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Circular logistics carriers as answer to efficiency and sustainability
Working more efficiently, keeping costs under control and operating more sustainably at the same time: these are no longer separate ambitions, but hard requirements in warehouses and logistics environments. And in that optimization, according to Eddy van Sas, responsible for the Dutch market at Gamma-Wopla and Smart-Flow, one element is often underestimated: the logistics carrier. In other words, the crates, pallets and totes in which goods move through the supply chain.
“Efficiency and sustainability are often looked for in processes and technology, while a significant part of the profit lies in something very fundamental: how a company moves its goods,” states van Sas. “That's precisely where reusable, circular all-round solutions like ours make the difference: they last longer, reduce waste and at the same time reduce overall logistics costs.”
One of the biggest shifts in the market, according to van Sas, is the transition from disposable packaging to reusable systems. Whereas cardboard boxes are often used only once, plastic crates and pallets offer a much longer life. “A cardboard box is opened, cut up and thrown away. That's one rotation. Our bins last hundreds of rotations. Then the whole cost structure changes.”
By the way, that shift not only impacts costs, but also waste streams and supply chain organization. In closed logistics chains - with regular customers and return flows - the potential of reusable carriers is maximized. “Customers simply take them back with them on the next delivery. That makes the system both circular and practical.”
Efficiency is not only in longevity, but also in transportation. Collapsible systems such as sleeve packs play a key role in this. “Empty transport is often pure inefficiency. With foldable solutions, you can carry up to 10 times more volume in the same space.”
That translates directly into fewer transport movements, lower costs and a smaller carbon footprint. “You not only save on logistics, but also on CO2 emissions. This puts you in a stronger position as a company in tenders and customer demands that increasingly emphasize this.”
Within the product range, different material streams are deliberately chosen, depending on the application. For the food sector, new - or ‘virgin’ - material is used to meet strict hygiene and certification standards.
At the same time, we maximize our use of recyclate for other applications. “Broken containers we take back, grind and reprocess. That way the raw material stays in the chain.” This dual approach - food-safe where necessary, circular where possible - is essential to meeting diverse customer demands, according to van Sas.
What is striking is how strongly product development is driven by specific industry needs. “There is a customized crate for every industry today. This ranges from dimensions to carrying capacity and functionality. And that is the result of our focused R&D department and close cooperation with our customers.”
New developments follow this seamlessly. For example, the company developed a lightweight plastic alternative to the classic wooden europallet. “Wood has disadvantages: it gets wet, heavier and can mold. Plastic remains stable and is more hygienic. Moreover, it is better suited for automated environments.”
Gaps are also being filled within the existing range, for example with intermediate variations in load capacity. “Not every application requires a heavy or ultra-light solution. That nuance makes all the difference in practice.”
The advance of automated warehouses places additional demands on logistics carriers. Gamma-Wopla is responding to this with specific bins suitable for automation, for example with integrated scanning capabilities. “Still, it remains a complex market,” van Sas nuances. “Automation requires large investments and long-term planning. Many companies are still in a transition phase.”
Moreover, decisions around automation are often made early on in new construction projects. “If you are not involved in this from the beginning, you are often too late. This is why we deliberately position ourselves as a partner who thinks along with our customers early in the process, and not merely as a supplier.”
What becomes clear from the conversation with van Sas is that logistics carriers are much more than a commodity. They play a strategic role in cost control, sustainability and operational efficiency. “Our products may seem simple,” he says, “but there is an enormous amount of thinking behind them. And that is precisely where the added value lies: developing solutions that really work in practice.”
With a combination of circular materials, thoughtful product development and attention to logistics optimization, the company is positioning itself as a partner in the broader supply chain challenges facing companies today. Or as Eddy van Sas succinctly sums it up, “If you do it right, nothing sticks to the bow.”
