United Crate Co-operative LTD

Quality Standards
Each crate must pass the following requirements

Must not be damaged so as to compromise the strength of the container
Must have handles (if fitted) to ensure functionality
Must be washed thoroughly and free of any refuse that may compromise the sterility of the container

Empty bin weights
Solid CTT Bins	With rails 39.5kg With feet 38kg
Vented CTT Bins	With rails 38.5kg With feet 35.5kg
Solid BA Bins	With rails 35kg With feet 33kg
Vented BA Bins	With rails 32kg With feet 30kg
Solid BB Bins	With rails 28kg With feet 26kg
Vented BB Bins	With rails 27kg With feet 25kg
Omni Bin	With rails 95kg

WOODEN BINS –v's- PLASTIC BINS
The major problem associated with wooden field bins are detailed below. The "problems" can be verified by a number of sources and are not listed in any particular sequence or degree of importance.

The degree of importance will vary with each application or, conversely, with the perceived importance placed on each issue by the user.

Problems with wooden field bins.
Hardwood Bins

A large percentage of the bins are manufactured from hardwoods and this further reduces the natural resource which is critical in the maintenance of an environmental balance.
The weight of hardwood timbers results in a loss of product capacity on each vehicle and the transportation costs therefore increase proportionately.
Hardwood takes on high levels of moisture and the weight per unit can vary by up to 12 kilograms. This impacts on the overall weight utilised for tare weight purposes and the overall vehicle weight per load.
Splinters from hardwood bins can enter the production line and are also the cause of worker and or consumer injuries. Hardwood splinters tend to retain their rigidity even when subjected to cooking processes.
Hardwood species have an open, or porous, surface and therefore harbour various forms of bacteria and contamination. This results in cross contamination of the product.
Certain forms of bacteria found in hardwood bins, cannot be destroyed effectively and deterioration of the product occurs. One example is the bacteria found in wooden bins that is now attacking pears
Once a hardwood surface is contaminated it is virtually impossible to eliminate the contamination without replacing the surfaces affected.
The hardwood bins take up to three times longer to achieve an effective temperature pull-down for the product and thus resulting in deterioration.
Hardwood surfaces absorb moisture from the product and this further reduces the quality and effectively reduces the shelf life.
Nails used in the manufacture of hardwood bins come loose and cause worker injuries, which are often substantial and also cause product contamination when they enter the production line.
The bins surfaces shatter in general use and therefore ongoing repairs are required. This adds to the operating and product costs.
The weight of the bins are in excess of what two adult males can lift and all movements must therefore be by mobile materials handling equipment.
The appearance of the bins generally detracts from the product appearance effectively reduce the appeal to the buyer.
Transit rot is a problem apparent with most forms of wooden bins but this is more pronounced with hardwood bins and again reduces the effective yield to the producer.
Mould forms on the timber and cross contaminates the product.
Tannin, from new hardwood timber surfaces, creates a sticky surface on the product and can also stain the product.
When stacked there is no provision for positive interlock to ensure there are no accidents. This is potentially a major problem when bins are wet or when they are utilised in a cold storage environment.

Metal reinforced hardwood bins
The problems associated with metal reinforced hardwood bins include the problems listed under Hardwood Bins but also include;

Metal reinforcing rusting with the rust contaminating product.
Metal slivers entering the production line.
Metal shavings and slivers causing worker injuries.

Wooden Bins –v's- Plastic Bins page 3
The possibility of metal becoming embedded in the product and causing consumer injuries.
The metal reinforcing adding to the tare weight of the bins and therefore reducing the effective payload per load.
The metal reinforcing causing damage to taut liners and refrigerated vehicles.

Softwood Bins:
Bins manufactured form softwood species have similar problems to those identified for hardwood bins but often the problem is not as pronounced.

The major problems associated with softwood bins are;

Softwood timber exudes a sticky substance called white mould which will contaminate product
Where softwood bins become wet they will quickly develop a blue mould that is and ongoing source of contamination.
The surface of the softwood species also harbours bacteria and various other forms of mould. This cross contaminates product.
Softwood bins are lighter that the hardwood bins but the cost per cubic metre of timber is generally higher than the equivalent area of hardwood species.
Radiata pine is better suited to the manufacture of wooden field bins but the availability of this product is limited in certain areas. As an example stash pine is the predominant species in certain areas and this is unsuited to use in the manufacture of wooden field bins.
The surface of the softwood bins is also porous and is therefore difficult to clean when contaminated. The only effective means of cleaning is to replace the contaminated surface.
The annual cost of repairing softwood bins is higher than that associated with hardwood bins as the units are less durable.
Although the weight per bin is less than the hardwood bin it is still above the weight of other more suitable units.
The instability in stacking remains a problem.
The nature of the timber results in expansion and contraction which loosens nails and therefore increases the incidence of worker injury and product contamination.
Although the likelihood of serious injury from splinters is reduced the incidence of timber particles entering the production chain increases as the softwoods are more inclined to shed shredded sections of timber far more frequently than hardwoods.
The softwood splinters will generally break down when exposed to a cooking process and this reduces, but does not eliminate, the possibility of consumer injuries.
The weight variance, when the bins become wet, is still a problem but it is not as pronounced as the weight variance with hardwood bins.
The product cooling cycle is again substantially more than that experienced with plastic bins and this adversely affects the product quality and shelf life.
Softwoods also draw moisture form the product and again the product quality, and shelf life are compromised.
Recent design techniques require the use of alloy reinforcing on certain sections of the bins and this further increases the possibility of worker injuries, product contamination and subsequent consumer injury.

The cost of wooden bins –v's- plastic bins.
There is a capital cost differential between the wooden bins and the plastic bins, however, the cost differential is not as great as most people assume when all factors are taken into account.
For example, it is fair to say the plastic bin is more durable than the wooden, effectively extending the bin life. It is also important to remember that if a plastic bin should get damaged it can simply be re-welded, virtually eliminating the costly ongoing maintenance problems that are encountered with wooden bins. (eg broken boards etc)

The benefits of plastic bins.
There are numerous benefits associated with the use of plastic bins and these include, but are not limited to;

Impervious surfaces that will not take on contaminants.
Smooth internal surfaces that reduce the incidence of product damage, scuffing and bruising.
Surfaces that facilitate easy cleaning even where product residue is attached to the surface of the bin.
Lightweight construction that improves transport efficiency and enables, in some circumstances, for manual handling. Using the correct type of plastic bin could facilitate the transportation of an additional 1,750 kilograms on each full (articulated) load.
Plastic bins are not susceptible to white ant damage and infestation.
Plastic bins do not require undercover storage as exposure to the elements will not adversely effect the bins. This reduces the capital cost associated with the undercover storage of wooden bins.
Improved drainage where product is dipped / sprayed prior to despatch to the wholesaler/retailer.
A relatively constant unit tare weight to ensure product weights are accurate. This ensures fair and equitable dealing between all parties.
Operating temperature ranges of -29°C to +40°C.
The ability to recycle (regrind) the raw materials and re-use this in the manufacture of further product providing a more environmentally sound option.
Positive interlock for safe stacking which, under approved operating conditions, should eliminate stack failures and damage or injury.
Vastly improved air-flow which reduces the temperature of the product (up to) three times quicker than wooden bins.
Surfaces that will not draw moisture from the product therefore retaining freshness and extending the shelf life.
The elimination of bacteria and mould that develop in wooden bins. This again reduces the incidence of cross contamination and shrinkage.
There are no components used in the manufacture of the plastic bins which are likely to cause any form of serious worker injury and this aspect is a distinct advantage for all parties.

If industry is to observe and in fact adopt, the world best practice then the progressive elimination of wooden field bins must be a priority.

There are numerous reasons why the wooden field bins should be eliminated from various industry sectors.

The retention of freshness and quality must be a major consideration for all parties as the alternative is for all parties to incur disproportionate cost penalties and to compromise the quality of their product.

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