Pack Expo 2014

RPA seeks members for its End User Committee

By Jenny Eagle

- Last updated on GMT

Reusable Packaging Association Pack Expo

Related tags Dole food company Food Pepsico

The Reusable Packaging Association (RPA), which promotes the value and expansion of reusable packaging systems, is staging its education forum – the Reusables Learning Centre (RLC) again this year at Pack Expo in Chicago.

Members of RPA include the suppliers of reusables and end users including The Kroger Company.

Reusable Packaging Forum

Robert Engle, chairman/president, RPA and CEO, International Contract Molding, (ICM) told FoodProductionDaily.com it created a User Advisory Committee that provides guidance and feedback to the RPA Board and staff on issues and trends affecting users of returnable transport packaging systems.

We are hosting a Reusable Packaging Forum in Chicago, April 27 - 29. The Forum will be geared to all skill levels of end users​,” he said.

Content will focus on the various stages of adoption of a reusable transport packaging solution (concept understanding, acceptance, implementation and refinement)​.

We just finished a redesign of our website to provide more resources and tools for end users. Soon, we will launch a Connected Community on the website to give end users an avenue to network with each other​.” 

The association has also created an industry-wide committee to establish sanitation standards and guidelines for reusable containers used throughout the food supply chain.

Dole Food Company

Members of the committee include Dole Food Company, Canadian Produce Marketing Association, and United Fresh Produce Association.

The new initiatives for end users are in direct response to insights gleaned from a roundtable of end users that the RPA hosted this spring​,” added Engle.

The roundtable members told us end users want an impartial, third-party resource for information, and they felt RPA could be that trusted source​.

The formation of the food safety committee was driven in part by retail supporters of reusables who need documented guidelines to share with members of their supply chains​.”

Speaking about Pack Expo, Engle said attendees can learn about implementing reusables by attending presentations at RPA’s Reusables Learning Center.

The ses­sions include Reusables 101 for com­pa­nies just start­ing to explore the con­cept of reusables, end-user accounts by vet­eran users, and updates from sup­pli­ers.

The food safety committee plans to issue its recommendations in November.

RLC is on RPA booth #6866 within the Reusable Packaging Pavilion in the Lake­side Build­ing of McCormick Place at Pack Expo.

RPA sessions

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Noon – 12:45  RPA Keynote Session: Reusables 101: ​A complete guide to deploying reusables in your supply chain 

2:00 – 2:45    RPA Keynote Session: the Online Reusables Learning Center: ​Learn how to access the reusable industry’s most in-depth library of content 24/7   

Monday, November 3, 2014

9:45 – 10:00    Learning Center Welcome;​ Robert Engle, RPA Chairman

10:00 – 10:45  Tracking Reusable Containers:​ Learn how to select the appropriate solution – identification nameplates, bar codes, or RFID; Kevin Marrie and Nate Golembeske, The Kennedy Group

11:00 – 11:45  Optimize Global Shipments with Customized Dunnage Solutions: ​Learn how companies reduce product damage in transit and improve packing densities across the entire global supply chain with custom dunnage; Bob Petersen, ORBIS Corporation

Noon – 12:45   Best practices for getting the most out of your wooden pallet: ​Ways to reduce pallet damage, pallet operation costs, and pallet-related product damage for optimal reusable results; United Pallet Services, pointGUARD Pallet Protector

1:00 – 1:45      Reusable Packaging Right-Sized:​ How to Evaluate the Right Reusable Container for your Product’s Protection, Internal Handling, and Logistics;David R. McCulloch, Schaefer Systems International 

2:00 – 2:45      Integrating Reusable Packaging within an Omni-Channel Supply Chain:​ Today’s consumer is looking for seamless shopping experiences from retailers - from brick and mortar stores to web sites, and mobile apps to direct mail and catalogs. Retailers are seeking ways to provide the right product, at the right time, in the right place….regardless of channel. Supply chain efficiency and visibility are critical for omni-channel applications. Learn how reusable totes and pallets can drive picking and fulfillment efficiencies; Andrea Nottestad, Senior Marketing Manager, ORBIS Corporation  

3:00 – 3:45      Solving Your Supply Chain Inefficiencies​: Learn how CHEP USA and its partners are using platform standardization and collaboration to create cost-saving efficiencies in their clients’ operations; CHEP Supply Chain Solutions

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

10:00 – 10:45  RPA Keynote Session: RPA 2014 Excellence in Reusable Packaging Award Winners: ​Learn how Svenksa Retursystem and Full Belly Farm gained cost savings and labor efficiencies with reusables.     

11:00 – 11:45  RPC Wash Cycle Efficiency and Sanitation: Exceed current quality and cleanliness standards in your wash cycle – how to improve your processes;​ Paul Pederson, Director of Food Safety, IFCO Systems 

Noon – 12:45  RPA Keynote Session: Reusables 101:​A complete guide to deploying reusable’s in your supply chain

1:00 – 1:45     Mobile Engagement/Pepsi Case Study:​ Learn how Rehrig Pacific’s Mobile Engagement Platform enabled Pepsi Bottling to bridge the gap between mobile marketing and real world marketplace by delivering targeted promotional content, creating greater consumer interaction with the product; Rehrig Pacific 

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