100 Leading Companies In Shannon Region Participate In 'the Pallet Exchange'

Lightholler

Shannon Region, IRELAND, Oct 21st, 2006 – Over 100 companies throughout the Shannon region have signed up for a unique waste reduction project involving wanted and unwanted pallets. ‘The Pallet Exchange’ – an 18-month pilot project officially launched this week by Supply Network Shannon – will result in thousands of pallets being reused by participating companies in Limerick City, Shannon, and counties Limerick and Clare. The project is funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Cleaner Greener Programme, as well as Supply Network Shannon and its member companies. The Regional West Management Office and the University of Limerick’s Centre of Environmental Research are also supporting the project.

Pallets are widely used throughout industry, primarily for the shipping of products. Over half a billion pallets are manufactured each year with an estimated 90% of these being made from wood. “Many companies in the Shannon Region dispose of used pallets irrespective of their condition leading to an increase in waste levels and business costs”, said Dick Whelan, Chair of Shannon Supply Network’s Environment,

The main objective of ‘The Pallet Exchange’ is to address the imbalance that exists between companies requiring to source pallets and companies with excess pallets. A central clearinghouse has been established in the Shannon Region to facilitate the storage and subsequent reuse of pallets. According to Mr. Whelan, “We anticipate that the pilot phase of the project will prove that such a system can effectively generate cost savings and in some cases revenue. It will also help to protect the environment and promote a positive public image for the participating companies”.

Mr. Whelan – the owner of a locally based business consultancy firm - added that the pilot phase of the project would feature six seminars on transportation and product packaging. “The seminars will primarily focus on the elimination of excess packaging and the increased handling of reusable packaging. They will also help Supply Network Shannon develop a methodology to manage the existing Pallet Exchange program with a view to extending its reach in terms of geographical area and types of materials for exchange. Already, a number of companies in Tipperary and Kerry have expressed an interest in joining the ‘The Pallet Exchange’ program”, Mr. Whelan concluded.

Supply Network Shannon (SNS is an open sectoral network of engineering and electronics sub supply companies located in the Shannon region. Since being incorporated as a limited liability company in 1999, SNS has introduced a number of initiatives aimed at reinforcing the Shannon region’s position as a world-class source of sub-supply products and services. According to Maurice McLernon, Chairperson of SNS, “The Pallet Exchange is designed to benefit all sub-supply companies in the region, regardless of size or activity. The uptake so far has been very encouraging and is indicative of the benefits of collaborative networks. Through pooling existing competencies and developing new ones, collaborating networks of companies will succeed in the ever-changing regional, national and international manufacturing landscape.”

SNS is driven by an independent Steering Committee whose officers are drawn from nine member companies and two development agencies, Shannon Development and Enterprise Ireland. Shannon Development has provided financial resources and other supports to assist the development of SNS. The University of Limerick also supports the Network through its Small Business Research Unit and Technology Transfer Unit.

Further information on The Pallet Exchange is available on www.snshannon.com.