EPAL load carriers: a vital link in the international transport chain

European Pallet Association e.V. (EPAL)

PRESS RELEASE

EPAL load carriers: a vital link in the international transport chain

The production and repair of EPAL pallets and Box pallets is essential for the Europe-wide availability of goods and essential services

Düsseldorf, 30th March 2020 – The European Pallet Association e.V. (EPAL) endorses the statements made by the European Federation of Wooden Pallet & Packaging Manufacturers (FEFPEB), demanding that the production and repair of wooden packaging rank amongst the essential industries and be deemed part of the supply chain for vital sectors and critical services in the coronavirus crisis.

Without load carriers, including the over 600 million EPAL pallets and 20 million Box pallets, there would be considerable supply bottlenecks in the food sector as well as in the chemical and medical industries. In these supply chains, wooden pallets and wooden packaging are of vital importance for the smooth and uninterrupted transport of goods.

The wooden packaging industry has already been classed ‘essential’ in Italy, the United Kingdom and in Belgium. A similar decision is expected in France and in the Netherlands. In Germany, the federal system has so far prevented a single, nationwide solution. EPAL is therefore supporting the German Association for Wooden Packaging, Pallets and Export Packing (Bundesverband Holzpackmittel, Paletten, Exportverpackung – HPE e.V.), which is pushing for a speedy, standard solution.

Furthermore, as an international association, EPAL is backing the calls of its members in the national associations of all European countries – producers and repairers of EPAL load carriers – to recognise their status of ‘essential companies’ in the crisis and beyond, and in this way safeguard the essential flow of goods.

Christian Kühnhold, EPAL CEO, “Euro pallets’ two billion rotations annually speak for themselves. Only with the corresponding goods from industry – but also the availability of load carriers – is the current supply of foodstuffs achievable. All those working with pallets are doing everything possible to also guarantee the significantly greater demand in particular areas.”

About EPAL:

The European Pallet Association e.V. (EPAL) ensures a smooth flow of goods in the logistics world with over 600 million EPAL Euro pallets and 20 million box pallets in the world’s biggest open exchange pool. Founded in 1991 as the umbrella association of licensed producers and repairers of EPAL load carriers, EPAL is globally responsible for their consistent quality. EPAL pallets are produced from sustainably grown, CO2-neutral wood, can be repaired and recycled, and reduce transport distances thanks to their high level of availability. As a registered association, EPAL does not pursue any commercial interests and makes all its decisions in the interests of its industry, retail and logistics partners. EPAL is represented in over thirty countries by fourteen National Committees which have committed themselves to implementing the EPAL objectives.

For further press information:

European Pallet Association e.V. (EPAL)
Andrea Engels
T +49(0)211984804893
M +49 (0) 172 69 325 95
andrea.engels@epal-pallets.org
www.epal.eu