forklift drivers.
Since the installation of the CHEPStretch
machines, forklift drivers no longer have
to leave their vehicles. They deposit the pallet,
activate the wrapping machine, and drive
away to collect another. This has increased
productivity and reduced a significant
workplace hazard.
The CHEPStretch system includes the
wrapping machines themselves, a high
quality pre-stretch film, and preventative
maintenance. CHEPStretch machines
range from simple semi-automatics to fully
automatic machines that automate the
whole wrapping process.
“We have seen a substantial decrease in
the amount of film required, as the machine
uses a measured amount of wrap that
is stretched to tightly secure the pallet load
therefore utilising less wrap.”
“We prefer to lease the equipment, and
CHEP offered flexible terms – we tied the
length of the hire contract to the leases
on each property. CHEP allowed us to make
decisions that suit our needs.”
“OH&S, and in particular traffic management,
has improved due to the operators remaining
on their forklift. This removed a hazard from
our workplace.”
GABRIEL SEKIAS, PROJECT MANAGER,
BUSINESS PROJECTS
There is no capital outlay for customers as
they are billed per pallet wrapped. To increase
efficiency, CHEP makes predictions about
the quantity of film needed in each location by
analysing Pacific Brand’s own operating data –
in much the same way as CHEP’s award
winning Automotive Logistics Management
System (CALM) determines packaging needs
for the automotive industry.
Mr Sekias, said the decision to use the
CHEPStretch service was an easy one.
“CHEP’s preventative maintenance program
minimises downtime for any repairs,
and the volume of wrap required has been
significantly reduced by replacing the old,
inefficient machines. Most importantly,
the CHEPStretch system has improved
workplace safety for our people.”
Victoria
502-520 Clayton Road
Clayton VIC 3168
Phone (03) 9263 4199
Fax (03) 9562 8066
Queensland
1275 Kingsford
Smith Drive
Meeandah QLD 4008
Phone (07) 3621 1400
Fax (07) 3260 1031
outh Australia
S
244 Eastern Parade
Gillman SA 5013
Phone (08) 8403 7600
Fax (08) 8241 0716
Western Australia
39-45 Canvale Road
Canning Vale WA 6155
Phone (08) 9455 2522
Fax (08) 9455 2545