EIPS Meeting Minutes, June 15, 2000

Thanks again for your interest and support in keeping this going.

Attendees: Bob Sanders (IBM), Ron Johnson (Intel), Paul Russell (HP), Erich Guenter (IBM), John Clarke (VTU)

Comebacks from May meeting:

-- Updated Draft of Spec to include test protocol (Bob Sanders). This is attached below. This now includes the test protocol for the 1200x1000 reusable Intl. pallets converted into table format. Space has also been provided for the 1200x800mm reusable pallet and domestic versions of both.

John Clarke will fill in those blanks. Appendix A for Intl. Pool Pallets.

Appendix B for one-way domestic pallets.

Appendix C: Marking Procedure for wooden type pallets (not applicable to plastic pallets but we may need to expand this to include markings that we would want to see on the plastic pallets if any are used.)

-- Contacts at Retailers (Paul Russell): No luck yet in landing some contacts will to work with us. Will keep trying.

-- Contacts at Channel Distributors (Bob Sanders): No response from current EIPS members Chris Ball (Ingram) and Joerg Speikamp (Magirus).

However, these may not be the best candidates. We want to focus on distributors who specialize in the low end product set since these are the most likely to be receiving standard size pallets. CompuNet in Germany was suggested as was MicroAge in the US. Bob will build a template for collecting these names in spreadsheet format. All members are encouraged to assist in collecting contact names at downstream retailers and distributors as well as on the supply side. This will be only marginally successful without a broader supply chain view.

-- Contacts at Major Suppliers: Bobby Hayes was to contact folks at Fullarton and Mercury (Bobby not available to status). Ron Johnson has not had any responses yet from Enlight (Taiwan) and Maysteel (Wisconsin).

-- CHEP Followups: Their presentation has been posted to the website (thanks Paul). No one reports any additional contacts from CHEP.

New Business:

1. Wooden Pallet Marking Procedure: Bob Sanders reviewed IBM's updated procedure. There were no major objections. All EIPS members are free to use it if they like. The new procedure was intended to improve on the marking process and also avoid some pitfalls from experience. This was added as Appendix C to the draft EIPS spec.

2. Korean and Asian Pallet Pools: John Clarke reviewed a potential organization which we may wish to explore. One is the APP (Asian Pallet Pool) which includes Taiwan, Korea, and Japan and soon to include China.

The second is KPP (Korean Pallet Pool). Both favor the 1100x1100mm dimensions. Any idea why??? It is possible that they could be involved in handling pallets within the Asia region as well as returns from the US back to Asia. Not known if they would entertain the idea of handling our pallets. Note: I did follow up with an e-mail to Tony Kwon to ask about this.

3. It was suggested to begin collecting names of these companies into a spreadsheet also. This could be sections added to our current spreadsheet which collects EIPS members with sections for EIPS members sorted by where they fall in the supply chain, downstream and upstream partners for the trial pool, and lastly the pallet management companies and what regions they serve.

Next Meeting Agenda (July 20, 2000):

1. Follow-ups on all of the above.

2. Special Invited Guests: Execs. from Cookson Plastics. Note: I'll ask them to join the call at 11:30am eastern time. This will give us 30 minutes to review old business and perhaps prepare some specific questions for them. The purpose will be to review our draft design specs and see how it matches up with current or planned offerings (a "sanity check" if you will).

Identical file in three formats.....

(Web, EIPS Specification 6-15-00.doc , EIPS Specification 6-15-00.lwp)