Corrugated Common Footprint

To streamline the process of getting produce from the fields to grocery stores, the corrugated box industry has developed the Corrugated Common Footprint Standard -- a new, standardized design for corrugated containers. The "Common Footprint" eliminates the problem of unstable mixed loads that can topple during transport and helps increase the volume of produce that can be shipped on a pallet from a distribution center. Its modular characteristics go a long way toward reducing costs in the supply chain - a major goal of retailers looking to improve their profits.

The standard was developed by the Fibre Box Association (FBA), with assistance from the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), and in cooperation with box manufacturers, growers, packers/shippers, distribution centers, retailers, freight carriers and government agencies.

Corrugated Common Footprint containers are:

1. Stackable - These new boxes share an interlocking tab/receptacle design that provides exceptional load stability. They won't topple or cave in during transport or handling.

2. Low Shipping Costs - Corrugated's light weight, high stacking strength and cube efficiency provide low shipping costs. And there are no back-shipping expenses. In fact, grocery stores will typically earn money when the used boxes are recovered for recycling.

3. Protective - With its fluted construction and built-in air cushioning, corrugated provides superior product protection and minimizes damage from abrasion and bruising. It can be custom designed to offer additional reinforcement, cooling vents, insulation and moisture barriers to keep contents protected.

4. Consistent - Common Footprint containers can be made by any corrugated manufacturer, so grower/shippers can continue using the packaging suppliers they already know and trust. Mixed pallet loads will be stable and consistent, even when they're built with boxes made by different suppliers.

5. Custom Design - The Common Footprint provides the consistency retailers need without compromising the container's ability to meet specific packaging requirement.

6. Display and Marketing Benefits - Common Footprint containers can be display-ready and designed to go from the field, to the warehouse, to the retail shelf without repacking. And as always, the corrugated package is a ready-made billboard for brand identification. Containers can be decorated with high-impact graphic labels, or direct-printed for maximum shelf appeal.

7. Recyclable/Renewable - Corrugated has one of the best recovery and recycling records of any packaging material on earth, with over 78% of all manufactured corrugated recovered for reuse. Grocery retailers recycle an even higher percentage of the corrugated that comes through their stores, and they can generate additional revenue from the sale of OCC (old corrugated containers).

CORRUGATED COMMON FOOTPRINT
Corrugated Advantage Over RPCs
NO DEPOSIT, NO RISK, NO TRACKING, NO ACCOUNTING, NO RESPONSIBILITY
LESS LABOR REQUIRED, NO TRAINING REQUIRED
• In distribution (quick/easy to build mixed loads)
• In displaying product (produce never touched)
GROWER/PACKER/SHIPPER FRIENDLY
• Mechanical set-up readily available
• Lower impact change-over to corrugated common footprint boxes than to RPCs
LESS DAMAGE, BETTER PROTECTION
• Custom, best height = better fruit quality
• Custom strength containers
• Cold-chain insulation
• Custom ventilation/cooling
• Solid stable unit loads (mixed or unmixed)
EFFICIENT STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION
• Better cube (more product per pallet and per truck)
• Lighter weight (lower freight costs)
RECYCLING
• Environmentally responsible
• Significant income stream for retailers
SANITATION AND SAFETY
• No cleaning required (one-way container)
• Better ergonomics (lighter weight)
• Product touched fewer times
LOWEST SYSTEM COST
• Storage, transportation, logistics, capital, use, damage
SUPERIOR SALES PROMOTION
• Flexibility in structural design
• Graphics, branding options
• Fresh/new look with each container (not "tired" look of used RPCs)
BETTER QUALITY PRODUCT ON DISPLAY
• Quality delivered to retail location
• Produce untouched between picker and consumer
• Fresher produce in front of consumer
SOURCING AND AVAILABILITY
• Global sourcing, same container system available regardless of season, grower location
• Availability guaranteed: hundreds of suppliers vs. handful of RPC suppliers; no worries about seasonal shortages
• Single system vs. multitude of non-compatible RPCs (Chep, IFCO, et. al.)