FEFPEB announces Ireland as venue for 66 Congress

Wooden pallets and packaging: A sustainable business in a fast-changing world

The European Federation of Wooden Pallet & Packaging Manufacturers (FEFPEB) has announced that it will hold its congress in Cork, Ireland on October 28 2015.

Entitled “Wooden pallets and packaging: A sustainable business in a fast-changing world”, the congress will highlight the foremost issues affecting the timber pallet and packaging sector and offer the chance to discuss and network with colleagues from around the world.

The three-day event will focus on the environmental credentials of the wooden pallet and packaging industry, highlighting its role as an outlet for approximately 25 per cent of the output of home grown sawn timber; as a material that absorbs carbon from the atmosphere as it grows and stores it at the end of its useful life; and that plays a central part in sustainable forestry. Visits to local companies will include a pallet manufacturer which has developed its business recovering, repairing and recycling used pallets.

Based at the Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork, the programme will feature visits to some of Ireland’s leading companies in the sector, including a state-of-the-art sawmill, a pallet manufacturer and a composite block manufacturer; a day of updates on topics including the European, American, Canadian and Chinese pallet and other packaging industries worldwide; ISPM 15 regulations; the lightweight packaging sector; and the Packaging from Nature campaign; social events, which include a cultural dinner and evening of dog racing at Cork’s Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium; and networking opportunities throughout. There is also a full partners’ programme that takes in highlights of the region.

The event will be held alongside the second meeting of the international pallet and packaging industry’s World Forum. Delegates are expected to visit from the UK and Ireland, the USA and Canada, South Africa, South America, Australasia and China.

FEFPEB President Rob van Hoesel said: “FEFPEB works on behalf of its members throughout the year, and our congress provides the vital opportunity to inform them about the latest developments and changes affecting their businesses. This event gives us them the opportunity to learn about and discuss these issues, network and socialise; with the objective of furthering the wooden pallet and packaging business for the benefit of all. We are expecting approximately 200 delegates and partners to attend this essential event.

“We have already signed up a significant number of sponsors. Following feedback from previous FEFPEB congresses, there will be a great emphasis on giving maximum exposure to sponsors at this event.”

The Timber Packaging & Pallet Confederation (TIMCON) is hosting the event with the assistance of its membership in Ireland. TIMCON President John Dye said: “It is a great honour to host the FEFPEB congress and we are planning a first class and exciting itinerary. It’s been 12 years since TIMCON last hosted the congress, and as well as providing a full and useful programme of events, we will be taking the opportunity to highlight to our international packaging and pallet colleagues how our industry has innovated, modernised and developed in line with our customers’ expectations.”

For more information about the congress, to sign up, and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.fefpebcongress.com