TAMPA, FL - We are on the brink of the one-year mark since IFCO launched its Wood Grain Reusable Plastic Containers (RPCs). Now, the company announced that it’s celebrating a key milestone, having surpassed 11 million shipments since that debut.

“We are proud to partner with Walmart and its fresh produce suppliers to provide them with innovative, efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable reusable packaging that transitions easily to in-store display,” said Daniel Walsh, President of IFCO North America, in a release that noted over 300 growers supplying Walmart with a variety of fresh produce items have placed orders.

Walsh continued, “Surpassing the 11 million Wood Grain RPC threshold so quickly is an impressive accomplishment made possible through strong collaboration between Walmart, the grower community, and IFCO.”

The company entered an agreement with one of the world’s largest retailers in October of 2015 to use Wood Grain RPCs to ship fresh produce to Walmart.

“Walmart chooses to use Wood Grain RPCs to deliver produce for a variety of reasons,” said Shawn Baldwin, SVP of Produce, Floral, and Global Food Sourcing for Walmart USA. “They have better ventilation, they’re ergonomically designed, and very easy to use. And, our customers really like the new Wood Grain RPCs because they look more like a farmers market or roadside fruit stand, which provides a level of comfort during the shopping experience.”

The company said that its RPCs were designed to Walmart specifications, as well as incorporating feedback received from the grower community. IFCO also noted that, like all its RPCs, the Wood Grain product is:

• More efficient
• Protect and cool product better
• Are more environmentally sustainable than one-way packaging

As we recently reported, IFCO and its Wood Grain RPC were featured on global TV show Worldwide Business with kathy ireland®. You can see this shining moment for the company and the industry in the video below:

In the U.S. alone, IFCO demonstrates its strong commitment to supporting local economies, companies, and workers by sourcing and manufacturing 100% if its Wood Grain RPCs in America and meet the FTC’s standard for its “Made in the USA” country of origin label.

The product is also cleaned and sanitized at one of six U.S. service centers throughout its life cycle. Keep checking in as we continue to report on this and other key milestones for those that make up the product industry.

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