Smart containers for crisp, fresh salad

As a P.M.O. of the French Salade Direct association, Green Produce distributes freshly harvested lettuce throughout Europe to industrial processors in France, England, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. The south of France is an excellent region for growing lettuce in terms of soil, climate and know-how. Its favorable geographical location allows for quick delivery to northern European customers within 24 hours. Compared to producers in southern Spain and Morocco, fuel is saved and CO2 emissions are significantly reduced (50 percent less compared to Spain and 100 percent compared to Morocco).

Quality, freshness, sustainability and cost efficiency are particularly important to Green Produce. The container for the crisp, fresh lettuce plays a decisive role here. Suitable containers are needed both for the daily salad harvest in the field and for the complete transport logistics through to delivery to the customer.

Info

Harvesting and transport container BAC RL6424-0020

• External dimensions: 600 mm × 400 mm × 240 mm
• perforated box base and side walls
• Storage optimization with folded crates: 30.8 mm
• 375 boxes per pallet (1,000 mm × 1,200 mm)
• Weight: 1,780 g ±20 g
• Max. filling weight: 16 kg
• Storage: 8/1

The customer requirements

Green Produce had already used plastic containers before. However, too many restrictions in terms of availability and the company's own workflow, the repeated lack of quality of the crates used with the associated risks for customers - for example, pieces of plastic broke off and were in the salad - the desire for better cost and transport control and the aim of visually differentiating themselves more clearly from the competition were the decisive reasons for a change. The decision was made not to continue renting and using containers available on the market, but to develop a new, independent system. The list of requirements for the design of a new container also included a reduction in the costs for return empty transports and the tare weight.

The new solution

The same container for harvesting and transportation to the customer: the Gamma-Wopla RL6424-0020, which is foldable and stackable. Photo: Gamma-Wopla

Together with the Belgian company Gamma-Wopla SA, it was possible to develop a customized harvesting and transport container that stands out from the competition and to produce it in the desired time. The containers have the following features and significant advantages: Foldable side walls reduce return transport costs by 15 percent: 9,750 crates now fit into a truck with an interior height of 2.7 meters. That is 1,200 crates more than the previously used rented containers.

The new containers weigh an average of 200 grams less than those previously available on the market. The perforated base of the crate has been developed to prevent lettuce leaves from falling through and to minimize sticking. The rounded corners make the container very easy to fold and unfold and easy to clean. This is particularly relevant in order to meet the high safety and quality requirements in the food sector. Two specially designed handles are used to open and unfold the crates very quickly and easily. The same container can be used both during harvesting and for complete transport, optimizing the workflow.

The unique design in shape and color contributes to a clear differentiation and recognition of the own containers in the logistics cycle. The use of high-quality, recyclable plastic has significantly increased the quality, robustness and durability of the packaging. This ensures that Green Produce makes an important contribution to the required sustainability.

A reliable partner

When selecting the container manufacturer Gamma-Wopla, it was crucial for Green Produce to have found a cooperative, flexible, efficient and reliable supplier with industry expertise. It was important to Green Produce to develop and produce a sustainable harvesting and transportation container together with Gamma-Wopla according to their individual requirements - and within the specified budget. As a result, the crisp, fresh lettuce now reaches its customers in the usual quality.

Beate Jahoda