Transforming Your Supply Chain with Smart Returnable Packaging

Optimising your supply chain is critical to staying competitive. Returnable Transport Packaging (RTP) can increase the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of your operations – and Schoeller Allibert has the RTP you need. In this blog post, we delve into the key features and benefits of our RTP rental services and explain how they can help enhance your supply chain performance.

Both consumers and regulators are asking for more sustainable solutions. These demands are generating profound changes – and challenges – in the manufacturing, retail, and logistics industries. Rental services are built around the concept of providing returnable transport packaging (RTP) on hire as a flexible and cost-effective alternative to traditional packaging solutions.

• Financial: reduces capital expenditure, and other costs

• Operational: agile, durable, tailored, and trackable

• Environmental: conserves resources and reduces waste

• Reputational: high market demand

This explains why Schoeller Allibert is seeing a serious uptick in the demand for rental solutions for returnable packaging. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits.

Renting saves on capital expenditure

The trend from ownership to usership is happening across all industries. Not only is this shift to be expected, renting (and leasing) will likely become the dominant form of acquiring means of operation, as it allows companies to focus their attention and resources on their core business.

• Times are tough, margins are tight, and budgets are being squeezed. As companies focus on product development, supply chains are likely to feel the squeeze even more. That’s why it makes sense to rent instead of buy: limiting your capital expenditure (CapEx) leaves you with more money for your core business and other business needs. Also, you pay a fixed rental amount, which means no unpleasant surprises in terms of costs. This predictability makes it easier to run a budget and manage costs.

• There is another financial advantage to renting instead of buying: the rental fee includes the cost of maintenance and repair, which can be considerable over time.

• And there’s more: renting is scalable, meaning you only rent what you need, when you need it. Renting also comes with a buy-back option, allowing you to sell non-pooling assets back to the manufacturer (which is not just efficient, but also promotes circularity). Our assets are also trackable via SmartLink, which helps reduce the risk of theft and loss of the rental assets. All of this contributes to more efficient and cost-effective operations.

Renting increases your agility

There are several operational benefits to renting returnable packaging solutions.

• In today’s highly competitive retail environment, suppliers need to be extremely agile and flexible. Renting returnable packaging to fit the needs of the moment provides you with this agility and flexibility. You can rent more units during seasonal peaks and fewer units when business slows down, relieving you of the need to hold on to unnecessary stock in quieter times.

• Our returnable packaging solutions are designed to be rigid and secure, robust and durable. This reduces the risk of product damage during transport, especially with fresh produce and other perishable or valuable goods.

• Schoeller Allibert has a wide range of solutions for all logistical needs. We can make you an offer consisting of assets tailored to what you need, when you need it.

• SmartLink is Schoeller Allibert’s in-house track-and-trace technology. Embedded in our assets, it helps you increase the efficiency of your operations (see: BOX).

Renting helps reduce your carbon footprint

The trend towards sustainability means that environmental concerns need to be addressed – from combatting climate change to reducing waste.

Renting is therefore an ideal solution, as it allows you to pool your resources. This shared usage model can help to reduce your company’s carbon footprint by replacing single-use packaging – assets you’re responsible for from acquisition to disposal – with sustainable solutions.

• Renting returnable packaging means you no longer have to rely on single-use solutions that eat up primary resources and contribute to more waste. Schoeller Allibert’s solutions can be used for years and are recycled after their first useful lifespan to make other packaging solutions.

• But when one-way packaging is necessary, Schoeller Allibert's Rental Services is the best solution. Since after using them for your transportation needs, they can be returned afterwards. We will clean, repair if needed and reuse them for another customer. An efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective solutionn way

• At Schoeller Allibert, we are committed to reducing the carbon footprint of our products by powering our operations by renewable energy and including recycled materials into our products (where possible).

Renting enhances your standing with customers

More than three quarters of consumers (76% to be exact) want their top brands to put more effort into sustainability, according to research by Schoeller Allibert. Almost two in five (38%) already choose products that use minimal plastic or recyclable packaging.

• This increase in customer awareness is permeating the logistics chain as well. Schoeller Allibert is seeing growing interest among direct customers in its returnable packaging solutions – precisely because they can be reused for years and are up to 88% more sustainable than single-use packaging.

• Schoeller Allibert’s rental solutions are standardised and high quality. They give you more control over your logistics and enhance the transparency of your entire supply chain. All of this increases the reliability and accountability of your operations and improves your reputation for reliability and accountability.

There are plenty of reasons to consider renting Schoeller Allibert’s returnable packaging solutions. Our wide range of solutions includes intermediate bulk containers# (IBCs), #foldable large containers# (FLCs), #foldable small containers# (FSCs) and #rigid pallet containers#(RPCs), as well as #stackable and/or nestable containers#, #plastic pallets# and #beverage crates#, #dollies#and #pails#, #roto moulding# and #bulk accessories. All of these solutions come in a wide range sizes and dimensions and can be used individually or combined as needed.

To discover the best solution for you, visit our dedicated rental page.

SmartLink and CarbonLink: clever ways to get the most out of your rentals

Imagine being able to see where your assets are and track their movement history, fill level, and temperature. Meet SmartLink#: a track-and-trace technology natively embedded in the assets themselves. In addition to offering comprehensive fleet visibility, this technology helps you make decisions that maximise efficiency and reduce your carbon footprint. #CarbonLink calculates the carbon emission savings of foldable assets versus rigid containers within the SmartLink tool, and is making the information available to the user of the rental fleet.

SmartLink, available to buy and to rent, is a smart way to get the most out of your rental solution. For a minimum cost, you gain actionable insights at the fleet level that help you better understand your supply chain, scale your fleet, improve your cycle times, and prevent losses and theft.