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22nd December 2011
Unit Pallets Limited actively support the Pan European campaign to promote timber pallets and packaging. |
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Statement from the FEFPEB website |
Unit Pallets Limited a leading UK pallet manufacturer and part of the James Jones and Sons Sawmilling Group is backing a Pan European campaign to promote timber as the raw material of choice for pallets and packaging.
The ‘Packaging from Nature’ campaign launched by the European Federation of Wooden Pallets and Packaging manufacturers (FEFPEB) is communicating the economic benefits of timber use in packaging and pallets, particularly compared with alternative material such as plastic and corrugated paper.
Please find attached a statement form the FEFPEB website.
Gil Covey,MD of Unit Pallets and current FEFPEB President, said with the current economic challenges, strong competition from alternative materials and threats to ongoing timber supplies caused by increasing demand in the highly subsidised energy sector this is the ideal time for our industry to launch this communication campaign.
Timber is a tremendous natural material which is by far the best option in both economic and environmental terms for use in pallets and packaging. We have a story to tell and I am proud that our industry has taken the important initiative.
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29th September 2011
An insight into the UK's Forestry and Timber |
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National Treasure |
James Jones and Sons and the timber industries in general commitment to wood and the protection of the environment.
(click here to view video)
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2nd August 2011
ISPM15 GLOBAL GUIDE UPDATE |
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China |
Exports to China
Issues over the 'Re-Use' of Wood Packaging Material
At the end of June we advised UKWPMMP members of an issue in China whereby AQSIQ inspectors were intercepting consignments from Europe because articles of wood packaging material were being found to have country ISO codes within ISPM15 marks that did not relate to the country of re-export. The example given involved a German 'DE' marked pallet which had been air-freighted to China from Austria (AT) and therefore it was deemed to be non-complaint.
Having raised the issue as a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) matter with the Chinese Authorities as one in which their approach did not reflect the guidance provided in ISPM15 regarding the re-use of wood packaging material, the European Commission has advised us that the matter has now been resolved and AQSIQ representatives have provided the following statement -
'Wood packaging material
AQSIQ agrees with the EU interpretation of ISPM 15, they will issue a notice to CIQs to clarify that wood packaging material ISPM compliant can be accepted even if its origin is not from the country of expedition. EU should signal problems if they remain.'
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23rd June 2011
ISPM15 GLOBAL GUIDE UPDATE |
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Australia |
Australia UK exporters are advised that the Australian Quarantine requirements prohibit the entry of wood products infected with non indigenous bluestain. It should be noted that treatment in accordance with ISPM 15 specifications is not lethal to bluestain fungi, and in fact heat treatment in the absence of moisture reduction is likely to increase susceptibility to infection.
Our advice, therefore, is to use only wood packaging material which, in addition to having been either heat treated or fumigated to ISPM 15 specifications, has additionally been kiln-dried to below 20% moisture content. This may be indicated by the mark 'KD' or 'kiln-dried' on the wood packaging unit (including dunnage), but it must not be included within the border of the ISPM 15 mark. As any timber, including kiln dried material, has a tendency absorb condensation during long voyages in a freight container, kiln drying does not guarantee that bluestain infection will not develop.
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China |
China - officially implemented ISPM15 on 1st of January 2006
Exports to China - Issues over the 'Re-Use' of Wood Packaging Material
We have recently been made aware via a major international freight forwarding company that AQSIQ inspectors in China are intercepting consignments from Europe because articles of wood packaging material are being found to have country ISO codes within the ISPM. 15 mark that do not relate to the country of re-export. The example given involved a German 'DE' marked pallet which had been air-freighted to China from Austria (AT) and therefore it was deemed to be non-complaint. |
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July 2010
TIMCON highlights ongoing pallet and packaging price rises as cost of
raw materials increases at unprecedented rate |
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TIMCON says its pallet and packaging manufacturer members are facing
continuing and significant cost rises in raw materials and are being forced to
increase product prices.
According to the quarterly Pöyry Index, in Quarter 2 this year the price of pallet
timber from the UK/Ireland and the Baltics increased by the highest percentage
since the index began in 2001.
The June 2010 Purchasing Managers’ Index published by CIPS also highlighted
sustained price rises in significant areas, including pallet timber, which rose in price
for the seventh consecutive month; and the price of nails has also risen for three
months in a row. Pallet prices increased for the fourth consecutive month.
TIMCON Executive Secretary Stuart Hex commented: “These latest independently
verified results confirm that the price of timber pallets and packaging are being
forced upwards by sustained increases in the cost of raw materials, including
timber and steel. These rises, combined with strong demand from UK sawmillls,
pulp and biomass, makes this an extremely challenging time for our industry.”
“TIMCON has been keeping the market up-to-date with the situation, while
FEFPEB has been doing the same on a pan-European basis. We are working
closely with our members to ensure that we are able to maintain continuity of
supply to our customers. Timber remains the most economical and
environmentally friendly material for pallets and packaging, and continues to
service more than 90 per cent of the market.” |
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30th June 2010
ISPM15 GLOBAL GUIDE UPDATE |
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Australia |
Australia adopts ISPM15 bark tolerance for imports of wood packaging material wef 1 July 2010.
Following the adoption of the revised version of the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures Publication No. 15: Regulation of Wood Packaging Material in International Trade (ISPM 15) in April 2009, Biosecurity Services Group (BSG) undertook to review Australias requirement for bark freedom on solid wood packaging material. >From 1 July 2010 Australia will accept solid wood packaging material that is treated and marked as ISPM 15 compliant and meets the bark tolerance requirements defined in the revised ISPM 15 standard. This requires that solid wood packaging material be debarked, but allows a tolerance for small pieces of bark that have not been completely removed during milling.
This tolerance for bark will also apply to solid wood packaging treated with other AQIS approved treatments. The bark free declaration is still required but the ISPM 15 tolerance limits apply. Any wood packaging and dunnage exceeding the ISPM 15 bark tolerance limit will be subject to treatment, export or destruction at the importers expense. |
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15th March 2010
FEFPEB concerned over upward pressure on timber prices |
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The European wooden pallet and packaging industry faces increasing timber prices at an accelerated
rate. Several authorised indexes and other sources* report upon price increases up to 20% through to
the end of Q1 2010.
Timber supply to the EU pallet and packaging industry is under pressure:
● Production cutbacks by the sawmilling industry following lower demand
● Reduced production packaging timber due to the heavy winter conditions
● The EU economy slowly recovers with a higher demand for timber, a.o. in the building sector
Shortage in timber availability is possible, but the pallet and packaging industry will be able to ensure
the supply of its vital products to the customers.
The upward pressure on timber prices is of major concern, as timber is the most important cost
component for pallets and packaging (70/75%).
The pallet and packaging industry has to cope with a reduced demand as a consequence of the
current economic crisis.
The situation stabilized on a substantial lower volume level (minus 20/25% on average)
Improvement in the second half 2010 is expected, but it will be a slow recovery and the negative
impact of increasing timber prices is a serious risk factor.
* Timber price indexes TIMCON (UK), HPE (Germany)
Export price index Skogsindustrierna (Sweden)
EUWID Holz, nr. 6 (11-02-2010) |
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March 2010
TIMCON update: Supply pressure continues to impact on timber
pallet and packaging industry |
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The Timber Packaging & Pallet Confederation (TIMCON) says rising prices of
timber to the pallet and packaging industry need not affect availability if customers
plan well with their suppliers.
TIMCON alerted the market on 2 February 2010 that timber prices to the pallet and
packaging industry were increasing at an accelerating rate, since when the
situation has intensified both in the UK and in Europe. The Federation of
European Wooden Pallet and Packaging Manufacturers (FEFPEB) issued a
statement on 15 March 2010, highlighting the significant increases in timber prices
across Europe.
Timber prices continue to rise from UK sources, a fact of critical importance to the
pallet industry. Meanwhile, imported timber for the packaging sector has increased
substantially due to market factors and increasing shipping and unfavourable
exchange rates. Extremely high price increases on plywood from both China and
Russia, as well as increases on other sheet materials, including OSB (oriented
strand board) are being incurred.
Manufacturers of timber pallets and packaging are monitoring the situation and are
endeavouring to source materials on the best available terms, to allow them to
maintain continuity of supply to their customers. Timber supply is extremely tight
due to weather conditions in the UK and the Baltics, while supplies from Chile may
be disrupted due to the recent earthquakes. Other factors such as increasing
demand for logs from the renewable energy sector and reduced capacity from
sources such as the Baltics and Scandinavia are conspiring to make sourcing on
best economic terms extremely difficult.
Stuart Hex, TIMCON Secretariat said: “It is clear that sourcing adequate supplies
of timber and adjusting selling prices to reflect the latest commercial situation will
be challenging in the short term but TIMCON members are confident that
uninterrupted supply can be achieved provided that customers engage in dialogue
and planning with their suppliers at an early stage.” |
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3rd February 2010
TIMCON issues warning over upward pressure on timber prices |
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TIMCON is alerting interested parties that timber prices have increased during
2009 and are continuing to do so at an accelerated rate.
The independently verified Pöyry Index, which measures timber price movements
to the pallet and packaging industry, has shown significant timber price increases
through to the end of 2009.
The pallet industry has become heavily reliant on supplies from homegrown timber
sources due to exchange rate movements, severe production cutbacks in
Scandinavia and a substantial fall in imports from the Baltic States. The
homegrown timber industry has been well placed to meet the reduced demand
from the pallet sector during a time when the construction market has been
depressed. There are however major concerns about ongoing supplies to the
sector as there are signs of increased demand from the construction market as
house building starts to gradually recover.
The pallet timber supply situation is exacerbated by increased demand for small
roundwood from the rapidly growing and heavily subsidised renewable energy
sector. These factors have recently been compounded by bad weather conditions,
which have reduced production by more than 50 per cent since the start of the
year. Although production levels should improve over coming weeks, this has
caused an imbalance that will take some considerable time to rectify.
The situation in the timber packaging industry is even more severe. Imported
timber is essential in this sector and kiln dried imported timber has increased in
price by over 20% in the last 9 months according to the Pöyry Index. In addition,
there are very high price increases feeding through in recent months for Oriented
Strand Board (OSB), softwood and Russian Birch Plywood.
TIMCON Executive Secretary Stuart Hex said: “These material price rises are
putting significant strain on timber pallet and packaging manufacturers at a time
when they are coping with reduced demand. The cost of timber is by far the most
important component in the cost structure for timber pallets and packaging so
timber price escalation combined with weak product demand is extremely difficult
to manage. The current level of material price rises will inevitably increase the
price of pallets and packaging.”
“The growing threat to supplies to the industry is a major challenge and it is
important that purchasers of timber pallets and packaging schedule their
requirements in good time so as to ensure continuity of supply.”
Mr Hex concluded: “In spite of the challenges to the industry, timber pallets and
packaging continue to offer the most flexible, economic and environmentally
friendly solution to the movement of goods worldwide.” |
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30th November 2009
ISPM15 GLOBAL GUIDE UPDATE |
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Russia |
Russia - at a recent meeting (November 2009) the Russian authorities have advised us that the new rules that went into effect on July 15, 2009 have been withdrawn and that we are attempting to get the situation clarified. Our advice to exporters of all goods to Russia is that to avoid any complications they ensure that all wood packaging material used is treated and marked in accordance with ISPM No. 15. (Updated 30 November 2009). |
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20th October 2009
ISPM15 GLOBAL GUIDE UPDATE |
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Malaysia |
Malaysia will implement ISPM15 on 1 January 2010. To view details. (Updated 20 October 2009) |
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Sri Lanka |
Sri Lanka has announced that it will implement ISPM15 on 8 March 2010. To view WTO notification. To view the text of the draft regulations. (Updated 20 October 2009). |
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13th July 2009 |
Unit Pallets accreditation to the FSC Chain of Custody |
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Unit Pallets limited are pleased to announce that they have gained accreditation to the FSC Chain of Custody. This is an essential requirement for Unit Pallets, its customers and shows our commitment to environmental issues.
The FSC Chain of Custody Certification is a timber and timber products traceability system that ensures that certified products come from a well managed source. The Chain begins at the forest and follows through all links of the chain through to the end user.
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15th June 2009 |
UNIT PALLETS OPENS NEW GRANGEMOUTH SERVICE CENTRE |
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UPL has officially opened its brand new Grangemouth Service Centre where it will inspect and repair an estimated 4 million CHEP pallets per annum.
This new facility will operate on a 3 shift basis and employ over 70 workers. New “state of the art” machinery has been installed and UPL and CHEP’s considerable knowledge and experience in the area of efficient pallet inspection and repair operations has been used in designing the plant layout and machinery.
Gil Covey, MD of Unit Pallets stated “This is a logical development of our long and proven partnership with CHEP for pallet repairs. This considerable financial investment underlines the strength of the James Jones Group and its willingness to invest in suitable projects in its core business market.
The site at Grangemouth is ideally placed to handle the flows of CHEP pallets in Scotland and is situated close to the M9 motorway. This highly efficient and strategically situated Service Centre will provide a first class service to CHEP and its clients.
The management of UPL is looking forward to making a success of this exciting new venture”. |
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8th May 2009 |
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Emergency measures to prevent the spread of Pine Wood Nematode from Portugal
Controls apply to the export from Portugal of conifer wood products, including logs, sawn wood, chips, bark and wood packaging material such as boxes, crates pallets and the like which originated there. These are set out in Commission Decision 2006/133/EC and its various amendments (link ex.europa.eu PDF ). Wood Packaging Material (WPM) manufactured in Portugal from conifer wood has had to meet the requirements of ISPM 15, the international phytosanitary standard covering WPM which demands that it be treated (or fumigated with Methyl bromide) and stamped with the ISPM 15 mark which shows the country of production, a unique producer code and the code for the treatment used i.e. "HT" or "MB".
Despite these measures, many Member States have reported detecting PWN in WPM arriving from Portugal, sometimes on unmarked WPM so it has not been possible to tell where it was made, and in order to avoid the possibility that untreated Portuguese WPM 'slips thorough the net' the rules have been further amended. From 16 June 2009 all WPM made from conifer wood exported from Portugal will need to meet ISPM 15 requirements. This includes WPM made from conifer wood imported into Portugal from the other Member States and then re-used for subsequent exports.
Although there is no legal obligation to use ISPM15 compliant WPM for goods shipped into Portugal from any other Member State, we strongly advise exporters in the UK to consider using treated and ISPM 15 marked WPM, regardless of wood type, wherever possible so as to ensure that there are no delays in delivering goods. This will be particularly important where the consignor expects to have the WPM returned, either empty or used to carry other goods. Many importers in Portugal are expected to demand the use of ISPM 15 WPM by their suppliers, so as to avoid the need to otherwise dispose of and replace WPM for subsequent use. The Portuguese authorities have confirmed that they do not have sufficient heat treatment capacity to deal with untreated imported WPM, and destruction appears to be the only alternative. Our advice covers all WPM regardless of wood type because of the difficulty in determining wood species, especially where more than one species is used in the manufacture of WPM. In cases of doubt, we can expect at least a delay in shipping while checks are carried out. This may well lead to increased costs.
Under the new procedures, all Member States will now be required to carry out routine checks on wood and wood packaging material imported into their country from Portugal. These checks can be carried out at any place where the material may be present and not necessarily confined to the point of entry (port or airport). The Forestry Commission plans to continue with spot checks on some goods as they arrive, where practicable, and will also be visiting importers to check on WPM used to ship goods from Portugal. We already carry out spot checks on wood shipped from Portugal. We do not, however, plan to place unnecessary burdens on business and will not, for example, be imposing inspection fees as we do for imports from non-EU countries. In the event that non-compliant wood or WPM is found, the occupier of the premises or the person in charge of the material will, however, be responsible for any remedial action deemed necessary. Those placing orders with Portuguese suppliers are strongly advised to make it a contractual requirement that only ISPM 15 compliant WPM is used and binding suppliers to meet any costs arising out of a failure to do so. The European Commission has also indicated that it plans to propose extending the use of ISPM15 to regulate WPM used in all intra-Community trade. This is subject to negotiations with the wood packaging industry which currently does not have sufficient treatment capacity across the EU to meet such a demand.
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Wednesday 24th Setpember 2008
ISPM15 GLOBAL GUIDE UPDATE |
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Colombia
Colombia has implemented ISPM15 via Resolution No. 01074. (Updated 24 September 2008)
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Thursday 3rd July 2008
ISPM15 GLOBAL GUIDE UPDATE |
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Cuba
Cuba has announced its intention to implement ISPM15 on 1st October 2008. To view notification.
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Monday 23rd June 2008
NEW CAPE 2 ASSEMBLY LINE |
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Unit Pallets Limited now have 2 fully operational Cape Lines, which incorporates the latest pallet technology. The latest technology has proven and robust engineering, complete with robotic feed for composition blocks. The new line Cape 2 has a state of the art spray booth with part drying facility for the highest quality pallets.
This assembly line meets exact nailing pattern requirements of customers, which is of critical importance to life cycle costs as pallets are increasingly recovered and re-used. Other benefits include reduced changeover times and greater flexibility, and combined with Cape 1 gives Unit Pallets a significant capacity to manufacture high volumes of top quality pallets. This is combined with by far the highest drying capacity in the United Kingdom, which gives our company the capability to meet the demands of major clients for dried and ISPM15 compliant pallets on competitive lead times.
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Monday 23rd June 2008
3rd BES BOLLMAN KILN |
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Unit Pallets Limited was the first pallet manufacturer in Britain to offer Kiln Dried pallets, and have recently installed a third BES Bollman Kiln. With 4 kilns on-site, UPL now has the highest kiln drying and heat treatment capacity in the UK.
Unit Pallets Ltd is accredited to ISO9001 and UIC 435-2 EPAL Euro Pallet. Also a member of the UK Wood Packaging and Material Programme to supply ISPM15 compliant heat treated (HT) pallets.
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Tuesday 8th January 2008
ISPM15 GLOBAL GUIDE UPDATE |
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Norway
Norway has now announced its intention to implement ISPM15 on the 1st July 2008 (this was set to be on the 1st January 2008 before).
To view WTO notification.
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Friday 16th April 2007
USE OF FC TWO TREE LOGO NO LONGER MANDATORY |
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All participants of the UK Wood Packaging Material Marking Programme are hereby notified that, with immediate effect, the inclusion of the FC Two Tree logo and the words ‘Forestry Commission’ will no longer be mandatory within the UKWPMMP mark. However, if you wish to continue to use them then you may do so. |
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Friday 15th May 2009
ISPM15 GLOBAL GUIDE UPDATE |
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Guyana
The relevant authority has advised that it has implemented ISPM15. Unfortunately we are unable to publish any official document as the notification was made by email to the Forestry Commission. |
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Friday 15th May 2009
ISPM15 GLOBAL GUIDE UPDATE |
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Syria
The relevant authority has advised that it has implemented ISPM15. Unfortunately we are unable to publish any official document as the notification was made by email to the Forestry Commission. |
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Tuesday 7th November 2006
ISPM15 GLOBAL GUIDE UPDATE |
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Tuesday 29th August 2006
ISPM15 GLOBAL GUIDE UPDATE |
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Friday 21st July 2006
ISPM15 GLOBAL GUIDE UPDATE |
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Brazil has notified that it has withdrawn implementation
of requirements based on ISPM15 and has reverted,
with immediate effect, to its previous 2004
legislation. No reasons have been given and
it is not known whether this is a permanent
position. To view their announcement (in Portuguese only). |
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Friday 14th July 2006
ISPM15 GLOBAL GUIDE UPDATE |
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Ecuador
Ecuador has announced its implement of ISPM15
with effect from 1 July 2006. See
details of Resolution (in Spanish). |
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Wednesday 21st June 2006
ISPM15 GLOBAL GUIDE UPDATE |
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Ukraine
Ukraine has implemented ISPM15 as an import
requirement, with the addition of debarking
and confirm that all WPM produced under the
UKWPMMP meets their requirements; to see notification. |
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Wednesday 17th May 2006
ISPM15 GLOBAL GUIDE UPDATE |
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New Zealand implemented ISPM15 on 16 April 2006. It has
however recently consulted on changes to the
Import Health Standard Wood Packaging Materials
from All Countries. We have been advised that
the new standard will come into effect on
1 May 2006. |
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Brazil We have been advised that Brazil has now implemented,
with immediate effect, import requirements
for wood packaging material based on ISPM15 . Note Details of the Brazilian requirements
can be viewed (in Spanish) (Last updated 16th
May 2006). |
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Wednesday 3rd May 2006
ISPM15 GLOBAL GUIDE UPDATE |
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Friday, 29th August 2006
ISPM15 GLOBAL GUIDE UPDATE |
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Bulgaria will require
wood packaging material and dunnage to comply
with ISPM15 as from 1 June 2006 but as of
1 January 2007 when Bulgaria becomes a member
of the European Community, it need not,
as it will be regarded as intra-Community
movement.
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New Zealand implemented ISPM15 on 16 April 2006.
It has however recently consulted on changes
to the Import Health Standard Wood Packaging
Materials from All Countries. We have
been advised that the new
standard will come into effect on 1 May
2006. |
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