March/April 2019
B ULK D ISTRIBUTOR
Industrial Packaging
7
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new industry grouping aims to represent
bulk liquid logistics operators
worldwide.
Premier Bulk Liquids Alliance (PBLA) says it is
proud to be the fi rst global network for
independent freight forwarders, logistics
companies and service providers in the bulk
liquids transport industry.
Although open to numerous sector participants,
the initiative has come primarily on behalf of
fl exitank operators. However, PBLA says it also
welcomes ISO tank container operators and wine
& spirits forwarders.
In choosing members, PBLA follows a strict
protocol to ensure that all partners meet its
stringent code of ethics, as well as ensuring that
they are either experienced in the handling of
bulk liquids or are committed to creating a bulk
liquids division within their company with
experienced personnel.
PBLA has been co-founded by Horst Behm and
Jason Wright. Behm, the alliance’s president, has
held senior management positions within several
global freight forwarding companies in Europe
and North America for the past 25 years.
Vice president Wright has been in the shipping
and freight forwarding business for 24 years and
more specifi cally in the bulk liquid logistics
industry since 2000, spending over 15 years in
different sales management roles with a leading
global fl exitank operator.
The market acceptance has been most
gratifying, the alliance says. PBLA has been
successful in achieving coverage in 21 countries
over the past seven months. The business plan for
2019 targets a minimum of 30 countries by the
end of the year.
Due to the strong demand, PBLA has scheduled
its fi rst annual conference for 9-10 September
2019 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Horst Behm and Jason Wright will also be
present at transport logistic in Munich from 4-7
June, hosted by Trust Flexitanks.
www.pblalliance.com
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reif has appointed Sven Henigschmidt
and Marco Mostert as area sales
managers for Greif Germany.
Sven Henigschmidt will be based out of Greif’s
steel drum production facility in Hamburg,
focusing on serving customers in the northern
regions of Germany. Marco Mostert will be based
in Cologne and is responsible for a range of clients
across the country. Mostert and Henigschmidt are
rejoining Greif following time outside of the
company.
“Sven and Marco’s appointments are in direct
response to growing market opportunities in
Germany,” said Christoph Ehling, Greif sales
manager in Germany.
“Both bring a vast wealth of industrial experience
and strong relationships with customers and
decision makers. Their appointments will
L-r: Sven Henigschmidt, Duro Manjevic, Sophie Hammermeister,
Rüdiger Doblun, Christoph Ehling, Marco Mostert, Bernhard Hofmann
strengthen the commercial reach of Greif’s team,
helping to both stimulate and grow new business
while also servicing the important needs of our
existing customers.” These appointments follow
several new additions to the commercial team in
Germany in recent months. Bernhard Hofmann
was appointed to area sales manager and Sophie
Hammermeister has joined as sales manager for
reconditioning, as Greif continues to attract talent
to support its ambitious growth plans.
Greif operates four production facilities across
Germany, in Cologne, Hamburg, Mendig and
Huckelhoven. Its product portfolio includes steel
drums and IBCs serving customers in the chemical,
lubricants, food and beverage and pharmaceutical
markets.
www.greif.com
oplasticpallets.com has pledged to
recycle every plastic pallet and plastic
box it supplies to customers.
This announcement comes in the wake of the
huge amount of negative media coverage on
single-use plastics and the impact on the
environment and marine life.
Last October 250 major brands vowed to
eliminate all single-use plastics from their
operations and invest in new technology so all
packaging could be recycled by 2025 – a move
described by the United Nations as the most
ambitious effort yet to fi ght plastic pollution.
Jim Hardisty, managing director, said: “Our
promise is our word – we guarantee to take full
responsibility for recycling each and every plastic
pallet and box we supply to our customers. And,
not only that, but we intend to make it as simple
as possible for customers of all sizes to recycle
their plastic pallets and boxes by offering both
‘drop off’ and ‘collection’ options.
“Each customer that purchases plastic pallets
and boxes from us will receive a certifi cate – our
recycling commitment – this reinforces the
responsible attitude we have towards recycling
our products.”
Last year the Environment Agency certifi ed
Goplasticpallets.com as an Accredited Exporter of
plastic packaging waste. Just one year on, the
company has set itself the ambitious target of
recycling 350 tonnes of plastic waste from its
customers’ used plastic pallets and boxes by the
end of 2019.
Currently 96 percent of the plastic pallets
Goplasticpallets.com supplies are made from
recycled materials. Just 4 percent are produced
from virgin material which is recommended for
ultra-hygienic environments, for instance some
food and pharmaceutical products.