Technical Papers

The Reusable Container & Pallet Association is pleased to make available technical presentations that have been made in conjunction with the Material Handling Industry's annual trade shows and forums. The following presentations were made at either the Promat or the North American Material Handling and Logistics (NA) Shows. A brief abstract of each of the presentations is shown below. These complete presentations are available for viewing and printing using Adobe Acrobat. Just click on the title of the presentation to connect to the presentation.

Promat 2003 - McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois - February 2003

Container Tracking with RFID Technology sponsored by RCPA member company, TrenStar, Inc., speaker Michael C. Dempsey conducted a presentation on the evolution of container management in the supply chain and the advances in AIDC/RFID technology. He discusses new dimensions in RFID/CMS applications for enhanced tracking and control and gave a live demonstration on site during his session.

Sponsored by RCPA member company Buckhorn, Inc., Larry Porter made a presentation on "An Exchange of Best Practices for Material Handling Systems." He presented clear justification for the implementation of returnable containers by driving greater savings through material handling systems with less product damage, quality and productivity improvements, value of space savings and supply chain benefits.

North American Material Handling and Logistics (NA) Show - Detroit, Michigan, April 10-13, 2000

Presentations numbers 1, 2, and 3 shown below are all part of one .pdf file. Clicking on the title for either of these presentations will allow you to preview and print all three presentations.

1. No Metrics Equals No Management With Returnable Packaging, presented by Tim Honaker, Menasha Services Here's a new idea on how to reduce supply chain costs. You need to measure the performance of an expensive asset like your returnable packaging. Left unmanaged your returnable packaging costs will balloon without any rational explanation. The management of returnable packaging involves measuring and then improving three important cost drivers: cost per use, returnable packaging asset utilization, and average days in cycle.

2. Container Tracking and Container Management, presented by Vic Halpin, International ISO Group, Inc. - Container TRACKER Here's a new idea on how to reduce supply chain costs. You need to measure the performance of an expensive asset like your returnable packaging. Left unmanaged your returnable packaging costs will balloon without any rational explanation. The management of returnable packaging involves measuring and then improving three important cost drivers: cost per use, returnable packaging asset utilization, and average days in cycle.

3. Automatic Data Collection: The Future Begins With a Well-Managed Process and Infrastructure, presented by: Spencer Hoopes, Container and Pallet Services This presentation is in outline form only. The presentation covered the following key areas: The Present Focus; The Next Step, Data, Benefits, The White Board Effect, and Discussion of a Case Study.

4. Warehouse Fire Protection: The Requirements and Trends, presented by: Keith D. Roemer, FM Global Fire protection is a serious issue that affects safety and the bottom line. Learn how your facility can use improved storage principles and sprinkler technologies to provide cost effective prevention and early suppression of fire. Gain a full understanding or your company's responsibilities.

Promat '99 - Chicago, Illinois - February 8-11, 1999

1. Reusable/Returnable Plastic Product Solutions: Lessons Learned, presented by Mark Reynolds, Square D Company In the fall of 1996, the Square D Company began investigating reusable-shipping containers as a way of reducing, expendable shipping material costs. Square D went through an initial "Gap Analysis" with one returnable container supplier who provided a less than good experience. An in-depth selection review of three returnable container suppliers found a new supplier for Square. A three-year contact was signed and the implementation program began at 32 locations in North America.

2. Reusable/Returnable Plastic Containers and Pallets: Engineering guidelines and Fire Protection Needs, presented by William J. Tomes, TVA Fire and Life Safety, Inc. Providing adequate fire protection of "A" Plastics commodity in warehouses and warehouse retail stores has long been debated. Tomes outlines guidelines that were established as a result of nine large-scale fire tests conducting using rack storage arrays that simulated full-scale warehouse retail display and storage arrangements.

Presentations numbers 3 and 4 shown below are all part of one .pdf file. Clicking on the title for either of these presentations will allow you to preview and print all three presentations.

3. Reusable/Returnable Plastics: European Influences and Trends: The Value of Plastics in Transport Packaging, presented by: Nancy Russotto, The Association of Plastics Manufacturers in Europe. Russotto discusses the benefits of returnable transit packaging and looks at the way innovation and technical advances have helped organizations meet logistical and environmental requirements. She demonstrates the importance of plastics with concrete examples from well-known firms across Europe, showing cost efficiency, maintaining product integrity and ensuring environmental protection.

4. Reusable/Returnable Plastics: European Influences and Trends: Returnable Packaging Trends in Great Britain, presented by: Diana Twede, School of Packaging, Michigan State University. The presentation describes the use of returnable packaging for supermarket foods in Great Britain. One reason for the success of the UK supermarkets' returnable packaging initiative has been the structure of their industry. Another factor which favors the use of returnable packaging is the UK retailers' short and well-controlled supply chain. The benefits to the retailing include a reduction of packaging cost and waste, improved protection, and more efficient operation.