CHEP UK launches CHEP Stretch

Chep, provider of pallet and container pooling solutions, has announced the launch of Chep Stretch, a new service that allows customers to use a semi-automatic stretch wrap machine on a simple cost-per-wrap contract basis.

The Chep Stretch service works in a similar way to a photocopier lease. Chep provides a stretch wrapping machine, the stretch film, and equipment maintenance.  Customers simply add their product and the pallet, and wraps. So, rather than buying their own stretch wrap machines which require significant investment, or leasing a machine on a hire purchase basis, Chep Stretch is claimed to deliver a more flexible solution.

Commenting on the associated cost comparison between Chep Stretch and the alternative of hand wrapping, Chep UK & Ireland, Commercial Director, Gill Sinclair, said: "Our total cost of ownership calculator shows that for some customers we can halve their total load containment cost with the Chep Stretch solution."

Chep developed the pay-as-you-wrap service in response to customer feedback and specifically designed the service to protect customers from unexpected risk, cost and hassle associated with traditional hand-wrapping, which can be inefficient and does not always provide adequate protection for loads in transit.

Chep Stretch delivers the following benefits:

• Protection from risk: improved product presentation; safer, more stable loads and less manual handling that significantly reduces the potential for safety incidents; efficient film stock-holding; management of peaks and troughs in demand; reliable machinery with equipment fully maintained and managed by Chep; BS EN415-6 compliant[1].

• Protection from unexpected costs: less product damage and fewer rejected loads; minimised unproductive hours; elimination of unpredictability; reduced risk of film price fluctuations; no capital investment required.

• Protection from hassle: elimination of inefficient wrapping; less re-work of rejected loads; guaranteed inclusive maintenance.

Chep UK & Ireland, Commercial Director, Gill Sinclair, said: "At CHEP, we're seeking to build better supply chains together with customers by helping them store, protect and move their products through the supply chain in a cost effective, safe and environmentally sound way. Chep Stretch is an important addition to our service offers, and we've already successfully trialled the service with a small number of customers. We're looking forward to broadening the offer with more customers in the very near future."

Chep first launched Chep Stretch in Australia and New Zealand several years ago and now owns and operates the largest fleet of stretch wrap machines in the Southern Hemisphere. In the UK, CHEP has partnered with Lantech, a stretch wrapping industry pioneer since 1972 and the world's largest manufacturer of stretch wrapping equipment, having sold over 65,000 machines.

^{[1] BS EN 415-6 British Standard for Safety of Packaging Machines - Pallet Wrapping Machines.}