Jel Sert is known as a maker of "fun foods" like the iconic Fla-Vor-Ice freezer pops, but there was nothing fun about the recycled half pallets it was using to ship products to retailers. The shipping platforms the Chicago-based food and beverage maker was using were of inconsistent quality and didn't offer enough top deck coverage, which resulted in product damage during shipping. Retailers began to complain about the damage as well as the platforms' unsightly appearance—the half pallets simply didn't look appealing as endcap (end-of-aisle) displays in stores.
In hopes of finding a better half-pallet solution, Jel Sert turned to one of its long-time business partners, global pallet-pooling specialist CHEP. Once it got the call, the CHEP team swooped in to discuss the problem with its client and demonstrate its 40- by 24-inch pooled (shared) half-pallet solution.
To see how the unit would stand up to real-world conditions, Jel Sert conducted a trial run with CHEP's half pallet. The tests convinced it that consistency matters: In the trials, the CHEP half pallets delivered marked operational efficiencies compared with the inconsistent recycled half pallets Jel Sert had been using, the company says. With Jel Sert fully on board, the two companies began the process of implementing the new half pallet solution.
"The trial was a natural [outgrowth] of our fantastic, long-term business relationship," said Michael Martinez, vice president of customer service and distribution for Jel Sert, in prepared remarks. "CHEP is a provider of choice for Jel Sert and has been over the last decade. CHEP continues to be a strategic partner in providing multifaceted solutions [to] internal and external supply chain challenges."
Incorporating CHEP's pooled 40- by 24-inch half pallets into its supply chain proved to be a smart move on Jel Sert's part. During the past two years, the food and beverage maker has not only eliminated shipping-related product damage but also achieved 100-percent complaint-free status. The new platform also hit the mark where aesthetics are concerned. "CHEP's half pallet completes the professional appearance of our products and shows as a display-ready pallet for our retailers," Martinez said.
The benefits aren't limited to happy customers, however. The company has realized sustainability gains as well. By switching to CHEP's pooled pallets, Jel Sert slashed its carbon footprint, eliminating nearly 100,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions and almost 130,000 pounds of solid waste.
