Q / would like to know more about cage pallets. In
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what way do these differ from conventional wooden pallets and do you think the cage pallet idea has growth potential?
AThe term cage pallet • could be applied to any type of pallet surrounded by a wire — or other material — framework for the greater security of goods movement Cage pallets can run on wheels or castors and the side framework can be detachable or openable.
Asda, the superstore operators controlled by Associated Dairies, have pioneered the use in the UK of cage pallets made of wire. These are much smaller than the type of cage pallet used by some rival store operators in Europe The Asda type cage pallet may be adopted as a standard container in the food distribution industry for it can be picked up four-at-a-time by a fork-lift truck with forks set at 25in centres and moved by road from factory or warehouse direct to superstores designed for this technique.
In the stores, the cage pallets are built up into food display units Customers appear to like the method and stores operators are relieved of the expense of unwrapping and disposal of cartons.
Some food manufacturers are lukewarm to cage wrapping because the system -as used by Asda —requires goods to be price-marked in food factories, rather than in superstores.
Asda are using cage pallets for up to 150 swift-selling lines and plan to use the cages for beer tins, sherry -even bagged potatoes. It is our view that the system will grow rapidly because it enables total system economies to be achieved.