PGS and Rodanar Pallets form joint-venture

Oct 02, 2014. /Lesprom Network/.  De Backer, the subsidiary of the French group Palettes Gestion Services (PGS), and Rodanar, form RDB Pallets, a new joint venture. It will provide employment for 120 people and generate an annual turnover of Euro 60 million, with an annual capacity of 10 million pallets rolling off 14 production lines, as the company said in the press release received by Lesprom Network.

RDB Pallets is intent on expanding its activities beyond Belgium’s borders, particularly in France, the Netherlands, and Germany, but also in the United Kingdom where there is a significant shortage of pallet wood. Through this alliance, De Backer en Rodanar will be able to market and expand their offer and services by relying on their two most important production sites in Poperinge and Snaaskerke-Gistel.

The two companies plan to extend their range of services to the collection, repair and marketing of second-hand pallets.

Luc Grauwet, managing director of RODANAR, said: “Our goal is to develop synergies so as to be able to provide new services to our customers, who will benefit from the substantial added value created by pooling the expertise and security of two reputable and appreciated manufacturers. Together with the PGS Group, we stand guarantee for a full, diversified and internationally-oriented offer that will enable us to cater to customers throughout Europe and the world.”

Thomas Cappoen, who will manage RDB Pallets together with Luc GRAUWET, concurs: “The unexpected alliance by and between DE BACKER and RODANAR is unprecedented in the Belgian pallet industry. Belgium has enormous potential for growth. DE BACKER has registered 16% growth in the first ten months of the financial year, and RODANAR has posted equally impressive figures, with 17% growth. We are convinced that together we can give our growth ambitions a further boost.”

Finally, for Jean-Louis Louvel, President and Founder of the PGS Group (De Backer’s parent company), the alliance between PGS and Rodanar is but a first step: “Together with Luc and his team and the DE BACKER team, we will pool our resources and experience to set up a joint structure for further development and growth in Belgium. Our plans include the opening of an additional production site for pallets in eastern Belgium.”

PGS Group is the market leader in new and recycled wood-fibre pallets and sawn pallet wood. Its complete offer and international orientation make PGS a major logistics partner in the packaging sector.