A large drugstore chain had grown strongly with folding boxes and standard dollies. In order to further optimise store logistics, the company was looking for container solutions that offer further cost savings and higher storage and transport efficiency. Particular emphasis was placed on better utilisation of the transport volume of the trucks and on the simplest possible and most time-saving handling of the transport containers in the stores. Only two basic container dimensions were to be used and the transport boxes moved by stacking robots. A flexible double-deck structure with many detailed solutions, rolling from the central warehouse right onto the sales floor.
The boxes are picked and packed specifically for each store and automatically stacked on roller dollies to form dispatch towers. Two dispatch towers are stacked on top of each other with a particularly robust lid carrying 250 kg. This makes full use of the transport space of the trucks and optimises transport costs. For storing the goods in the store, the dispatch towers are spearated to ensure simple and ergonomic handling. Rolls with a diameter of 125 mm and a soft surface support easy handling and minimise noise.
With the WALTHER folding boxes in the dimensions 600 x 400 and 800 x 600 mm, suitable containers were found in the standard range. Customised adjustments in the area of the hinges and the locking mechanism at the front to increase folding speed were quickly implemented as were a hinged, internal lid with locks in order to meet requirements for transporting hazardous goods in small quantities (LO).
In order to be able to vary the height of the folding boxes, folding frames were developed which double the internal height of the folding containers. Via the different colour coding of the boxes, their properties can be recognised even when they are still folded. Folding the boxes achieves a reduction in volume of more than 70%.