RPCC Becomes the Reusable Packaging Association
(RPA)
Transition Supports Expanded Focus on Reusable Packaging Systems
L
AS VEGAS
, May 5, 2008 - Effective immediately, the Reusable Pallet &
Container
Coalition (RPCC) has become the
Reusable Packaging Association (RPA)
. This
transition is reflective of the organization’s focus on promoting reusable packaging as the
preferred solution for moving, storing, and handling product throughout the entire supply
chain. The RPA is committed to educating the marketplace on the environmental,
economic, and social value that reusable packaging adds at every point of the supply
chain. The announcement was made today at the Food Marketing Institute trade show in Las
Vegas.
“The name change is indicative of our focus on the value and expansion of reusable
packaging systems, rather than specific products, like pallets and containers,”
explained
Fred Heptinstall, RPA President, and President of IFCO RPC Management Services.
“The newly launched Reusable Packaging Association will be even more aggressive in
promoting the economic and environmental benefits of reusable packaging systems
across supply chains in all industries. We will also continue to drive positive change and
provide strong leadership in the growing reusable packaging industry.”
During nearly a decade of existence, the association has grown significantly to include
collaboration among all supply chain partners, including distributors, retailers, educators,
policymakers, and others with a commitment to the value and message of re-use. The
association commissions research projects, conducts studies, publishes guidelines, and
hosts industry events to educate the marketplace about the benefits of reusable packaging.
Moving forward, the RPA will leverage its collective voice of industry leading
knowledge to advance the adoption of reusable packaging by clearly demonstrating
supply chain efficiencies, environmental benefits, ergonomic improvements, and cost
advantages to end users in all industries.
The name change and sharpened competitive focus is the result of an in-depth, strategic
planning effort conducted by the RPA with the support of a strategic planning consultant.
The planning included broad-based member participation, research, and trend analysis
and was modeled after for-profit organizations. The planning team identified three core
strengths that form the pillars of RPA’s new focus and differentiation:
-
Value of reusable packaging – the RPA will leverage the
economic,
environmental, and social impact of reusables to foster market penetration.
-
Recognized expertise and accessible body of knowledge –
the RPA will continue
to provide industry knowledge to promote reusable packaging solutions.
-
Collective voice – the RPA represents the interests of
members from the entire
reusable supply chain as well as end-users.
In addition, in-depth research conducted by the RPA
found that the market for reusable
packaging systems is in its infancy and has very strong future growth potential. Key
findings include:
-
Environmental trends make reusable packaging an attractive solution
to move and
handle products throughout the supply chain, with minimal impact on the
environment.
-
Global population will continue to exert pressure on companies to
decrease the
use of limited, disposable resources.
-
The emerging workforce will demand to work for companies with social
responsibility policies and practices.
-
RFID and tracking will be more prevalent, increasing the adoption of
reusables
and providing better asset control.
“
This is a robust industry with enormous growth potential. The power of the re-use
message and the scope of committed supply chain partners make the RPA uniquely
positioned to be the ultimate source for leadership, resources, and solutions for the
expansion of reusable packaging systems,”
said Jeanie Johnson, executive director, RPA.
About the RPA
The Reusable Pallet & Container Coalition (RPCC) has officially become the
Reusable Packaging Association (RPA). Since 1999, it has been a collaboration
between manufacturers, poolers, distributors, retailers and educators to promote the
environmental, safety, and economic benefits of reusable packaging.
Moving forward, the RPA will leverage its collective voice of industry leading knowledge to
advance the
adoption of reusable packaging by clearly demonstrating supply chain efficiencies,
environmental benefits, ergonomic improvements, and cost advantages to end users in all
industries.
To strengthen and advocate this message of re-use, the RPA’s singular and powerful focus is
to promote the value and expansion of reusable packaging as the preferred solution across supply
chains in all industries. For more information, visit
http://www.choosereusables.org or
call 202-625-4899.
About ORBIS
ORBIS has been a member of RPA for over a decade and has held several leadership
positions within the association.
ORBIS, based in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, helps world-class customers move their product faster,
easier, safer and more cost-effectively. ORBIS uses proven expertise, industry-leading knowledge,
innovation, superior products (containers, pallets and dunnage) and supply chain services (pooling,
cleaning and logistics) to implement plastic returnable packaging systems. To learn more, contact
ORBIS, a subsidiary of Menasha Corporation, at 888-307-2185, visit
www.orbiscorporation.com or click on
info@orbiscorporation.com. [end]
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