HOUSTON - (Business Wire) IFCO SYSTEMS is pleased to announce the opening of the 100th location in its nationwide warehouse and logistics management network. This segment of IFCO’s pallet management services business complements the company’s primary pallet recycling facilities and has grown steadily since its introduction in 2005. This network now includes operations in 92 major retailer distribution centers in addition to eight IFCO-owned Reverse Logistics Centers (RLCs). The RLCs enable retailers to outsource all handling and management of reusable pallets, containers and other reusable and recyclable materials to IFCO at an off-site location. Transferring these non-core warehouse activities to an IFCO RLC enables IFCO’s customers to maximize their warehouse productivity and reduce costs. “An efficient logistics network is a huge cost-reduction opportunity for our customers,” says, Tony Zinna, IFCO’s Vice President of Warehouse and Logistics Management Services. “These RLCs free up valuable space previously dedicated to pallet and container management and maximize merchandise backhaul opportunities.”
IFCO customers can access critical activity information on all reusable and recyclable materials at any time via IFCO’s proprietary online pallet tracking system, PaltraxTM.
IFCO’s RLCs also offer customers the environmental benefits of waste reduction, improved reusable container utilization, and reduced fuel consumption. IFCO RLCs recycle over half a million pallets annually and decrease the dwell time of reusable pallets and containers, both of which improve the overall efficiency of reusable pallet and container systems. Finally, with an increased propensity for “full” backhauls and optimized routing to the RLCs, on-road mileage is decreased, in turn reducing fuel consumption by nearly 100,000 gallons per year.
The Sterling facility opened on June 1st and is located at 709 Hoffman Drive, Rock Falls, IL 61071. With as many as 60 trailer positions and ample paved area for trailer parking, the Sterling RLC has the capacity to efficiently handle large volumes of inbound and outbound trailers carrying thousands of pallets and containers on a daily basis. This facility is also scalable to meet the seasonal demands common among IFCO’s national retail customers.
About IFCO SYSTEMS
IFCO SYSTEMS is an international logistics service provider with more than 210 locations worldwide. IFCO SYSTEMS operates a pool of more than 96 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 125 million sorted, repaired and reissued wooden pallets annually, IFCO SYSTEMS is the market leader in this industry. In 2008, IFCO SYSTEMS generated revenues of 735.9 million USD.
IFCO SYSTEMS N.A., Inc.
Marketing Manager
Hillary Femal, 813-463-4124
hillary.femal@ifcosystems.com
www.ifco-us.com
