Komplett saves one container per day
| Customer name | Komplett Group |
|---|---|
| Industry | E-commerce |
Komplett Group's investment in new packaging solutions is as much about sustainability as it is about efficiency. Komplett saves one container per day by eliminating air in the boxes in its transports.
Challenge
Ensure sustainability and efficiency by avoiding unnecessary air and plastic in shipments.
Previously, these orders would have been shipped with a lot of air and plastic. With the new Savoye machines, each box is instead adapted to its contents.
Ever since Komplett Group began using Autostore as its consignment warehouse in 2007, the company has worked continuously to reduce the amount of packaging and optimize transport and delivery times. Sustainability has become an increasingly important factor in recent years, and last year Komplett reached a milestone by eliminating unnecessary air and plastic in its transports. This has been achieved using three new packaging lines, all designed and customized by the company's own logistics department in collaboration with ITO PallPack.
"The investment consists of new carton erectors and packaging machines from French company Savoye, as well as customized conveyors across two floors here. The result is that 99 percent of Autostore's orders are packed automatically without air in three standard box sizes," says Logistics Manager Bjørn-Tore Svendsen.
Always looking to optimize
Together with Kenneth Hofstedt, Head of the Technical Department, and Warehouse Manager Kjetil Sundland Henriksen, he gives us a solid insight into the company's logistics system.
“We have a culture where we constantly strive to optimize, and we enjoy visiting other logistics-intensive companies and keeping up to date with everything that is happening in the field of logistics automation. In this context, we feel that ITO PallPack is a constructive and useful discussion partner and supplier for us,” says Bjørn-Tore Svendsen.
Solution
New conveyors and packaging solutions from Savoye, delivered in collaboration with ITO PallPack.
The orders come from Autostore and are packed here on the mezzanine floor. Last year's investments also included ITO tracks down to the floor below.
Each box is customized according to its contents
Komplett in Norway (Sandefjord) invested early on in Autostore systems from Element Logic and has conveyors, lifts, sorting facilities, waste management, and a range of other solutions from ITO PallPack. Kenneth Hofstedt explains what happens in the three new Savoye machines. They are identical, but configured for each box format:
"Each box comes with contents from the packing stations on the floor above, from conveyor belts straight into the packing machine. There is a five-step process in each machine, where first the height of the contents is measured, then the edges of the box are cut down, the sides are perforated, the flaps are folded in, and finally the lid is glued on, before completely closed boxes are transported on for labeling, sorting, and dispatch," says Kenneth Hofstedt.
The box quality has been chosen with the aim of ensuring good transport. That is, without damage and unnecessary returns, and the three standard sizes have been chosen based on the composition of orders from the seven online stores operated by the Komplett Group. Previously, the boxes were taped manually and around 10 different box sizes were used.
“We are fairly self-sufficient and have our own spare parts warehouse here in the technical department. It is important for us to have as much knowledge as possible about our own technology, and we were given a thorough walkthrough of the machines when we visited Savoye in France together with ITO,” says Kenneth Hofstedt.
Result
More sustainable transport and better ergonomics for employees. Shipping volume reduced by the equivalent of one container per day.
The Savoye machine is fed with lids and finished cartons with glued lids come out. The quality of the cardboard is carefully selected to ensure that the goods arrive without damage during transport.
Daily deliveries throughout Scandinavia
Komplett Group is one of the Nordic region's leading e-retailers, with daily deliveries throughout Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. Warehouse manager Kjetil Sundland Henriksen feels that both customers and employees are increasingly concerned about sustainability.
"Our new packaging solutions are a win-win, where we both reduce our carbon footprint and improve delivery times. In addition, it improves ergonomics for employees who stack boxes on pallets. Saving one container every day is undoubtedly important for the environment, as is the amount of plastic, where we expect to save 17 tons per year," says Kjetil Sundland Henriksen.
“One less container each day undoubtedly has an impact on our carbon footprint.”
ITO – a solution-oriented partner
Bjørn-Tore Svendsen is very pleased with the investments.
"It is part of the corporate culture here at Komplett that we are constantly looking for new solutions for automation and savings, both for the environment and for the company. In this case, several departments have contributed, and the result has been as we planned. So we definitely like to manage the processes ourselves, while of course relying on good technology partners. In this regard, ITO PallPack has proven to be a solution-oriented partner for several years. We have good ways of working together, both on projects that have been completed and those that have been put on hold. Culturally, we are a good match for each other, with open dialogue always encouraged. And, not least, they have skilled project managers who ensure good execution, concludes Bjørn-Tore Svendsen.
The logistics department at Komplett works closely with ITO PallPack and other suppliers. Pictured here are Kenneth Hofstedt, Kjetil Sundland Henriksen, and Bjørn-Tore Svendsen.
French company Savoye develops and manufactures advanced packaging machines. ITO PallPack represents Savoye in Sweden and Norway.