EPAL SUISSE elects new board and president

EPAL SUISSE elects new board and president

EPAL SUISSE, the Swiss member association of the European Pallet Association e.V. (EPAL), elected a new board and president on 15 December 2021. In spite of restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 19 of the total of 26 members who produce or repair EPAL pallets or offer SBB exchange frames and SBB exchange lids in Switzerland took part in EPAL SUISSE's general meeting.

The main purpose of the general meeting was to elect a new board and president as Thomas Bögli, who had been president for many years, had already announced in September 2021 that he would step down.

Thomas Bögli, GS1 Switzerland Board member: “The EPAL exchange pool is extremely important for sustainable goods and transportation logistics in Switzerland and Europe. However, a pallet exchange system will only work if it is accepted and supported by its users. It was therefore always a priority for me as a representative of GS1 Switzerland on the EPAL SUISSE board to promote collaboration between the EPAL SUISSE pallet association and the users of EPAL exchange pallets. However, after 19 years on the Board of EPAL SUISSE, it is time for the next generation to continue this work.”

The new elected Board members are Pascal Holliger, Thomas Lanz, Simon Kalt and Giovanni Panzera. The Verband der schweizerischen Holzverpackungs- und Palettenindustrie (VHPI) (Swiss Wooden Packaging and Pallet Industry Association) also has representation on the board of EPAL SUISSE.

Pascal Holliger was elected as the new president of EPAL SUISSE. He is 35 years old, married and has two children. “The new team on the EPAL SUISSE Board will actively represent the interests of Swiss EPAL licensees, at home and abroad,” says Pascal Holliger. “As a founding member of EPAL, EPAL SUISSE will also be involved in making the EPAL exchange pool even better. We owe a debt of gratitude to Thomas Bögli for his many years of pro bono work.“

EPAL SUISSE represents the interests of EPAL’s 7 production and 19 repair operations in Switzerland. Production and repair of EPAL pallets in Switzerland grew by approximately 22.5% in 2021. EPAL licensees also produce and repair SBB exchange frames and SBB exchange lids in Switzerland.