The sites, at Dubi and Nove Sedlo, will have a throughput of 470,000 pallets every year and will offer the full range of Demes services, including inspection, repair and washing processes which maintain pool quality and set high standards for cleanliness and hygiene.

The manufacturer turned to Demes after being impressed with its logistics management service in Germany. It was decided the Czech plants would benefit from having Demes on-site as a professional service provider, managing all aspects of the pallet pool.

Demes will also handle the collection and delivery of the pallets. Advanced IT systems have been installed, which will allow 24/7 tracking of assets whether in Germany or Czechoslovakia. Demes uses this real time information to increase pool utilisation, by delivering collected pallets direct to customer sites when they are required. In this way, Demes can service customer demands by sourcing packaging from the different production sites.

The asset tracking system also enables more efficient use of transport and improved synergies between suppliers, reducing overall costs.

Walter Ahn, Logistics Manager of Demes, commented: "These sites will help us to provide a full logistics management service to this major client, and is a good example of serving European customers on a European scale. We are also making these sites accessible to other companies who would benefit from contracting out the management of their pallet pools."

Companies interested in finding out more about European pallet pool management systems, or making use of the Dubi or Nove Sedlo sites, should contact Walter Ahn on +49 (0)160 368 7988.