UTILYSYS FOUNDATION WITHDRAWS

23.11.2022 -But it will remain business as usual

  Nothing will change for the marketing chain when Foundation Utilysys ceases to exist at the end of this year. The folding crates specially developed for flower bulbs will be available through the familiar channels. Via Twinpack in Noordwijkerhout, almost half a million Utilysys crates have already been taken into use at companies. There, they have made many return trips to customers, full there and empty back. This folding crate has proven itself as sustainable transport packaging and will be here to stay. For Utilysys Foundation, the initiator of this crate, the work is done.

  Goal achieved KAVB and Royal Anthos put the Utilysys Foundation on the market in 2011 with the aim of introducing a better, more efficient and more sustainable alternative to the rigid export crate. With almost half a million folding crates in circulation, it can be established that this goal has been achieved. Utilysys has now proven itself in various business situations for over 10 years. All kinds of products have been shipped in it to overseas destinations in North America, Australia, New Zealand, Africa and Japan, while customers in several European countries also know how to handle the folding crate. Utilysys has an established brand recognition and, as the most widely used folding crate for flower bulbs, can safely be called a market leader.

  Profit through efficiency and sustainability The efficiency advantage is mainly in saving space. When folded, you stack 5 folding crates in the volume of 1 rigid crate, so 80% less volume. Furthermore, during filling (also on the automated packing line) the folding crate can be handled the same as the others. This volume advantage makes it economically attractive to retrieve crates empty and reuse them. This feature means that companies can achieve significant cost benefits as well as sustainability gains with this crate. Indeed, the annual purchase and production of new plastic crates can be saved by using the same crate for at least 10 years. A textbook example of circularity. It is estimated that Utilysys has made the production of over 2 million crates redundant, thus saving a huge amount of energy, CO2 emissions and water. Add to this the fact that Utilysys is made of recycled material, which also makes very economical use of fossil resources.

  Commitment to a better image The companies involved, who have made the switch to clap crates, are the real pioneers. Their efforts have helped to improve the sector's image. This does not happen by itself. The application of reusable flower bulb packaging requires the cooperation of supplier and customer: "It takes two to tango". It requires an economic consideration (investment in long-life packaging) and an organisational one. To support companies with this, an economic calculation model is available. And to help shape the administrative organisation of the return of packaging, a return packaging regulation has been published. The logistics of reusing bulb packaging also has all kinds of situation-dependent challenges, including phyto, VAT, stacking, collection, storage and rinsing. Those who manage all this well can rightly take pride in the fact that their company is successfully making strides in chain cooperation (17), responsible consumption and production (12) and action for the climate(13): three of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.