Customised container solution for ROSSMANN’s intralogistics
A specially developed picking container from bekuplast is being used at ROSSMANN’s central warehouse in Landsberg.
Optimised processes in retail logistics
In retail logistics, selecting the right intralogistics containers plays a crucial role – particularly when picking small items. The containers previously used in the ROSSMANN central warehouse had reached their technical limits due to heavy use. Deflections in the base area repeatedly caused disruptions in the automated conveyor process. In addition, any gaps that formed had to be secured with disposable materials such as cardboard and adhesive tape. The aim of the joint development was to increase process reliability in the conveyor system, simplify picking and the upstream set-up process, whilst at the same time making the use of materials more sustainable.
To address these challenges, a completely new, tailor-made solution was designed as part of a container replacement programme.
Central logistics hub: the ROSSMANN central warehouse in Landsberg
With over 2,300 branches in Germany alone, ROSSMANN is one of Europe’s leading drugstore chains. At the Landsberg site, around 19,000 different items are picked daily for the store network. The central warehouse thus forms the heart of the supply chain – an area where robust, reliable and automation-compatible reusable containers are indispensable.
The new generation of containers – designed for heavy-duty use
The specially custom-built container, developed jointly, meets these requirements in several respects:
- Sturdy double base for reliable movement on conveyor systems
- Two transparent access flaps, operable with one hand and lockable in three positions
- VDS-compliant safety grid instead of a lid – important for compliance with fire safety regulations
- Ergonomic sliding flap for quick access to goods
- Gridded handles, integrated in-mould labels, gripper openings for automation systems
- Studded fields for adhesive labels for secure labelling
These well-thought-out detailed solutions ensure smooth operation in automated systems, facilitate access to goods and improve handling in day-to-day operations.
Greater sustainability through closed material cycles
The new container solution not only reduces disruptions in conveyor systems but also replaces the previous use of single-use materials. At the same time, the old containers were taken back and recycled by bekuplast. The recovered plastics are fed back into the production cycle and thus remain usable in the long term – a consistent contribution to the circular economy.
A forward-looking project
With their combination of stability, ergonomic handling, safety and sustainable use of materials, ROSSMANN and bekuplast are setting new standards in intralogistics. This specially developed generation of containers demonstrates how well-designed reusable packaging can make modern logistics processes both more efficient and more environmentally friendly.