United
Crate Co-operative Limited was originally formed in 1963 by a number of conscientious
growers who saw the need to provide a packaging service conducive to their marketing
requirements.
The
idea was to provide uniform packaging so that produce could be sold by a common
unit rather than weighing everything which would involve extensive handling.
The original crate varieties were made of wood which were cheap and easily sourced. 1975 saw the introduction of the plastic crate developed to supersede its less reliable predecessor.
The merits of the plastic recyclable crate were heralded as a revolutionary breakthrough on several fronts. It was more durable, more easily transported, provided better protection of produce, lighter in weight for ease of handling, more hygienic and less taxing on natural resources. However, these advantages would soon diminish if the product was not cost effective to the user. On this topic, United Crate can proudly boast that hire charges are most competitive when comparing alternative modes of packaging such as fibre board or polystyrene. In many cases, the grower stands to save more than 50% on packaging expenditure to market produce.
The Co-operative became one of the first in the State to commercially hire plastic produce bins to complement the existing crate range. Growers who have trialed this new addition have praised its performance both in the field and its presentation when marketed.
Being the only system of its kind in Australia, the plastic returnable crate system remains the envy of growers from the Eastern Sea-board, some of which expend millions of dollars on single use disposable packaging.
Environmentally, the plastic returnable crate system is sound. All crates that have become broken or damaged through prolonged use can be returned to the manufacturer to be reground to produce new crates. When one considers the amount of disposable packaging that contributes to landfill there can be no comparison.
United Crate are at the forefront in providing growers with the best possible service at the lowest price, maintaining its role as a consumer watchdog to ensure that packaging costs remain competitive.
In the last
few years the company has
developed
a strong relationship with
Viscount Plactics, Omni Manufacturing and Moreno Global Plastics
to expand upon the core business and introduce plastic bulk bins to the market
place. The product range including models Nally Mega bin, Omni & Fertilizer bins, "BA"and "BB"
were well received, so much so that Industry standards were being
forged from their use. No longer were wooden bins considered as an acceptable
food container and Growers, Processors and Retailers alike were demanding plastic
to base their Quality Assurance programs on.
Nally Mega Bin and BA's are now firmly entrenched in the Fruit and Vegetable Industry with a seasonal circulation of 40,000 bins.
Nally Mega Bin and BA's are now being touted as a major player in the fishing and wine industries while melon growers and tomato merchants prefer the Nally Mega bin, "BA" and "BB" affectionately known as the "Baby Bin".
With constant new products being introduced by Viscount Plastics our marketing alliance has proven beneficial to both parties. New marketing opportunities constantly present themselves showcasing Viscount Plastics ability to manufacture a quality product at a competitive price.
United Crate Company Structure
United Crate Board of Directors
 |
Miro
Lendich
| Geoffrey Fawcett
|
|
 |
John
Sceresini
| Robert Sorgiovanni
| |
|
|