Arca says that the concept has been designed with the strength required to meet the demands of any supply chain and to achieve ease of access for the end users. The new container is an alternative returnable solution to both the existing 600x400 mm containers and the larger one-way cardboard/wooden pallet containers.
The Arca Magnum 760 container has a footprint of 800x600 mm, with external height 760 mm and a usable volume of 250 litres. Each container can carry a load of up to150 kg and up to 500 kg in a stack. Made of 100 per cent Polypropylene, using Arca Systems' unique manufacturing processes, the Arca Magnum 760 is an exceptionally hygienic and strong container.
Fold out doors on all four sides ensure easy access whilst the new developed locking mechanism allows easy opening and closing of the sidewalls.
The container is available in two versions - one with closed sidewalls and base, and one with perforations on all sides and base for optimal ventilation. The unique folding principle of the sidewalls provides a very low folded (empty) height with a volume reduction of 62 per cent and therefore contributes to minimised return freight costs.
Importantly there are also a number of identification options built into the container including protected areas for RFID transponders and barcodes as well as label holders on all four sides.
Designed with a unique full four-way entry base, Arca claims that the Magnum 760 is easy to manoeuvre in narrow places using a wide range of handling equipment. Nearly 200 filled containers (stacked 2 on 1) can be shipped in one standard truck load (33 pallet spaces) and the same type of vehicle can transport 528 empty and folded containers (stacked 7 on 1).
The Arca Magnum 760 is designed for a large number of return trips. Simple repair, manual and automatic washing minimises the cost of owning and operating this container.
Arca Systems first major customer of the new container is Europe's leading pool organisation for returnable packaging - Euro Pool System. The two companies have jointly developed a special version of the container (Big Box 880) to be exclusively used by Euro Pool System.
"Euro Pool System is now introducing the container on a large scale basis and the initial order has been very valuable for Arca Systems. It has also given us the confirmation that this type of product will fit well into an interesting part of the returnable transit packaging market," said Tommy Pehrson, Arca Systems product manager.
Efficient shipping is of great importance to the food industry at present. The squeezed supply of refrigerated shipping containers in the US has caused shipping rates to rise 10 per cent to 25 per cent since last spring, helping to push up prices for frozen and chilled food.
Rates are expected to continue to climb as shipping lines in the US implement federal security regulations aimed at thwarting terrorism. Other costs including insurance, fuel, terminal charges and even container prices are also on the increase.
A report on the container ship market by analyst Howe Robinson suggests that all this is creating a 'tonnage squeeze,' with ships available for charter certain to be in short supply in 2004. Some container lines will be forced to cut non-core services if they become unprofitable.