Schoeller Allibert, a world leader in plastic reusable transit packaging (RTP) has announced it will sponsor the Fresh Produce Retailer of The Year Award at the 2013 Retail Industry Awards, to be held at The Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London on Tuesday 24 September.
The Retail Industry Awards recognise and reward excellence across all areas of the grocery retail sector, and Schoeller Allibert's sponsorship will cover three categories: Multiple Fresh Produce Retailer; Independent Fresh Produce Retailer and Symbol Group Fresh Produce Retailer of The Year.
Simon Knights, Regional Sales Director - UK/Ireland (pictured), explains: "With fresh produce vital to the economy and of increasing importance for a healthy lifestyle, retailers in this sector are constantly under pressure to provide high quality, fresh and clean produce. Sponsoring these prestigious awards was an obvious choice for Schoeller Allibert, as we work with fresh produce suppliers and grocery retailers on a daily basis to ensure their products reach the shelves in the best possible condition for consumers, and we look forward to congratulating the winners."
Schoeller Allibert's range includes a variety of products aimed especially at the fruit and vegetables and fresh produce sector which offer maximum ventilation, durability and protection - cushioning produce from knocks and bumps - to preserve quality and ensure hygiene from field or food processor to retail point of sale.
Simon adds: "When supplying fresh produce, speed is of the essence in preventing decay. Where cardboard or solid wood or plastic crates are used, the lack of air circulation speeds up this deterioration rapidly, whereas with RTP product cooling and ventilation is much improved. Additionally, our containers can withstand high-temperature washing to minimise the risk of contamination and promote hygiene, and the reusable nature of the product delivers considerable environmental benefits over disposable packaging."
Helen Lyons, the Retail Industry Awards organiser, said: "We are delighted that Schoeller Allibert joined the Retail Industry Awards and will sponsor three fresh produce categories. The company is a fantastic example of how continuous innovation and sustainable packaging can work together brilliantly - both for consumers as well as grocery retailers, ensuring that products offered in shops are fresh and maintain that nutritious goodness we all look for."
Maxinest, developed specifically to meet demands from growers, food processors, logistics operators and supermarkets, is one of many Schoeller Allibert products which helps retailers to cut costs, reduce packaging waste and deliver greater efficiency in the supply chain. Designed to offer a cost-effective way of delivering fresh produce, the crates also meet the food processing and grocery industry's strict requirements for quality, durability and care for the environment.