IFCO SYSTEMS presents the first model of its new redesigned generation of crates

Many improved details and fully compatible with the entire IFCO family.

Pullach, Germany –January 30, 2007. IFCO SYSTEMS, the world’s leading company for RPC and pallet management services, presents at Fruit Logistica, stand D-14, hall 2.1 with IFCO 6408 the first model of a new generation of crates. The 6408 is the tenth model of the IFCO GREEN PLUS-family and rounds off the range of crates on offer. For the first time, the new crate turns into reality a new design with many improved details, which later are also to be gradually incorporated into all other models. It goes without saying that it was ensured that compatibility with the existing IFCO GREEN PLUS-pool remains absolutely guaranteed and the customers of IFCO will not incur any trouble with the conversion to the new design.

With a standard size of 60 x 40 cm and a usable inside height of 8.3 cm, the new model 6408 is ideal for products with a maximum diameter of 80 mm, such as kiwi fruits, peaches and nectarines. In addition, the crate can also be used very well for many different bioproducts. Compared to the 6410, the next biggest model, an extra 20 filled crates can fit onto a pallet. The 6408 thus offers optimum use of freight space and thus helps to save on transport costs.

With the 6408, IFCO SYSTEMS now offers a total of 10 different sizes within its GREEN PLUS-family. All the crates are fully compatible with one another both when open and folded and have a uniform empty stacking height. IFCO thus has the most extensive range of crates on the market and can cover practically all transport packaging requirements in the field of fruit and vegetables.

The 6408 goes into production in May and will then be introduced gradually throughout Europe.

IFCO GREEN PLUS family – new evolutionary stage in Reusable Plastic Container design

The special feature of the 6408 is not its height, however, rather its completely revamped design. Great emphasis was put on retaining all the tried-and-tested features of the IFCO GREEN PLUS-family valued by IFCO customers. Accordingly, the new design line also has the stable easy-opening lock, ergonomic handles on all 4 sides, a stable holder for transport labels, the tried-and-tested stacking rim of the IFCO GREEN PLUS-family and the uniform stacking height of 34.3 mm.

At the same time, however, many improved details became reality in the new design. For instance, the floor was completely redesigned. The floor structure in wave form on the outsides ensures perfect stability and keeps possible sagging to the very minimum, even with the maximum filling weight. At the same time, the sensitive products are protected perfectly, as this design completely did away with stabilising ribs which could cause the products to bruise. The side walls were also redesigned. They are also completely smooth and thus further increase protection for the products. In addition, the water runs off the smooth side walls more easily and very little dirt remains. The new generation thus offers enormous advantages from the additional perspective of hygiene. With future models, which are higher than the 6408, the walls will also be curved towards the outside, thus increasing the interior capacity and also benefiting product protection.

Stability and robustness were also further enhanced. Several improvements were developed to do this. The most important detail is the connection of the side walls by hooks on the short sides which run in guide rails on the long sides. This design ensures when setting up the crate that the sides are brought into position exactly and the locks thus engage fully. An unwanted opening of the crate when it is filled is thus no longer possible. The hook connection on the sides means that the crate itself also remains stable even when a lock is not fully engaged.

Another improvement is the increase in stability of the crates when stacked up. To do this, two cogs were fitted on the rim of the stack which slot into openings on the floor of the container stacked on top and thus prevent the outside walls bending out of shape.

With the new design, IFCO has succeeded in further improving the very good product features of the existing IFCO GREEN PLUS-family. Due to the fact it is completely compatible with the existing crates, the new design can be introduced without any conversion costs. IFCO intends, over the next few years, to convert all the crate types to the new design and thus gradually complete the existing pool.

The standardised IFCO GREEN PLUS-family is thus the perfect transport packaging for all stages of the supply chain and guarantees maximum freshness and quality of the goods.

Anyone interested is very welcome to visit IFCO SYSTEMS at Fruit Logistica and to experience at first hand the benefits of the new generation.
At stand D-14 in hall 02.1, you have the opportunity to find out about the range and the latest developments at IFCO SYSTEMS, as well as to exchange information with contacts from all our European branches.

About IFCO SYSTEMS:
IFCO SYSTEMS is an international logistics service provider with more than 170 locations worldwide.
IFCO SYSTEMS operates a pool of more than 76 million Reusable Plastic Containers (RPCs) globally, which are used primarily to transport fresh produce from producers to leading grocery retailers.

In the United States, IFCO SYSTEMS also provides a national network of pallet management services. With more than 100 million wooden pallets sorted, repaired and reintroduced to the supply chain annually, IPCO is the market leader in this industry.

In 2005, IFCO SYSTEMS generated revenues of $576.3 million.

IFCO SYSTEMS GmbH
Public Relations

Stephanie Dallmann
Tel: +49 89 74 491 258
Fax: +49 89 74 491 296
Email :
stephanie.dallmann@ifco.de

Mandy Winkler
Tel: +49 89 74 491 221
Fax: +49 89 74 491 296
Email :
mandy.winkler@ifco.de

Zugspitzstr. 7
82049 Pullach
Germany

www.ifcosystems.com

IFCO SYSTEMS GmbH Pullach, Geschäftsführung: Karl Pohler, Michael W. Nimtsch, Wolfgang Orgeldinger; AG München HRB 153 415, Ust.-ID.: DE 239 143 079

This release was published on openPR.