Walmart US, Bentonville, Ark., partnered with IFCO Systems US, Tampa, Fla., to provide Walmart’s U.S. stores with a new generation of wood grain reusable plastic containers (RPCs) for wet and dry produce.
The new wood grain RPC will provide superior merchandising opportunities for Walmart with its natural wood grain look, combined with exceptional features such as excellent stability and cooling functionality.
“This agreement expands IFCO’s long and successful partnership with Walmart that began in 2000,” says Dorn Orgeldinger, vice president of produce for Walmart. “IFCO is committed to deploying our significant logistics expertise, production capacity and global infrastructure in service to all our retail partners. We are pleased Walmart has once again turned to IFCO, the leading global provider of reusable packaging solutions, to ensure the successful implementation of its RPC program.”
“IFCO is one of Walmart’s most important partners and is a natural fit to help us meet our ambitious fresh produce goals in 2015 and beyond,” adds Wenninger. “No other RPC company can match IFCO’s scale and experience, and we look forward to working together to enhance the in-store experience for Walmart shoppers.”
Under the agreement, IFCO’s wood grain RPCs will initially be used to pack and ship dry produce, including apples, potatoes, onions and citrus items.
IFCO RPCs are more efficient, better protect and cool product and are more environmentally sustainable than one-way packaging. They also transition easily from transportation to in-store displays. That’s because IFCO uses state-of-the-art, globally standardized sanitation processes, equipment and detergents in its RPC wash process.
“Because of its market-leader status and operating depth, IFCO is best positioned to supply Walmart and other retailers with the quantity and quality of RPCs they need for 2016 and beyond. No other supplier can match IFCO’s scope, nor its manufacturing and wash capacity,” adds Orgeldinger.
