Global agribusiness Flamingo has its busiest time of the year in the first quarter of every year, with Valentine’s Day quickly followed by Mother’s Day.
It works with one of Europe’s leading pallet poolers, IPP, to ensure its blooms make it to the supermarket shelves in good time for key events in its peak season, while also reaching key efficiency and sustainability targets.
During this time, it will see the number of pallets transported by IPP increase by 100 per cent – a vital partnership for the business, which has seen a five per cent increase in overall demand for its products year-on-year.
Flamingo supplies hundreds of millions of stems of flowers, plants and produce to UK and European supermarkets and florists. It works with partner growers in 19 countries, with a goal of products reaching the shelves within 96 hours of being farmed.
It relies on IPP to keep its supply chain moving with a reliable supply of pallets, enabling it to move products efficiently from its sites to its retail customers.
Vanuza Machado, UK inbound logistics co-ordinator, said: “We’ve been working with IPP for more than 10 years, building a strong and collaborative partnership over that time.
“Key events like Mother’s Day bring a significant uplift in volume, so flexibility and responsiveness are crucial. IPP supports us by ensuring pallet supply keeps pace with increased demand, helping us manage peak volumes smoothly and maintain service levels during our busiest periods.
“This long-standing partnership is built on reliability, open communication and a shared focus on continuous improvement. As our business grows across the UK and Europe, having trusted partners who understand our operations is more important than ever.”
Sustainability is a priority for Flamingo as it continues to grow, with its focus on reducing its carbon footprint through renewable energy investment, greater use of sea freight, improved water stewardship, lower chemical usage, biodiversity projects and stronger waste and recycling programmes.
IPP brings innovation and added value to the partnership beyond simply providing pallets, as its use of Internet of Things (IoT) technology and its advanced forecasting and planning capabilities helps optimise product flows during peak periods, reducing waste and unnecessary miles.
IPP commercial director Demi Crabbe said: “For more than a decade, our partnership with Flamingo has demonstrated the value of reliability and innovation during peak periods.
“We have a truly collaborative approach to resolving any challenges, which we achieve through open communication. Improving efficiencies and reducing environmental impact is at the forefront of both our agendas.
“By combining our robust pooling network with our circular approach, we help customers reduce waste, cut carbon and deliver products on time, every time. This Mother’s Day, we’re committed to ensuring Flamingo can meet demand seamlessly and continue delighting consumers across the UK.”
