Partners in innovation: Cooreman packages poultry in a new stackable machine-erected tray by Smart Packaging Solutions
What is a sustainable and food-safe alternative to the plastic crates used for transporting fresh poultry? That’s what poultry slaughterhouse Cooreman asked Smart Packaging Solutions. Together, we developed a solid board stackable machine-erected tray for packaging poultry. “We were looking for efficient and food-safe packaging that didn’t need return transport and, teaming up with Smart Packaging Solutions, we found it with this machine-erected tray,” says Andy Cooreman.
Delivered today, in stores tomorrow
Poultry slaughterhouse Cooreman in Dendermonde is one of the largest in Belgium. Annually, Cooreman slaughters and processes around thirty million chickens, and the company has plans for further growth in the years ahead. The Cooreman company slogan is: ‘They don’t come any fresher’. “Chickens delivered to us in the morning are in the store the following morning,” says Andy Cooreman, who, together with his sisters Sarah and Astrid, represents the third generation of the family business.
From idea to packaging
Plastic crates are used to transport poultry in Belgium and internationally. Despite being reusable, they have practical downsides. “We export to countries including Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, and plastic crates have to be cleaned and returned after use, which is very time-consuming given the scale of our business,” says Andy Cooreman. “Also, since Brexit, extra rules and transport costs apply to returning empty crates from the UK. So we started looking for a more efficient alternative, and we found it with the help of Smart Packaging Solutions.”
Solid board: strong, sustainable and food-safe
The new stackable machine-erected tray is made of solid board, which consists mainly of recycled fibres. A key benefit is its strength: the trays are ideal for stacking, allowing loads of up to 1,000 kilograms per pallet. Johan De Neef, Managing Director of Smart Packaging Solutions: “We tested them extensively ourselves, and with Cooreman, to ensure the tray’s stability even after several days in cold storage.”
Andy Cooreman adds: “Solid board keeps its shape and rigidity, even in damp or cold conditions or when a product remains in its packaging at the customer’s location for a day or two. This gives us, and our customers, peace of mind. What’s more, the product stays cool in the tray, which guarantees food safety.”
Greater efficiency, lower costs
In addition to sustainability, the new stackable machine-erected tray also offers logistical advantages. Andy Cooreman: “Our customers no longer need to return plastic crates. This means less transport, less paperwork, and lower costs. Moreover, we’ve seen that a growing number of customers who process our poultry products are reusing the stackable machine-erected tray for their own transport. In this way, the packaging also helps to make that stage of the supply chain more efficient.”
The poultry slaughterhouse has worked hard on brand recognition with its own Cooreman packaging, which was developed in collaboration with Smart Packaging Solutions. “We made a conscious decision to market our slaughterhouse as a brand,” explains Andy Cooreman. “In our sector, a lot of plastic crates are used by different companies, but I prefer to deliver our product in packaging that’s instantly recognisable as ours. It projects professionalism. That’s why Smart Packaging Solutions prints the new tray in a uniform Cooreman style, just like the other boxes we get from them.”
Stackable machine-erected tray for poultry, meat, and fish
The new stackable machine-erected tray is also of interest to other customers in the poultry, meat and fish industries. “Cooreman was open to working with us on developing and testing ideas,” says Johan De Neef. “That’s characteristic of our partnership – we’re both family businesses committed to growth and innovation. Our collaboration goes back decades, and living so close – less than five kilometres apart – it works perfectly.”