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RPA also recently released the Excellence in Reusable Packaging award winning Cardinal Healthcare case study.
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SPAR Handels AG Switzerland is a leading retailer with independently owned and operated food retail stores and gas stations. SPAR started a project in 2016 to rethink their transport management with foldable roll container.
With a focus on wholesome food, local connectivity, respect for the environment, a nice place to work and dedication to the community, SPAR is always looking for the right balance within their business, regional partners and suppliers.
Since April 2016 SPAR Handels AG belongs 60% to SPAR South Africa. The headquarters and central warehouse are located in St. Gallen, Switzerland, operating 50 milkruns a day to about 350 stores with their own truck fleet. Like other members of the SPAR Group, SPAR Swiss uses simple “demountable” roll containers for their deliveries. To optimize their logistics, SPAR runs a warehouse with a conveyor solution. This system was purpose-built for the existing demountable fleet.
The biggest problems for all retailers with these kind of roll containers are space and handling issues. Empty units need lots of space in shops while they wait to be picked up. Therefore, SPAR started a project in 2016 to rethink their transport management with foldable roll container. After presenting our Foldia® solution to the logistic responsibles Mr. Huber and Mr. Tomas, Foldia® with all its advantages convinced them totally.
“We have considered the process and looked at where we have potential in using the Foldia roll container. At the beginning we only thought about the transport, but it affects several areas of the supply chain such as
- Space saving in the markets
- Higher backhauling capacity on the transport
- Less additional pickups for empties
- Space saving and faster handling when unloading
We are calculating with around 4 roll container higher backhauling capacity per truck load.” mentioned Jürgen Tomas, Head of Logistic Service.
Together with K.Hartwall in 2017 SPAR decided to go further with the Foldia® solution. We started immediately modifying the product to integrate with their conveyor system and SPAR invested also, together with the conveyor system supplier, in some modifications on parts of the system. That was a challenge but our great Product Development guys solve this problem very fast. We refitted two “space bars” on the Foldia® base allowing the unit to be tilted, especially in gaps between the chain and belt conveyor lines. For transporting empty units we refitted “lock bolts” to fix the plastic base on the Foldia®. After successful testing with a first batch of 1,000 units, we secured a further order for further 3,600 Foldia®, with the target to replace the whole fleet of demountable roll containers in 2019.
Foldia® was the right solution for SPAR
Q&A: Scott Krebs, ORBIS
what is it doing to solve some of these problems for its automotive customers?
In the automotive industry, one of the biggest obstacles is standardisation. Toyota puts identification on its packaging [that is] different to what Ford does, and different to what GM does, for example, [but] everybody wants supply chain visibility and everyone has the same supplier. So the supplier of parts to GM is probably also a supplier to Mercedes and BMW and FCA. The supply chain for the tier suppliers is similar, but each OEM has their own packaging and logistics requirements.
Solid Deck Stackable Pallet
One Way Solutions announces the release of an economical, stackable pallet with 9 legs for excellent stability in many applications, including display. This 48 x 48 plastic pallet has a solid deck and 4-way entry that is compatible with nearly all fork trucks and hand trucks. As an extremely cost-effective shipping solution, the pallet also holds up to 572 units per truckload.
An important consideration has been taken to offer excellent safety handling and environmentally friendly components in this pallet:
- 100% recyclable
- Resistant to insects, bacteria and fungi
- No sirex treatment required
- Maintenance free
- Hygienic and clean
The product is now available on the One Way Solutions website and will ship out next business day to any location.
Scott Krebs (pictured, inset), industrial marketing manager of Orbis, explains to Automotive Logistics Magazine why the company is collaborating with OEMs and tier suppliers to push more standardization.
What does Orbis see as the main problem in providing accurate data on where a container is, whether empty or full, and
roblems for its automotive customers?