Agri-Commerce relies on the experience of Euro Pool System and LPR

In the context of the growing standardization of fruit and vegetable packaging, 80% of the plastic boxes used by Agri-Commerce to transport fruit and vegetables are now reusable. The European specialist in fruit trade has resorted to the experience of Euro Pool System and LPR to optimise its logistical flows and preserve the quality of the products transported.

The two companies have forged a very close relationship based mainly on trust for more than a decade, says Thomas Vico, Packaging Coordinator at Agri-Commerce. "Logistics are the foundations of our activity. We need to work with partners that we can rely on at any time of the year, especially when the demand for boxes peaks. Euro Pool System has always covered our demands within the required deadlines, even when very high quantities have been requested."

In addition to the quality service provided all year round, the use of Euro Pool System plastic boxes brings many advantages to Agri-Commerce. Reusable boxes help reduce the percentage of damaged fruit in the supply chain, compared to the use of cardboard packaging. This is because the boxes fit to one another, which makes loading the pallets easier and safer when preparing the orders from the retailers. The fruit is protected, therefore, from possible crushing during its handling in the different stages of the transport process.

The specialist and European leader in fruit marketing draws on the experience of Euro Pool System and LPR to optimise the efficiency of its supply chain

Agri-Commerce was the first subsidiary of the AMC Group outside of Spain. The company, based in Perpignan, is a specialist in the marketing of citrus fruits, stone fruit, grapes and fruit juices. Over time, it has developed a close partnership with Euro Pool System, leader in reusable packaging logistics, and LPR (La Palette Rouge), expert in pool pallets. This collaboration with the two divisions of the Euro Pool group has contributed to its considerable development in Europe thanks, in large part, to a rigorous and impeccable logistics.

Euro Pool System boxes also allow the loading of transport trucks to be optimised, since 300 boxes can be stacked on the pallets instead of 60, as is the case with cardboard boxes. Another advantage is that collapsible boxes require less storage space in the warehouse.

For LPR, its collaboration with the AMC Group started much earlier, as explained by José Antonio del Olmo Fernández, LPR's Commercial Director in Spain. "We already managed citrus flows for the Spanish national market on behalf of AMC, but we had not had the opportunity to work with the group in the field of fruit export, because we did not see ourselves as an actor with a presence in that market. However, since its acquisition by the Euro Pool group in 2011, we have been able to benefit from Euro Pool System's experience in the horticultural sector to quickly assimilate the specific characteristics of that market and therefore anticipate the needs in terms of volume. This is how, with the collaboration of our partners in France, we were able to sign the agreement with Agri-Commerce for the management of all fresh fruit and vegetable flows from Spain."

LPR is active across Europe, offering simple, flexible and transparent services with an optimised management of flows throughout the continent. This is essential for Agri-Commerce, which is active in other European countries. To ensure that it can always meet any requests, even during high seasonal peaks in the demand, the LPR team maintains close relationships with the producers.

"In addition to the fact that the pallets are generally in a better condition, we appreciate the speed with which LPR has adapted to our complex channels and the way in which their teams have quickly visited all the Spanish producers with whom we work," says Thomas Vico.

This market is obviously an important sector for the development of LPR, if we take into account that Spain is the leading fruit and vegetable exporter in Europe. This contract with Agri-Commerce will help the specialist in pool pallets to boost its exponential growth in this market. Since 2011, deliveries of pallets in the fruit and vegetable sector have multiplied by 100 and currently represent 5% of the total volume of pallets delivered by LPR.

With the massive development of its activities, Agri-Commerce plans to modernise its Perpignan platform with the computerization of the warehouse and the setting up of a new packing plant. Perhaps it is the first step towards a future automation, which is in tune with the decision of Thomas Vico to work with companies such as Euro Pool System and LPR, which have plenty of experience in the implementation of automated systems, both in the client's facilities as in their own warehouses.

The values that the two divisions of the Euro Pool group share, based on service, quality and innovation, allow the optimization of the supply flows that Agri-Commerce needs to be able to have high quality and sustainable logistics.