Schoeller Allibert pallet collars are the right fit for Hermes

Handling upwards of 200 million parcels per year for deliveries to customers’ homes or workplaces, Hermes works with household name retailers and ensures that 95 per cent of its parcels are delivered first time, through a network of more than 10,000 couriers. Such a complex operation requires the utmost efficiency at each depot and, after witnessing pallet collars in action at the warehouse of one of its clients, Hermes decided to investigate the benefits for its own network.

Schoeller Allibert’s pallet collars can be used in conjunction with wooden or plastic pallets in either standard UK (1200x1000mm) or Euro (1200x800mm) sizes to create a temporary yet robust bulk container, protecting uneven or irregularly shaped loads and simplifying handling in time-critical operations.

Carl Lyon, Head of Operational Development & Support at Hermes explains: “Previously, we used large strengthened sacks or shrink wrap to transport our customers’ parcels within the courier network, but became aware of pallet collars as a potential alternative and so began a consultation with Schoeller Allibert to discuss the benefits for our own operations.

“Since introducing the pallet collars, our goods are easier to sort and transport within our courier network, which has led to the time savings and efficiency improvements that we hoped to achieve for our customers. As a result, we have just placed a repeat order for an additional 15,000 as we have been so impressed with the first batch.”

Locking securely into a base pallet, Schoeller Allibert’s pallet collars feature hinged sides which enable them to fold flat after use, optimising vehicle fill on return journeys. As well as protecting awkwardly-shaped loads, plastic pallet collars also effectively counter the health and safety risks of wooden alternatives – including sharp edges and splintering.

Eugene McLaughlin, Global Account Manager for Schoeller Allibert, explains: “Pallet collars can help parcel carriers like Hermes make considerable savings on packaging waste, as unlike cardboard and shrink-wrapping, they can be reused time and time again. Like all Schoeller Allibert products they are manufactured from robust plastic, which has a long usable life and can be fully recycled at the end of it.

“Able to carry a load of up to 500kg, based on a typical base pallet with four collars stacked two units high, this solution is suitable for transporting heavy duty goods while protecting the most delicate items. Collars are built up in 30cm high stages to suit size and height of contents, preventing the distribution of wasted space and eliminating the time and cost of stretch wrapping.”