TNT Container Logistics masters storage solutions
17 April 2002 - 15:38 CET
Masterfoods has improved the storage and transportation of its confectionery ingredients with the assistance of TNT Container Logistics' Pallecon intermediate bulk containers (IBCs).
The confectionery giant has turned to TNT Container Logistics' hire and de-hire service to store and transport its cocoa powder, cream, caramel and M&Ms internally and across Europe and the Middle East.
The hire service has ensured that Masterfoods always has sufficient quantities of containers to meet fluctuations in production cycles, thereby solving the problem of storing unused units on site. There is also no capital outlay to worry about and no routine maintenance and repair costs.
TNT Container Logistics' European director for sales and marketing John Wright said: "The key issues for Masterfoods were to find replacement units which would not only protect the product while in transit, but also to avoid storing unused units during periods of low production. Hiring IBCs has enabled the company to fulfil both requirements."
Dry Solution - M&Ms and Cocoa Powder
Masterfoods in the UK previously used sacks to store and transport its cocoa powder. However, decanting the cocoa powder was difficult, being awkward to handle and labour intensive. The sacks were also difficult to stack and susceptible to splitting and bursting if not handled correctly, leading to costly product wastage and contamination during storage and emptying.
Both the UK and French plants also required a new packaging and handling solution for the transportation of M&Ms between the two countries. A suitable container was needed which would reduce the level of manual handling involved, and to also protect the M&Ms from getting crushed while in transit.
Masterfoods therefore turned to TNT Container Logistics' Pallecon Food Grade Dry container for both the M&Ms and cocoa powder.
The Pallecon Dry container is an ideal replacement for sacks and cardboard containers because it minimises manual handling by being able to be readily filled, stacked, transported and emptied. It also reduces disposal costs and the risk of contamination because a new liner is used each time the container is required.
The container's galvanised steel tube frame means the container is strong and highly durable, ensuring that the M&Ms are prevented from being crushed.
A full range of tilters is also available for controlled discharge of dry products, therefore eliminating the problem of difficult handling and decanting.
Masterfoods currently has a base of several units permanently on hire for M&Ms, where they are filled in either Strasburg in France and transported to Mars in Slough, or vice versa. The units are de-hired to TNT Container Logistics at either Arnhem or West Bromwich when the peak season has ended and they are no longer required.
Liquid Application - Caramel and Cream
Caramel is manufactured by Masterfoods in France and is stored in containers for transport both internally and externally to ice cream manufacturers in Dubai and France.
The cost of purchasing units and the need to have sufficient numbers as and when they were required had become a major concern. The company found itself having to purchase containers to cover periods of peak demand, resulting in large numbers of containers taking up excessive amounts of plant space when empty and not required during periods of low production.
In addition to being able to accommodate changes In production levels, Masterfoods required a flexible solution to be able to hire in one country and de-hire in another, and have the facility to transfer hire between plants.
In the UK, Masterfoods also required a suitable container to transport cream. Having previously purchased drums, again this method had become expensive and the drums had become difficult to maintain, particularly when they needed to be stored during periods of low production.
In both cases, Masterfoods has switched to hiring TNT Container Logistics' Pallecon Food Grade Liquid container, and has been able to reduce costs immediately.
Hiring the Pallecon containers means that the company is able to order sufficient units when required and return them when they are no longer needed. This system also allows for the flexibility required to move units between countries, as they can be hired in one and dehired in another throughout Europe and the Middle East.
For instance, a number of units are hired on a casual basis from TNT Container Logistics in Arnhem. The units are filled with caramel in France and, as well as being transported to other parts of the plant, are also transported externally to Dubai for the production of ice cream and Belgium for the production of chocolate selection boxes at Christmas and Easter. The units are then de-hired in Arnhem.
In the case of cream, containers are hired on a casual basis from West Bromwich and take to Slough. Once filled, the units are transfer hired to France and again de-hired in Arnhem.
The Pallecons are simple to erect and dismantle, and take up minimum amounts of space because they can be stacked five units high when full. When empty, five containers can fit into one vehicle load space, making their transportation and storage more efficient.
The added benefit of hiring the Pallecons means that there are no cleaning costs involved as a different liner is used each time the container is used. This also eliminates the threat of contamination.
Discharging product from the liquid container is quick and simple as only a valve needs to be fitted to empty the contents.
