Boots has moved over to the ArcaCOMBO™ reusable plastic IBC from
Schoeller Arca Systems. The concept of the product, based on large
foldable containers with flexible liner bags, makes the container a
popular alternative to other bag-in-box or IBC products.
The
Schoeller ArcaCOMBO™ has a disposable liner bag, which is placed inside
the box and filled with liquid, making the product extremely hygienic.
Boots chose the container to significantly reduce labour and service
costs, compared with traditional IBC boxes or steel framed bag-in
box-alternatives. Another attractive feature was the robust and shock
resistant design of the containers. To greatly reduce operating costs,
Boots decided to buy their own fleet of boxes. Any peaks in demand are
met by renting the products, at very competitive rates, from one of
Schoeller Arca System's pooling partners, Arlington Packaging.
The
lightweight boxes, weighing less than 90kg, are used to transport bulk
quantities of Boots products such as oils and creams, around the
production factory in Nottingham. The collapsible boxes fold to around
a third of their normal size when empty.
Brian Jordan,
Manufacturing Operations Manager at Boots commented: "The Schoeller
ArcaCOMBO™ has provided us with considerable cost savings compared to
conventional systems. Flexibility has improved as we can now move stock
around the factory and supply to our foreign factories and outworkers.
Other benefits include reduced water consumption through the removal of
cleaning, and we can now store bulks that would set at ambient
temperatures for a number of days due to the insulation properties of
the box design."
Schoeller Arca Systems conducted numerous
trials to prove the success of the container, and helped produce a
training video to demonstrate to Boots' operators how best to use the
container. Brian continued, "The service we were given was excellent -
prompt attention to queries, ongoing technical support and the
willingness to investigate improvement on design. We intend to expand
our use of the Schoeller ArcaCOMBO™ to match future demands."
