New strategic partnerships and investments in critical areas of the business have strengthened LPR’s pallet pooling service, with new client wins confirming its significance.
As a leading provider of pallet pooling services to the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, competitive efficiency and excellent customer service are key to La Palette Rouge’s (LPR’s) success. With recent wins including leading FMCG manufacturers such as United Central Bakeries and Task Consumer Products, alongside an expansion of LPR’s presence in the logistics industry, the company has been undergoing a strategic streamlining review to ensure that LPR’s facilities and systems not only run as efficiently as possible but exceed the company’s already first-rate customer service levels in the future.
As a result of the review process, an outsourcing partnership and advanced automation solution have been implemented. Although in their infancy, both are already proving to be excellent investments.
Following an analysis of LPR’s pallet inspection and repair operations, the company has restructured this area of the business through a strategic partnership with James Jones & Sons (Pallets & Packaging) Ltd. The alliance sees James Jones & Sons providing a full pallet inspection and repair service for LPR from their Golborne site, as well as taking on responsibility for the management of LPR operations at Castleford and Stretton.
Speaking of the changeover, Adrian Fleming, regional director of LPR UK and Ireland, said: “Entering into a partnership with a timber pallet and manufacturing specialist as trusted and reliable as James Jones & Sons has really helped LPR further improve the service offering we provide to our customer base. The relationship has got off to a fantastic start with successful changeovers at Golborne, Castleford and Stretton and we’re looking forward to building on this moving forward.”
This strategic partnership has allowed LPR to continue to deliver the highest quality service to its customers. Gil Covey, Executive Chairman of James Jones & Sons (Pallets & Packaging), “We are very pleased to have secured this contract with LPR. The James Jones Group has expertise and experience in providing pallet inspection and repair services to all the major UK pallet pool companies and we have successfully followed this model which is proven in other European countries.
“James Jones is the market leader in supplying pallet timber in the UK and our experience in pallet repair services fits well with our Company’s leading position in the manufacture of new, high quality dried pallets. We are in a unique position to offer security and supply of all timber and pallet products and services.”
LPR’s commitment to continuous improvement has also opened the door to a strategic partnership to automate some of the company’s nationwide network of facilities. The upgrades at present include the full automation of two LPR depots, driving the ongoing expansion of the business still further in the UK.
The strategic partnership that has made this automation process possible is with logistics specialist XPO, where LPR has committed a six-figure sum to automate its facilities at Sywell and Avonmouth. Simon Wood, Operations Director for LPR UK and Ireland, comments: “These upgrades signal LPR’s intent to continually improve efficiencies across its UK network, while ensuring safety and first-rate working environments.”
The move to automation in Sywell and Avonmouth depots will be fully implemented during 2018 and will ensure that LPR continues to deliver the highest level of service to its customers as LPR’s business grows over the coming years.
Another benefit of the strategic partnership is the investment LPR has committed to its flatbed vehicle service with XPO. The offering is being successfully rolled out across the North West, and LPR is working with a number of transport businesses with a view to offering a similar service UK-wide.
LPR’s decision to form strategic partnerships with James Jones & Sons (Pallets & Packaging) Ltd and XPO has ensured that the next stage of the company’s growth in the UK is secured. With a continued focus on streamlining processes to drive customer service excellence, LPR’s success in the FMCG sector looks set for many years to come.