L'Atelier des Producteurs secures its vegetable supply with IPP

Based in Liposthey, in the Southwest of France, the Landes vegetable packing plant – a subsidiary of Fermes Larrère – entrusts the management of its wooden pallets to the European company IPP. Each year, 115,000 pallet movements are carried out from the semi-automated washing and packing station to major retailers.

According to IPP's forecasts, pallet rental could gain an additional 20 to 30% market share by 2030 in the European fleet of Euro pallets and disposable pallets in circulation. Driven by this double-digit growth, the pooling specialist aims to double its revenue in Europe by that time, reaching €500 million.

Among the key users in Southwest France is L'Atelier des Producteurs, a subsidiary of Fermes Larrère , a family business established in the Landes region since 1958. Specializing in vegetable production—historically carrots—and now diversified (cabbage, sweet potatoes, asparagus, etc.), the farm cultivates 1,960 hectares, 50% of which is organic. With a focus on controlling the value chain, Fermes Larrère manages the entire cycle, from production to marketing, supplying supermarkets, wholesalers, and processors. In Liposthey, L'Atelier des Producteurs receives the harvests, washes, sorts, and grades them before shipment. The site, which employs around one hundred people, operates with a semi-automated facility equipped with optical sorters and automated bagging machines.

A choice of circularity

To manage volumes subject to seasonal fluctuations and activity peaks, L'Atelier des Producteurs chose to entrust the management of its pallet flows to IPP. " Based on our values, we operate with a logic that combines economic performance and respect for the environment," explains Anthony Lafargue, Packaging Manager at L'Atelier des Producteurs. "The circular model of pallet rental fits perfectly within this philosophy." From its Liposthey site, IPP delivers its pallets, which are loaded with vegetables and then shipped to supermarkets. Once the products arrive on the shelves, the pallets are collected by the rental company, sorted, repaired if necessary, and then put back into circulation. "Thanks to quality controls, our pallets have an average lifespan of about ten years, meeting all requirements," emphasizes Michael Karadjinov, Sales Director for France at IPP. "We are completely satisfied with the quality of IPP pallets. We have never had a complaint from our customers." "They are more resistant than Euro or disposable pallets," adds Anthony Lafargue.

Renting: a simple and effective system

Beyond its circular aspect, L'Atelier des Producteurs emphasizes the simplicity of the system. "Each week, we estimate our pallet needs using the IPP platform. On Fridays, we report the movements made. We then only conduct two inventories per year ," explains Anthony Lafargue. "It's a simple, flexible, and very efficient system." The site uses 80x120 and 60x80 Düsseldorf-type pallets, for a total of 115,000 movements annually. Working alongside L'Atelier des Producteurs, IPP highlights a long-term relationship of trust. "We maintain transparent and constructive exchanges, which allow us to support the growth of Fermes Larrère ," concludes Michael Karadjinov.