EIPS May 18, 2000 Phone Conference

Meeting Attendees:

bulletRon Johnson (Intel)
bulletPaul Russell (HP)
bulletBob Sanders (IBM)
bulletBobby Hayes (IBM)
bulletBeth Feldkamp (Compaq)
bulletJohn Clarke (VTU)

Minutes:

Bob Sanders opened the meeting with roll call and reviewed the current Brazil situation. The Agricultural Inspectors are on strike and therefore ANY pallet made of ANY kind of wood would be subject to delays since no one is there to inspect them and approve them. The only alternatives to avoid this problem are no pallets, plastic pallets, or some other non-wood material. So, the good news about the US exemption on the fumigation requirements has backfired at least temporarily.

Bob also reported that Cookson Plastics is developing a new pallet that may fit our profile. They also have a one-way export pallet which is just 25 lbs. and is made from 100% "crate grade" regrind.

John Clarke then reviewed the performance requirements previously discussed in Orlando but now documented (sent separately). The group agreed with the recommendations but everyone still has an opportunity to review again in detail. The scope of these requirements was only the reusable, International, 1200x1000mm version. Similar requirements will be applied to other dimensions as applicable.

The group discussed the possibility of piloting the pallets and the reuse program with a few selected suppliers that may be suppliers to all of us (example: sheet metal fabricators such as Fullarton, Mercury Aircraft, Enlite, or Baysteel). The trial program could then be extended to selected channel partners such as Inacom, MicroAge, Magirus, and retailers such as CompUSA, Circuit City, or Best Buy to get a more thorough evaluation.

 Actions:

bulletBob Sanders will fold in the updated performance requirements into the larger draft document and submit to the team.
bulletPaul Russell will track down potential partners in the retail world
bulletBob Sanders will track down potential partners in the channel distributor world
bulletBobby Hayes will make contacts at Mercury and Fullarton
bulletRon Johnson will make contacts at Enlite (sp?) and Baysteel
bulletSend draft specs to a few pallet suppliers for comment (any of us may do)

 Agenda for Next Meeting: Thursday, June 15, 2000 11am eastern time, 712-271-3804, code 96707#

1. Review results from action items above
2. Review comebacks if any from CHEP
3. Review comebacks if any from other pallet suppliers with regard to the draft performance specs.
4. Finalize the Performance Specs for formal distribution to candidate pallet suppliers
5. Invite representatives from selected pallet supplier(s) to participate in the July Meeting