CHEP Forms Partnership with Bobcat in US Automotive Sector

TROY, Mich., July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- CHEP, the global leader in pallet and container pooling services, is pleased to announce it has secured a new contract in the automotive sector in the USA – with compact industrial vehicle producer Bobcat Company.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110718/DE36299LOGO )

Bobcat, a business of Doosan Infracore Co Ltd, has entered into a three-year partnership under which CHEP Automotive Americas will be its returnable packaging provider for its manufacturing operations in North Dakota.

CHEP's returnable container pooling and packaging expertise will enable Bobcat to convert disposable packaging it currently uses to a standardized, environmentally-friendly and cost-effective solution.

Jim Adkins, Vice President, Bobcat North American Sourcing, said: "The CHEP solution provides hard savings by eliminating costly corrugated packaging while providing an added environmental benefit, helping Bobcat to improve further its sustainability performance. These factors, along with a reduced need for capital investment to convert to returnables, were key in our decision to partner with CHEP."

Pierre-Luc Mathieu, Vice President & General Manager, CHEP Automotive Americas: "We are delighted to have secured Bobcat as a new customer for CHEP's North American automotive business, and look forward to a successful partnership in coming years."

Tom Gorman, CEO of CHEP parent company Brambles Limited, said: "We have has been operating in the automotive sector since 1978, serving a network of valued customers in Europe, South Africa, China, India, South-East Asia and Australia. The establishment of an automotive business in North America is a key part of our global growth strategy and we welcome Bobcat as a partner."

About Bobcat

Bobcat Company, headquartered in West Fargo, N.D., is a business of Doosan Infracore Co., Ltd., a worldwide leader in the manufacturing and distribution of compact and heavy industrial products. Bobcat compact equipment includes skid-steer, all-wheel steer and compact track loaders; compact excavators; mini-track loaders; VersaHandler® telescopic tool carriers; utility vehicles; compact tractors and Toolcat™ utility work machines. Bobcat is a global brand with more than 600 dealer locations in North America and the leader in compact equipment — the industry's original innovator, beginning more than 50 years ago with the first compact machine and predecessor to the skid-steer loader. For more information on Bobcat products, visit www.bobcat.com.

About CHEP

CHEP Automotive provides container pooling services for manufacturers and their tiered suppliers across the globe. CHEP's service reduces packaging costs by eliminating capital investments, providing economies of scale in transportation and operations while being environmentally sustainable. CHEP Automotive provides the Right Equipment; in the Right Quantity; at the Right Time; in the Right Place; at the Right Price. For more information about CHEP Automotive, please visit www.chep.com.

About Brambles

Brambles Limited (ASX: BXB) is a provider of pallet and container pooling solutions, primarily through CHEP and IFCO, and of information management solutions through Recall. Brambles employs more than 15,000 people across six continents. For further information on Brambles and all announcements, presentations and webcasts, please visit www.brambles.com.

SOURCE CHEP