Chelmer Foods, a leading supplier of dried fruits, nuts, seeds, and pulses for industries including cereal manufacturing, bakeries, snack foods, and food service suppliers, has partnered with Tosca to streamline its pallet management operations. By switching to Tosca’s pooled plastic pallets, Chelmer Foods significantly reduced complexity, achieved quality consistency, and bolstered customer satisfaction.
Addressing Operational Challenges with Innovative Pallet Management
Due to its business growth, Chelmer Foods faced mounting challenges associated with managing thousands of pallets across four internal locations. With a global sourcing network spanning over 20 countries, Chelmer Foods was managing around 6,000 second-hand plastic pallets, whose inconsistent quality led to ongoing issues with durability and reliability, creating operational inefficiencies. Breakages and repairs not only took up valuable resources but also impacted customer satisfaction. Additionally, Chelmer Foods needed a reliable, efficient solution to meet its customers’ fast-growing demand for food-grade plastic pallets.
Chelmer Foods recognised that a more sustainable, efficient approach was essential to meeting both operational needs and customer expectations. Simon Heather, Director at Chelmer Foods, reflects on their initial situation and the search for a dependable partner: “Since the initial discussions with Tosca began, the process has been extremely straightforward and has genuinely reduced the noise surrounding plastic pallets & associated issues.”
Tosca’s Solution: Reliable, Cost-Effective, and Customer-Centric
Chelmer Foods switched to Tosca’s MP3/DIC 1210 pooled reusable plastic pallets, immediately experiencing the benefits of this solution. Tosca’s food-grade MP3/DIC 1210 pallets offered consistently high quality, immediately eliminating the issue of broken pallets that had previously complicated Chelmer Foods’ operations. The seamless transition not only improved customer satisfaction but also built on existing relationships, as many of Chelmer Foods’ customers were already familiar with Tosca’s reliable service.
Tosca’s pooling system also relieved Chelmer Foods of the burdens associated with pallet maintenance, repairs, and logistics. No longer needing to worry about pallet tracking or breakages, Chelmer Foods was able to refocus efforts on its core business. With Tosca handling all aspects of pallet management, the efficiency gains also extended to significant savings, as the time and effort Chelmer Foods previously spent on pallet repairs and collections were drastically reduced.
The switch to Tosca’s pooled reusable plastic pallets enabled Chelmer Foods to meet the growing demand for plastic pallets and strengthened its customer relationships, as well as improving supply chain reliability. Additionally, Tosca’s established connections with many of Chelmer Foods’ customers, ensured a seamless and trusted process.
Simon Heather, Director at Chelmer Foods, is impressed with the smooth transition to Tosca’s solution: “Tosca’s pre-existing relationships with our customers have certainly made for a smooth transition, and it has gone exactly as planned.”
Collaborating for a Sustainable and Forward-Looking Supply Chain
Looking ahead, Chelmer Foods is actively collaborating with Tosca on several initiatives supporting its efficiency and sustainability goals. The two companies are exploring the potential use of Tosca pallets for inbound overseas deliveries, an initiative that would further streamline the supply chain. Chelmer Foods is also considering the introduction of Tosca’s foldable bins, aligning with industry trends that increasingly favour plastic for regulatory compliance.
Heather speaks to the value of Tosca’s adaptability and long-term collaboration, sharing, “Looking forward is always slightly tricky with demand from our customers ever-changing, but in Tosca, I know that we have a partner that is flexible and has a willingness to try to solve those demands alongside us.”
Through its partnership with Tosca, Chelmer Foods has redefined its pallet management approach, achieving operational efficiencies, enhancing customer satisfaction, and embracing a sustainable future. This successful collaboration showcases how a tailored, high-quality pooling solution can address complex supply chain needs, empowering businesses to meet evolving market demands while reducing operational burdens.
