CHEP Signs a Sweet Watermelon Deal

BRANFORD, Fla.—CHEP, a provider of pallet and container pooling services, has signed a new long-term contract with Raymon J. Land Watermelon Sales.

The company grows, packs and ships cartoned, binned and bulk seeded and seedless watermelons from a network of shipping offices in the Southeast and Midwest U.S.

The grower has been shipping product on CHEP pallets since 1995. This new contract makes CHEP the exclusive supplier. Land Watermelon uses CHEP pallets to transport cartoned, binned and bulk seeded and seedless watermelons from its seasonal shipping offices in Immokalee, Arcadia and Branford, Fla.; Cordele, Ga.; Blackville, S.C.; Clinton and Mt. Olive, NC; and Oaktown, Ind. The company sells to supermarket retailers, wholesale distributors, terminal markets and wholesale clubs across the country.

In reflecting on the new contract, Laura Land, sales manager at Land Watermelon, observed, “The new contract with CHEP will increase our savings both in the short-run and long-term, which will increase savings for our customers during these challenging economic times. We consider CHEP to be a true partner and feel they provide clear benefits to our customers, our company and the environment.”

Analysis indicates that by using the CHEP pooling system as opposed to one-way whitewood pallets, Land Watermelon is reducing solid waste generation by nearly 625,000 pounds per year, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions by 58% and saving enough energy to power 52 homes with electricity every year.