History of CHEP
Commonwealth Handling Equipment Pool
The Australian government develops the Allied Materials Handling Standing Committee to provide efficient handling of defence supplies during World War II.
After World War II, the US Army leaves behind a wealth of materials handling equipment at their military bases in Australia. The Australian government combines this asset base with existing infrastructure to form the Commonwealth Handling Equipment Pool, or CHEP.
- 1949
Privatise CHEP
The government decides to privatise the equipment-handling industry and mandates the sale of the organisation now known simply as CHEP.
- 1958
Brambles acquires CHEP
Brambles, a business formed in 1875 with experience in materials handling, acquires CHEP. The business experiences rapid growth and, within a few years, operates the largest pool of pallets and containers in the Southern Hemisphere and the largest hiring fleet of forklift trucks in Australia.
- 1974 - 1991
CHEP expands
CHEP launches equipment-pooling operations in 14 countries across Asia-Pacific, Europe, South Africa, Canada and the USA.
Automotive Solutions
Read moreCHEP launches its Automotive Solutions business in Australia, followed by Europe in 1993.
- 1980-1991
Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC)
CHEP launches it's Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) business in the automotive market in Australia and then extends into general industry.
- 1992
Innovation
CHEP introduces the four-way entry wood block pallet, which revolutionises the materials handling industry by improving handling efficiency.
- 1999
Total Pallet Management
CHEP launches Total Pallet Management (TPM) in the USA
- 1993 - 2002
Pooling operations
CHEP launches pooling operations in a further 22 countries across Africa, Latin America, Central & Eastern Europe and Asia.
CHEP Catalyst & Chemical Containers
In 1998, Brambles acquires Catalyst & Chemical Containers, a specialist provider of pooled container solutions to the petro-chemical industry, and relaunches it as CHEP Catalyst & Chemical Containers.
- 2000
Reusable Plastic Containers
CHEP launches its Reusable Plastic Containers (RPC) business in Australia.
CHEP Innovation Centre
In 2002, CHEP opens the CHEP Innovation Centre in Orlando, Florida, USA, providing an industry-leading packaging and unit-load configuration testing facility.
- 2002 - 2006
CHEP Expansion
CHEP expands its network of pooling operations further in the Middle East, Asia and Central & Eastern Europe
IFCO Acquisition
Brambles makes its largest ever acquisition, IFCO Systems, a global provider of RPC pooling services and a provider of pallet management services in the USA (March).
- 2013
Pallecon
Brambles acquires Pallecon, a leading provider of intermediate bulk container solutions in Europe and the Asia-Pacific.
- 2013
Recall Demerger
Brambles demerges Recall to focus on Pooling Solutions.
- 2015
Kegstar
Brambles acquires Kegstar.
Solutions Portfolio
In 2015, CHEP introduces customer solutions portfolio.
- 2016
LeanLogistics Divestiture
Brambles divests LeanLogistics.
- 2018
IFCO Systems Divestiture
Brambles divests IFCO Systems.