Wilkhahn relies on reusable containers

The Boxerpac reusable packaging system is a more efficient packaging solution than the previously used mesh boxes and cardboard boxes. Wilkhahn manufactures chairs and tables for offices in Bad Münder. Depending on the program, the premium manufacturer obtains seat upholstery, mechanisms and certain painted metal parts from other production sites or suppliers. The company used to use steel mesh boxes and corrugated cardboard boxes on wooden pallets to pack the components. However, both methods had disadvantages.

About Wilkhahn

Wilkhahn Wilkening + Hahne GmbH + Co KG, based in Bad Münder, Germany, stands for "Design made in Germany" worldwide with its office and conference furniture. Founded in 1907, the family business now employs 500 people and generates a turnover of 100 million euros. Wilkhahn also has production facilities in Poland and Australia. Around 70 percent of its products are exported to more than 90 countries.

Wilkhahn complained about stability problems when stacking the boxes, which also had to be constantly disposed of as disposable packaging. The rigid lattice boxes in turn caused high costs because they could not be reduced in volume during return transportation to the suppliers. Furthermore, additional inlays were required in the metal boxes for padding and fixation. Neither the cardboard boxes nor the lattice boxes could guarantee reliable protection for the sensitive furniture parts.

Volume reduction saves costs

The sensitive furniture parts are well stowed in the containers even without the use of inlays.

The right solution for Wilkhahn was the introduction of the Boxerpac reusable plastic container system from Schoeller Allibert. With their closed side walls and integrated lids, the robust large load carriers offer maximum protection against damage, dirt and moisture. A major advantage is the wide range of variants in terms of ring heights, the ability to retrofit skids instead of feet and other design options. The pallet base, ring and lid of the containers can be flexibly combined. Schoeller Allibert produced several thousand units for Wilkhahn in Euro size with special heights.

Compared to cardboard boxes, Boxerpac containers offer better stackability with the same overall stability. Compared to mesh boxes, foldable plastic packaging reduces the cost of transporting empty containers to suppliers and saves space in the warehouse. Their volume when folded is only around a quarter of the volume of mesh containers. When filled with cargo in the truck, the containers play another trump card: The transport packaging fills the usable height of the vehicles. Wilkhahn has the new packaging solution to thank for a 30 percent improvement in loading volume. The containers are also easier to handle due to their low weight.

About Schoeller Allibert

Schoeller Allibert is the global market leader in reusable plastic packaging for transportation and storage. For more than 60 years, the company has been optimizing supply chains and reducing its customers' logistics costs. Typical areas of application for the packaging solutions are agriculture, automotive, retail, food and beverage, manufacturing and pooling services.

Reusable system amortized after 1.5 years

"The packaging system from Schoeller Allibert has made our processes with suppliers much more efficient," says Thomas Strozyk, Director of Materials Management at Wilkhahn. According to him, the furniture manufacturer expects a return on investment after just 1.5 years. The potential savings in the disposal of cardboard and film and the efficiency of truck journeys should also not be neglected. In view of the results, Wilkhahn is planning to switch to the new solution for goods transportation with suppliers in Europe.

www.wilkhahn.comwww.schoellerallibert.de