Whilst the roll-rack is capable of transporting products other than the
dominant 1-litre fresh milk carton, there are approximately 1,000 Tine
products that do require other types of carrier. These other carriers
include plastic crates, cardboard boxes and pallets. Since the introduction
of the roll-rack, Tine has adapted it to accommodate carriage
of plastic troughs/trays within it by increasing the width by
1 centimetre, but a variety of other carriers are still used.
There are limitations even where the 1-litre fresh milk carton is
concerned. Full use of the roll-rack requires suitable facilities at the
consumer end of the transportation phase. Schools and canteens are
examples of end users that do not have the space to store or display the
crates, and they also do not order the volumes necessary to fill the rollracks.
A further concern for Tine’s use of the roll-rack is the general
reduction in 1-litre carton milk sales. With the introduction of many
new products, Tine has experienced a reduction of milk sales as a
percentage of all products within its distribution network.
Tine had developed an effective carrier for its main product, 1-litre
fresh milk cartons. The benefits, although not universal, are economically
and environmentally efficient. However, despite the roll-rack’s
flexible design, which can accommodate products other than those it
was specifically designed for, many of Tine’s other products are still not
compatible with this form of carrier. Consideration must be given to
how the roll-rack can be adapted to suit the network of products better.