FEBRUARY 2018
technology, as well as in robotic repair. Now, a decade later, CHEP boasts a fully automated plant in South Ockendon.
CHEP has an 85% penetration in Europe in terms of its installation of integrated sort to repair lines and is adding a 75% penetration of robotics. In the U.S., the current comparable numbers are 25% and 10%. “So, it’s clear where the opportunity is,” he said.
As such, CHEP stated that it intends to move the US network at the same levels as in Europe. It has defined a three-year plan to invest between $150 million to $160 million. It anticipates a four-year payback return. The company intends to deploy more than 48 automatic digital inspections and more than 120 robotics repairs across more than 50 U.S. locations. The company intends to utilize its European expertise in the transformation of its U.S. network. Automation is anticipated to not only reduce labor requirements but also boost plant capacity by up to 30% to 40%.