NATIONAL PALLET POOL
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Ministry orders "16
big probe
THE practicability of a pallet pool for UK and international freight traffic, and its potential value, are to be investigated by the Ministry of Transport. First step will be a preliminary survey by Arthur D. Little Ltd., international management consultants.
The Ministry believes that pooling, with standard pallets exchanged between members of the pool or hired from a pool operator -could both spread the use of 'pallets and reduce the number needed, with consequent economies.
Such pools operate in Europe and elsewhere, and within some UK industrial groups; but so far pooling has not been tried on anything approaching a national scale in this country, and detailed information as to its practicability is lacking. • In view of the likely benefits, the Government, in consultation with the Little Nedclies for Distribution and for the Movenienf of Exports, has decided that a thordugh study of the problem is needed.
The feasibility study envisaged. would examine The traffic which might benefit from pooling; the econoiniCs of establishing and operating a pool', and the technical problems involved, taking into account development of other handling techniques, notably the rapid growth in the use of containers.
First, however, Arthur D. Little who have considerable experience of both materials handling and transport, have been commissioned to undertake a preliminary survey which will help to determine the precise ground to be covered by the feasibility studY.
If the whole study is authorized, it should be completed by next summer, at a total cost of between £14,000 and £15,000.