TORONTO – The Canadian Pallet Council (CPC) held its annual meeting recently with the theme, ‘Connect for the Future.’ This year’s event featured key industry leaders and ground-breaking initiatives that furthered the CPC’s mandate to address member needs, provide an overview of CPC’s strategic initiatives and industry updates. The conference was also the forum to select a new board of directors for 2005-2006.
It was the 28
The CPC provides the consumer goods industry supply chain with a cost effective returnable pallet standard and interchange system in Canada by setting, monitoring and enforcing policies, procedures and standards that meet the members’ performance requirements.
CPC pallet services include pallet rental (short and long term), one-way and retrieval programs. Members repair
damaged pallets at approved CPC
member locations. Over 60 pallet companies compete to provide these services
to CPC user members.
CPC membership includes suppliers and manufacturers, distributors and retailers, public warehouses, transport carriers, third-party logistic companies, as well as pallet manufacturing, rental, repair and retrieval companies.
The keynote speaker for this year’s annual meeting and conference was Nick Jennery, president of the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors (CCGD). He provided an overview of the CCGD and led a panel discussion of future trends and how they will impact members of the CPC.
Building on the success the CPC has achieved in recent years, the organization’s strategic plan will focus on the following three priorities during 2005-07:
• Strengthen CPC market share through major marketing-sales outreach programs.
• Increase CPC member support and association effectiveness through improvements in internal operations and customer service.
• Increase the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of CPC’s interchange system through improvements in CPC operations.
Implementation of the new strategic plan commenced at the beginning of the year.
The annual meeting and conference also highlighted CTSWEB, CPC’s new state-of-the-art, Web-based container tracking software. The new technology has transformed the way members track CPC pallets and other returnable assets.
Alex Bird, CTSWEB project leader, talked about the benefits and importance of implementing the software along with a panel of senior industry executives whose companies are using CTSWEB. Simon Ashbourne, a founder and partner of Marketplace Capabilities Group, discussed a study of the advantages of using the tracking program.
The CPC honored two members with annual awards given to recognize outstanding service.
The Bernard Brunet Award for Excellence in Pallet Management was presented to Alex Bird of Fideliter Consulting Ltd. Alex took a lead role throughout the development and launch of CTSWEB. His knowledge and guidance helped with the successful implementation and advancement of this groundbreaking project that further advances the CPC as a strong and viable association. The award is presented annually to a senior-level person who has made a major contribution to the handling of pallets in his business.
The Les Smith Award for Excellence in Pallet Administration was presented to Carmen Fontaine, pallet control for Sobeys-Quebec. Carmen established her credibility in the industry through efficient dealings with Sobeys suppliers, warehouses, stores and carriers. Through her leadership, she has contributed to the success of Sobeys distribution centers in Quebec City and Rivière du Loup. The award honors the person who does their utmost to ensure the accurate and efficient processing of ledger forms and bills of lading.
"The ongoing success of the CPC is based on the dedication of people like Carmen and Alex," said Belinda Junkin, president and CEO of the Canadian Pallet Council. "Both exemplify CPC dedication and team leadership, and we are proud to be able to acknowledge their hard work and commitment to our team."
th annual meeting and conference of the CPC, a non-profit organization with almost 1,400 members, that owns and exchanges almost 8 million distinctive orange pallets in circulation.
