Plastic containers are not just beneficial for Fresh Produce itself but also handling & storage

Designed to make handling easier, the Marco Plastics’ bin are considerably lighter than wood, this increases ease of handling by the workers on the farms and forklift trucks.

Workers only handle bins when they need to be turned or pushed into place unlike wood where there is more effort required.

Shaped feet and 4 way entry improves movement when forklifts are being used around the factory and warehouse. This improves productivity especially when the process involves 2 lifts, the second lift can be made faster and simpler from 90 degrees.

Shipping and storing is another fantastic feature of the Macro Bins as they can be nested therefore reducing space and costs. The design allows for three bins to be nested inside each other. As you can see from the video, one bin can be stored on its side inside another. Then a third can be flipped upside down and slotted on top to form a box. As a result, it reduces space and cost by a third compared to wooden bins.

Outstanding durability, built to withstand impacts that would ruin a wooden bin. Being on a farm and being handled by heavy machinery there are going to be instances of heavy impact. As the bin is built to withstand more than wood that reduces the costs of repairs and replacements. The Macro Bin can be repaired through hot air welding, a cost effective method that extends the life of the bin, something can’t be done with wood. The plastic that Macro Bins are made from are UV resistant therefore can be stored outside in warm climates without having to worry they are going be damaged.

Then when you do eventually reach a point when you would like to replace the bin they can be recycled, which you will be able to receive a fee for. So not only is the bin cost effective to purchase and use but at the end of its lifecycle it provide revenue. 

Keeping fruit fresher for longer with Macro Plastic bins

In an age when customers want the freshest fruit and vegetables possible all year round, growers are required to step up to these demands which the market dictates to them.

As with all areas of business, when demands change you need to keep with the market and to do that your practises and tools need to evolve over time.

In order to, provide customers with fresher apples that have a longer shelf life Crane & Crane are now using plastic bins throughout their growing process instead of wood.

Ventilation is key to keeping the fruit fresher forlonger.  The fruit cools more rapidly in storage in plastic, producing a better piece of fruit in terms of appearance and taste. Crucially, this enhances its shelf life which in turn reduces waste and costs.

As opposed to wood, that Crane & Crane were using previously, the plastic containers have ventilation holes throughout. Ventilation and the cooling process are vital for Crane & Crane in America due to the climate. There is an increased need for the quick cooling methods in the orchards and farms across southern Europe and Asia too due to the warm climate all year round. These slight adjustments from wood to plastic can benefit the bottom line of the business by reducing costs.

In order for Crane & Crane to supply apples globally all year round they have the world largest cooling facility. Storage is a key area of their operation and the plastic bins play a large role in this process.

The plastic bins stack and store a lot better than wooden bins. Crane & Crane are impressed with the interlocking design as the bins can be stacked higher than wooden and are a lot safer. This improves the handling process and productivity whilst storing the apples, reducing the time the forklift drivers need when ensuring bins are stacked correctly. All they have to do is line them up, send them down and the bins lock into place in a straight stack.

Crane & Crane have invested money in this as they saw see a benefit to their consumers and customers which naturally benefited their business.

Everything comes back to quality which has never changed over the decades they have been producing apples. What has changed is how they deliver that quality. One of these changes has been the move to Macro Plastics’ bin. 

When it comes to food quality and safety it has to be plastic bins over wood!

Crane & Crane continuously strive to make improvements to the safety and quality standards they have on their 1000 acre farm in Washington. As a global supplier of over 7 million apples per year, need to ensure that they get the right produce to the customers globally all year round.

In order to improve their safety and quality standards, they have moved the whole farm from old wooden bins that have been used for decades to Macro Plastics’ bin. This has transformed their operations from the orchard to the warehouse through to storage.

You can see in the video how moving to 100% plastic has instantly helped improve the quality of their fresh produce.

With fresh produce now being required all year round on a global scale food safety is taken very seriously throughout the system. Plastic bins offer far better safety standards that wooden bins cannot provide.

The bins are non-porous meaning that they can be cleaned and sanitised a lot easier than wood. They won’t harbour pathogenic or spoilage organisms.

The plastic bins flex less than wooden bins that Crane & Crane have used previously. This gives the content more protection when they are being transported around the farm the orchards and into storage. This considerably reduces the risk of bruising, improving quality levels and reducing waste. 

The Hybrid Bin is coming to Interpoma, Bolzano – The capital of Apples in Europe

Next week I will be exhibiting the Hybrid Bin from MacroPlastics at the Interpoma trade show in Bolzano, Italy.

Where better to exhibit and demonstrate this market leading packaging solution than in Europe’s largest apple growing region.

The Hybrid Bin is a perfect fit for Interpoma, a revolutionary product improving the efficiency of the transportation of apples. The aim of the show is to act as a forum for the latest trends and products; the Hybrid Bin is where the fresh produce is going.

The Hybrid Bin is the first of its kind, merging plastic and wood for the first time to bring the logistics of fresh produce into the 21^st century.

The freshness and taste are the two fundamentals when consumers are purchasing fresh produce. Therefore, handling and packaging are integral to maintaining the quality of apples.

I will be exhibiting the Hybrid Bin at the Interpoma trade show in Bologna from the 20^th -22nd November. This is a perfect opportunity for the apple growers in the region to see the Hybrid Bin first hand, giving you a clear idea of how this product can perform for your business.

Had enough of the old wooden bins and cardboard? Are they no     longer suitable for your needs?

The perforations on all sides of the bin reduce the cooling time considerably quicker than those that are in wooden and cardboard bins. The reason behind this is to maintain consistent air flow through the apples during the storage process; this aids the quality and shelf life of the apples. With increased attention being paid to hygiene standards, using plastic makes it easier to clean and maintain therefore reducing contamination compared to cardboard which absorbs moisture.

Removing cardboard or wood from your packaging process allows you to reduce your costs through a longer life cycle and reduced waste of a plastic alternative. The Hybrid Bin has an increased pack out which is another financial gain in terms of transport costs. The Hybrid Bin can be safely nested into stacks and removed from the wooden frames, reducing space and costs on the return journey back to the grower.

The Hybrid Bin is the first of its kind on the packaging market and has been designed with the fresh produce growers’ needs at the forefront of the process. 

I look forward to attending Interpoma this week and meeting the fresh produce growers in Bolzano and being able to showcase a product that can transform their packaging and logistics of their goods.

What are you looking for from Fruit Attraction this year?

As a fresh produce grower you will no doubt be looking for solutions to the issues that you have had for a long time. You may have come across solutions that have ticked some of your boxes but not all of them, so you have decided against looking into it further.

Now, this has changed in the shape of the HybridBin. A product that caters for all a fruit and vegetable grower could want from their returnable packaging solution.

The detail that has gone into the design of the HybridBin has allowed Macro Plastics to produce a revolutionary packaging solution.

I will be exhibiting the HybridBin at the Fruit Attraction trade show in Madrid from the 15^th -17^th October. This is a perfect opportunity for fresh produce growers to see the HybridBin first hand, giving you a clear idea of how this product can perform for your business.

Have you been meaning to look for a new returnable solution for your produce but not got round to it?

Had enough of the old wooden bins? Are they no longer suitable for your needs?

Well, the Fruit Attraction show is a fantastic opportunity for you to invest some of your time in getting to know what the HybridBin can do compared to your existing bulk bin solution. The HybridBin is the first product of its kind to merge wood with plastic with the fundamental aims concentrating on a return on investment and improve the quality of produce delivered to the buyers.

The HybridBin is set to transform the way the fresh produce industry transports their goods and the results they can produce in this increasingly competitive market.

Feel free to visit the Macro Plastics’ stand in Hall 3 Stand 3F05C. I will be more than happy to answer any of your questions and talk you through the product.

Transportation & Storage of the Hybrid Bin

In our previous blogs on the Hybrid Bin we have looked at the benefits to the quality of the fresh produce.

The benefits that the Hybrid Bin delivers to the logistics and transportation of fresh produce as well as the storage are revolutionary to the market. The design process not only focused on the fresh produce but also the handling and usage of the returnable packaging solution.

Shipping and transportation costs are on the increase and there is a great need to reduce costs where possible and drive value for money.

The Hybrid Bin is the first product in the world to combine wood and plastic bins that can be safely nested on the return journey therefore reducing the space required. This method reduces the delivery costs, providing the cheapest plastic returnable compared to what is currently available on the market.

The interlocking design has improved the safety element when stacking with fresh produce in. The bins can be securely stacked ten bins high, ensuring the contents is safe with a bruise buffer and reducing the risk of toppling over and causing injury. With health and safety being a hot topic it has to be a fundamental area of the product.

The secure stack and nesting improvements in comparison to products already on the market are also focused on when the Hybrid Bin is not in use. Secure stacking allows growers to have higher stacks therefore reducing space required for storage. They are less susceptible to be damaged by the wintery conditions or blown over.  

The Cost Down Alternative to Wood in the Fresh Produce Industry

Driving down costs at any point during the supply chain will draw attention. This is where the Hybrid Bin enters the frame in the fresh produce industry.

Wood has been the main material used in the transportation of fresh produce for decades and because it has been used for so long there has been little thought about alternative materials.

The nature of market pressures and evolution is now forcing the fresh produce industry to look into alternatives. The main market pressures are cost and achieving value for money, in order to comply with these areas new materials are the only way forward. Plastic is the only sensible option in choosing a new material.

Using the Hybrid Bin as returnable packaging for your fresh produce is the most economical way of replacing wooden bins. The Hybrid Bin is more environmentally friendly, hygienic and easier to wash than wooden bins. This is coupled with the Hybrid Bin being more durable and having a longer lifespan than current wooden bins which automatically reduces the overall cost for growers.

The pack out of the Hybrid Bin compared to the current wooden bins is a marked improvement, increasing value for money in comparison to wood and then, in the long run, reduced costs as you will require less bins. The reduction on cost is considerable and the availability to nest in transport.

All aspects of the Hybrid Bin point to financial improvements over the existing wooden bins.

Don’t take all of this as gospel, come and experience the financial efficiencies for yourself. I can arrange the opportunity of a FREE trial of the bins to see first-hand and compare to your existing bulk packaging. 

The Hybrid Bin taking Hygiene and Product Quality Standards to the Next Level

Supermarkets and fresh produce retailers are striving for fresher produce and higher quality standards. Alongside this is food hygiene and protecting the goods.

Macro Plastics’ Hybrid Bin are made from virgin polypropylene, FDA approved plastic certified for safe use with food products. So not only are they safe, the Hybrid Bins are environmentally friendly which is another key element of the fresh produce market today. Also this provides a residual value to the product at the end of its life cycle as they can then be recycled.

Safety, hygiene and quality are three key components that we at Macro Plastics have concentrated on in the design of the Hybrid Bin. Ventilation and the ease of cleaning and maintaining were high on the agenda.

The Hybrid Bin comes with ventilated surfaces and solid surfaces. The ventilated bin is available to the fresh produce and citrus markets and the solid hybrid is ideal for the juicing and meat industries as well as other markets. 

The ventilated version of the bin allows the products to cool as quickly as possible ensuring there is a constant air flow throughout the product therefore increasing product life.  The ventilation slots are coupled with nonporous surfaces to reduce liquid absorption leading to fresher produce resulting in better quality and longer shelf life, exactly what fresh produce retailers crave.

The surfaces and rounded corners of the Hybrid bin are designed to reduce the risk of damage from bruising and improve the quality of the product when it is delivered to the processor or packer/ retailer. Also, the Hybrid Bin is easy to clean and sanitize, this improves hygiene standards reducing the risk of contamination from different products.

The Hybrid Bin delivers on all of these areas to levels that wood has never been able to achieve, this is the perfect way for the fresh produce to move forward in terms of bulk packaging in the supply chain.

Macro Plastics is able to offer the opportunity of a free trial period to use the Hybrid Bin as a trial without yet making a decision from wooden bins. You can then see how the bin works and improve your efficiencies. 

Why are Fresh Produce Growers still using Wooden Bins?

Macro Plastics’ Hybrid Bin is the perfect packaging solution for the fresh produce industry at every stage from harvesting, storage to shipping. Plastic has to be the material of choice for the produce industry as it ensures the quality of its contents from field to supermarket.

Wood is no longer a viable option for the fresh produce industry due to increased risk of contamination and required hygiene standards. Therefore, plastic is the only solution with the Hybrid Bin being the first on the market.

The Hybrid Bin uses both plastic and wood together to create the most cost effective and efficient returnable bulk bin of its kind. The plastic bins sit inside wooden frames that the growers are able to make from their existing wooden bins. This reduces waste as the old materials are not just thrown away, reducing the cost of moving to the new plastic alternative.

The reluctance to use plastic has always been down to the increased costs over using wood. Now with the blend of both, the Hybrid Bin is able to offer fresh produce growers all the benefits of plastic at an affordable cost. The Hybrid Bin answers all of the issues that wood and cardboard have never been able to do.

Reducing damage is one of the pertinent issues for growers, driving down the cost of damages to their produce has a direct effect on their bottom line. Wood has been one of the main materials used to ship fresh produce but is susceptible to splinters and contamination. Macro Plastics’ Hybrid Bin offers a strong alternative.

The Hybrid Bin with its smooth edges is able to increase the pack out reducing the risk of bruising and damage compared to using wooden bins. The Hybrid Bin is perforated therefore keeping the contents fresh and is able to cool the produce effectively.

When being returned the bins are nested inside each other and the wooden frames can be placed inside ready for the grower to use again in the field.  These features are considerable financial improvements over the basic wooden bins.

When not in use over the Winter months, the growers can nest them in straight stacks. This reduces both the storage space required and damages from being blown over in wintery conditions, something that cannot be said for the current wooden bins.

The Hybrid Bin is now being used in the US as a direct replacement to wooden bins which are no longer viable. They have been designed in response to fresh produce grower’s demand for a cost-effective solution.

This is the answer to European growers packaging problems.

And it is available on a FREE trial.

We invite you to trial the Hybrid Bin in your own environment and experience all of the benefits for yourself. 

London Produce Show – Where is the fresh produce market going?

Everyone from the growers, the retailers, and the catering industry through to the consumer all want one thing when it comes to produce – freshness. The importance of freshness and the quality of fruit and vegetables is at its highest level and looks set to grow, this is the challenge for the fresh produce market.

In order to deliver the freshest produce supermarkets and fresh produce retailers are looking to reduce the contact points of their goods from the grower to the shelf to one touch. This is where shelf ready packaging is now in high demand and to maintain the freshness and increase the shelf life it is imperative to reduce the supply chain timings. The handling of fresh produce only once before the end consumer buys it is vital. The responsibility of the grower to also be the processor and packer into shelf ready bins / totes is a must. With the correct packaging at the correct prices this is now manageable and available.

Using plastic as opposed to cardboard cools the produce 60% quicker and protects the contents throughout the supply chain which reduces damage. Handling is also reduced as the 2^nd handling process in the country of destination is cut out.

Improving the freshness and quality through speeding up the supply chain adds to the shelf life of the produce and this in turn dramatically reduces the retailer’s waste costs.

When it comes to looking at alternatives in anything to do with business often there tends to be areas that are left behind.  There are now returnable packaging options available that meet all of those above requirements to the highest possible standards leaving no stone unturned, and at the competitive pricing as a result of one trip.

The plastic 5-FV tote and 330 Shuttle Bin are designed for ease of use for the grower to place their produce in and to ship them effectively, hygienically and reducing damage that can then be placed straight onto supermarket shop floors.

 Both of these products are available as one trip options which is the beauty of plastic. The fresh produce industry has commonly used expendable packaging, the collapsible tote and bin are a returnable alternative that reduces packaging costs and improves return on investment.

The tote then complies with the usual requirements of a packaging solution. The reinforced corner edge allows them to be stacked confidently 10 high per pallet, this is opposed to cardboard that is commonly used and is susceptible to collapse due to moisture.

I look forward to visiting the London Produce Show to understand what the market is after and to show them how I can help them improve the performance of their supply chain by delivering top quality produce. 

Do away with your Cardboard Boxes

Where is the fresh produce market going in terms of packaging?

The two key questions that contribute to this are along the lines of – what do they require to grow and how you do you deliver on these requirements and make savings?

As a grower of fresh produce, how would you feel if you could transport your goods with using cardboard?

Cardboard is an age old packaging material that has been used to transport a whole manner of goods in all shapes and sizes.  Have you looked at alternative solutions that you could move to for the same costs but improve all round efficiency and quality?

Fresh produce are a delicate yet heave good to pack and transport. The durability of cardboard is an issue when weight is concerned.

The other concern with cardboard and its durability is when it is stacked or becomes damp. This then has a direct impact on the products it contains. These disadvantages can become quite costly both financially and to a company’s reputation.

An additional issue is freshness and quality that is essential for the customer. If the packaging is susceptible to collapsing or deforming when in transportation there is going to be a negative impact on the quality of the product as a result of damage which incurs costs. As cardboard boxes wither have solid surfaces or slight perforation at best and then an open top, therefore there is a restriction to the air flow which has a knock on effect in reducing the freshness.

At Macro Plastics we have an affordable one trip plastic merchandising box which goes straight onto the shelves of supermarkets. This is a direct alternative to the cardboard packaging, which is exactly what the supermarkets are looking for.

With the solution that we provide also fits in with the supermarkets desires of limited contact in the supply chain process. The application ensures that the produce is only touched once in the supply chain which is the grower before being purchased by the consumer. This removes the whole process of handling, which saves costs and reduces the chances of damage. A perfect alternative to cardboard.

Macro Plastics are continuously looking at how efficiency and quality can be improved, looking towards new plastic alternatives is continuously on the agenda.

Plastic is the packaging material of choice for the coming period of logistics. How would you like a packaging solution that provides the following elements?

·         Ensuring your produce is fresh for up to three days

·         Cooling produce 60% quicker than cardboard

·         Stop the crushing of products on the bottom layers

·         Zero contamination

·         Option for 100% recycle of reuse

·         Direct merchandising solution

Fruit Logistica – What exactly is it?

Fruit Logistica isn’t too far away now, so that means that the launch of the Macro Plastics Hybridbin is nearly upon us.

Fruit Logistica is running from the 5^th – 7^th February in Berlin and is the largest exhibition in the fresh produce industry. It is not just about the fruit and vegetables, the event brings together anything connected to the industry into one hub.

There will be in the region of 2,500 companies being represented in Berlin, me being one of them as the front for Macro Plastics. The large number of companies attending will range from producers to packaging, press to internet solutions. Any function that is involved with fresh produce from growing all the way through to the end of the process in arriving to the consumer will be present.

That is why this is the ideal location to launch the Hybridbin to the fresh produce market. In this day and age in business as well as in life there are two main aims. Firstly, to save as much money as possible and reduce costs. Secondly, get as much for your money as possible. The Hybridbin delivers both of these to the fresh produce industry.

People attending Fruit Logistica are looking for the new additions to the market and getting value for money. For producers looking to get value for money Fruit Logistica is the best shop window in the world, with everything on offer. If a product or service associated with the fresh produce industry isn’t at the exhibition, it is not worth considering. This goes back to why I am launching the Hybridbin in Berlin.

I will be in the US Pavilion in Hall 23 Stand A03, come and see how the Hybridbin can improve your fresh produce supply chain, saving you money and improving quality of your product. 

Fruit Logistica – Hybridbin

Why is Plastic the material of choice? Why do we all love plastic bins for handling fruit?

The New Hybridbin by Macro Plastics caters for all the packaging requirements in order to help the agricultural industry deliver quality, fresh produce to their customer. I will be launching the new Hybridbin at the Fruit Logistica Exhibition in Berlin from the 5^th - 7^th February.

As Fruit Logistica is the world’s largest trade show for the fresh produce industry, there is no better venue to launch Macro Plastics’ latest product that is aimed at helping fruit and vegetable producers improving their storage and supply chain solutions.

Using plastic as the material of choice to store fresh fruit has far ranging benefits which contribute to the quality of the product when they are bought by the customer.

When it comes to packaging solutions we all know they have to fulfil all of the following areas of criteria –

·         Weight restrictions

·         Durability

·         Easy usage

·         Value for money

The Hybridbin is a light alternative to using cardboard which absorbs moisture adding to the weight. The weight of the Hybridbin also helps when it comes to weight restrictions in the transportation process, increasing capacity which in turn helps to reduce costs.

The Hybridbin allows you to make huge savings on transportation costs when they are being returned. The new bins are nested inside each other with the wooden frames folded down; this is opposed to rigid containers that are stacked which takes up a lot of space which all comes to a cost.

When the bins aren’t being used throughout the year, you are able to make great savings on space as they sit inside each other. This provides a strong stack ensuring they are safe and won’t topple over, which also adds a reduction in damages.

Plastic is a durable material to use in a supply chain which results in little maintenance and repair costs required. Plastic is therefore an option to increase productivity and reduce running costs.

The Hybridbin is easy to use and maintain in terms of sanitation and ventilation. Plastic is easy to clean and does not absorb liquid; both of these elements reduce the risk of carrying diseases especially as the fresh produce is a global industry.

The quality of fruit is dependent on the freshness when it arrives to the customer; the ventilation in the Hybridbin allows the produce to cool quickly keeping the fruit as fresh as possible. This is in comparison to cardboard that has solid surfaces where the only way of ventilation is the open top.

The Hybridbin by Macro is recyclable, this not only helps in terms of the environment and going green. This is beneficial to the fruit industry as there is a high residual value at the end of the products life. So not only is there a decrease in waste compared to using cardboard as a packaging material, by using a Macro Hybridbin there is added value in the form of income from recycling.

I will be introducing the Hybridbin at the Fruit Logistica exhibition in Berlin from 5^th -7^th February. This is a brand new product on the market that helps producers save money and improve the effectiveness of their returnable packaging solutions in the industry.

The Marco Plastics stand will be in the US Pavilion in Hall 23 Stand A03.

How can your supply chain be improved with the Hybridbin?

A packaging solution like the Hybridbin provides an edge over competitors as it moves the fruit supply chain into the 21^st century.

Cost savings are the obvious benefit, by purchasing the Hybridbin removes the continuous purchase of cardboard and wood. Other benefits include savings on storage costs, increased capacity, freshness of products as a result of the improved ventilation, bruise buffer to reduce damages and reduction in transport costs.

The Hybridbin brings together plastic and wood in an effective product that aims to transform the supply chain for fruit producers. The wood provides a structural frame adding support and the plastic is made from FDA-approved materials and has smooth surfaces and rounded corners helping to reduce damage to the products.

The Hybridbin also significantly reduces shipping costs both the frame and bins can be effectively stored on return. The plastic bins can be nested and the frames can be collapsed and shipped separately. This is in comparison to containers already on the market that are stacked as opposed to sitting inside each other.

The storage benefits are also in relation to storing the bins when they are not being used. As they can be nested it saves on the space as you are able to have more in a stack. The Hybridbin is also safer than other containers as the stacks are more rigid and the risk of them toppling over is considerably lower.

It is known within the industry that wood is a cheaper alternative but has its downfalls; this is the reason why Marco Plastics have merged together plastic and wood. This provides our customers with the best of both worlds. This is a cost-effective packaging solution that delivers quality products.

The Hybridbin is the most economical agriculture plastic bulk bin on the market ensuring efficiency improvements and high food safety standards. 

The Hybridbin will be launched at the Fruit Logistica exhibition in Berlin from the 5^th – 7^th February in the US Pavilion, Hall 23, Stand A03.