DACHSER wins German Packaging Award in the Logistics & Material Flow category

Innovative reusable system for shop deliveries honored

"We are delighted about the recognition for our new development in groupage logistics," says Stefan Hohm, Chief Development Officer (CDO) at DACHSER. "We invest in innovation when it brings clear added value for customers and can be used as standard throughout the entire logistics network," explains Stefan Hohm, Chief Development Officer (CDO) at DACHSER. "Both criteria are fully met by the Retail Box. It is a new type of reusable system for goods that previously could not benefit from the processes and advantages of a groupage network, or could only do so using disposable transport packaging."

DACHSER has developed the Retail Box as a robust, lockable roll container in two sizes – Euro and half pallet dimensions – together with Wanzl, the global market leader for shopping and luggage transport trolleys, based in Leipheim. A tracking platform from the software start-up Logistikbude and the use of low-cost mobile communications systems (NB-IoT/LTE-M/2G) from the telecommunications company Deutsche Telekom ensure the efficient management and real-time tracking of all Retail Boxes in daily use.

Reusable transport solution for various industries

DACHSER has developed the Retail Box as a robust, lockable roll container in two sizes – Euro and half pallet dimensions – together with Wanzl, the global market leader for shopping and luggage transport trolleys, based in Leipheim. A tracking platform from the software start-up Logistikbude and the use of low-cost mobile communications systems (NB-IoT/LTE-M/2G) from the telecommunications company Deutsche Telekom ensure the efficient management and real-time tracking of all Retail Boxes in daily use.

The reusable transport system for hanging and flat goods was initially developed by the industry solution DACHSER Fashion Logistics for the transport of fashion items. However, the Retail Box has long since become more than just a reusable transport container for hanging garments. It is also used in other applications in the consumer goods industry, e.g. for transporting sensitive or valuable products. However, the Retail Box is not intended for transporting food.

"In close cooperation with our partners and customers, we have created and launched the Retail Box, a packaging solution for process-optimized shop delivery that is precisely tailored to the requirements and needs of the retail sector," explains Jens Wollmann, Head of Corporate Solutions at DACHSER. "A great deal of logistics and industry expertise has gone into the Retail Box. All customers can now benefit from this solution and optimize their logistics balance by using the Retail Box."

"Sustainability was also a priority in the design of the Retail Box. On the one hand, the loading space in the truck is used optimally. On the other hand, the transport solution is reusable. For hanging suits, for example, the packaging waste in the life cycle of a Retail Box is reduced by more than 4,000 kilograms compared to disposable systems," says Uwe Riechel, Department Head DACHSER Fashion Logistics.

Every year, the German Packaging Institute presents the German Packaging Award to innovative and creative packaging ideas in an international, cross-industry, and cross-material competition. This year, a total of 37 different packaging, machines, displays, logistics solutions, designs, and concepts for young talent were honored by the independent jury. The official award ceremony and announcement of the winners of the Gold Awards for particularly groundbreaking innovations will take place on September 23 at the "Fachpack" trade fair.