Cole’s Quality Foods Advances Sustainability Agenda With CHEP Pallets

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Leading frozen baked goods marketer Cole’s Quality Foods today announced it is shipping all of its products on pallets from the CHEP pooling program effective immediately. The company is now using CHEP pallets to transport its Coles branded and private label frozen garlic bread, bread sticks and pizza sticks from production facilities in Muskegon, MI and North Liberty, IA to supermarkets, club stores and foodservice distributors nationwide.

“CHEP is providing us with significant supply chain efficiencies and helping us improve customer service. Additionally, we view this strategy as having a positive impact on the environment. Cole’s wants to be part of the sustainability solution, and CHEP is a critical element of that effort”

Cole’s had previously deployed one-way pallets and used a pallet exchange process to ship product to customers, but examination of the operation revealed high transportation costs, inconsistent platforms and wasted resources in the form of trashed wood. The company trialed the CHEP pallet program in their automated machinery in December and completed a full rollout this month.

“CHEP is providing us with significant supply chain efficiencies and helping us improve customer service. Additionally, we view this strategy as having a positive impact on the environment. Cole’s wants to be part of the sustainability solution, and CHEP is a critical element of that effort,” said John Sommavilla, President of Cole’s Quality Foods.

As more companies in the grocery industry move towards “greener” supply chains, improvement efforts tend to stress responsible supplier selection, process improvement and increased reuse, recycling and reduction of waste throughout the product lifecycle. The CHEP program has been validated by a third party as assisting companies with each of these areas.

“Cole’s Quality Foods is leading the charge to support environmental sustainability in the frozen baked goods industry. CHEP is committed to supporting this effort, while helping Coles increase supply chain efficiencies,” said Tim Smith, Vice President, Business Development, CHEP USA.

About Cole's

Founded in 1943, Cole’s Quality Foods is a privately held, Michigan-based category leader in frozen bakery products. In 1972, Cole’s invented the first frozen garlic bread and created a category that generates more than $300 million in sales annually. Today, the Company produces a complete line of frozen garlic breads, garlic toasts, garlic bread sticks, Cheesesticks and Pizzasticks. Cole’s is an opportunity driven and adaptable organization that provides “WOW” products. The company employs more than 200 people in Muskegon and Grand Rapids, Michigan and in North Liberty, Iowa.

To learn more about Cole’s, go to the company’s website at www.coles.com.

About CHEP

CHEP is the global leader in pallet and container pooling services serving many of the world's largest companies. The company has more than 7,700 employees and operates in 44 countries. Combining superior technology and an asset base of more than 285 million pallets and containers, CHEP offers its customers exceptional value, a platform that enables reduction in customer product damage, and an environmentally sustainable logistical solution. Supply chains served include consumer goods, produce, beverage, and the automotive industry. With global partners that include Procter & Gamble, SYSCO, Kellogg's, Kraft, Nestle, Ford and GM, CHEP is known for Handling the World's Most Important Products. Everyday. For more information about CHEP, please visit: www.chep.com.