Pallets, containers, roll containers-your must-have in the e-commerce industry

Pallets, containers, roll containers-your must-have in the e-commerce industry

The UK e-commerce market is among the top 5 in the world alongside countries such as China, United States of America, Japan and Germany. This shows the growth of this sector and the importance the having of the correct logistics products to keep your supply chain and service working smoothly.

The e-commerce industry is undoubtedly an increasingly popular development direction. With the development of e-commerce around the world, Internet companies face many challenges in the supply chain to meet the expectations of online shoppers.

The Customer Is King ...and the race against time

In order for customers to trust the brand, the order should be completed as soon as possible in the same condition and quality as guaranteed by stationary stores. Thanks to fast delivery without any damage, the customer can get used to regularly placing orders in a given online store. Online stores are also available 24 hours a day, which gives the availability of placing orders at anytime, but also a challenge in the form of implementation as soon as possible."

Logistics challenges for the e-commerce industry

    • Increase in the daily number of packages and pallet shipments
    • Storage and assembly of products
    • The need for extended service time
    • The requirement to prepare the package for shipment on the day of the order - the need for smooth resource management
    • Increased automation and efficiency control
    • Ergonomic transport to the customer

 

Implementation of online orders in stock

 

Wooden and plastic pallets - the way from product to warehouse

The intensive development of e-commerce is a big challenge for transport and logistics. An efficient supply chain is needed to control the costs and flows of incoming and outgoing goods. E-business owners and suppliers are overwhelmed by the complex logistics process involved. Consumers order more often, in smaller quantities, and expect that their purchases will be delivered the next day. In addition, e-commerce margins are small.

To survive, every step in the supply chain needs to be thought out and as efficient as possible. That is why many e-commerce platforms, suppliers and package couriers currently use the possibility of pallet circulation, which enables efficient pallet management. Especially for euro wooden pallets and plastic pallets. In the pallet cycle, products are not shipped on disposable pallets, but on high-quality durable pallets.

Mobile storage racks - a way for flexible storage

In the e-commerce industry, a flexible and modular warehouse system is essential, so you can quickly prepare orders for transport. With mobile warehouse racks, you can achieve a fast order processing time, which offers significant benefits such as shorter payback times and high flexibility. Rotom provides post pallet mobile storage racks for storing products that can be easily adapted to seasons, promotions and changing customer needs. Many companies that cooperate with us in the rental of mobile storage racks during periods of increased demand have seen this. Read about it in "How do mobile storage racks improve warehouse efficiency".

Packages for shipment stacked on mobile storage racks

Distribution containers and roll containers - order picking

When complementing goods, it is essential to use distribution containers that are easy to use or work well with conveyors and automatic feeders. Plastic containers with a 600x400 mm lid are a very popular product for product distribution. Made of high quality polypropylene (PP), it effectively protects goods against damage. We have a wide selection of plastic containers that will perfectly fit into your logistics chain, for example, a 600x400 mm bale arm container enables safe transport of products, and gives the possibility of stacking or being nested.

 

Plastic containers for distribution are used to pick up the products

Protecting products to get to the customer intact is a priority. This is especially important in the online grocery industry, where the courier delivers food directly to the customer, so the container must be ergonomic. Distribution containers with a trapezoidal profile and dimensions of 600x400 mm, which can be nested and transported on top of each other, work great in this case. Nest distribution containers are made of solid plastic and are perfect for packaging products in the warehouse. What's more, they save costs in return transport (85% less loading space) because this type of containers fits into one another.

Plastic distribution containers are far greater than cardboard packaging, as they protect against spills and product crushing. Plastic containers can also be placed in the stack and not damaged under their weight, which can unfortunately happen with cardboard packaging.

Wire trolleys at every stage of storage

In many warehouses, employees transport the ordered products in special order picking trolleys. They enable optimal routing in the warehouse enabling the processing of several orders at the same time. Regardless of whether you are carrying out planned orders or returns, the goods must be checked on delivery and then packed immediately. When completing the order, wire containers on wheels in which plastic containers with goods or boxes are placed are extremely useful. Roll containers optimize the distribution of goods and ensure the correct order of appearance of containers at picking stations for the optimal implementation of customer orders.

Cartons that will go to customers are fully automatically loaded into specially prepared mesh trolleys. In addition, the product can be secured, for example, by placing it in an anti-theft roll container. The fully enclosed mesh trolleys have a closed construction and can be secured against theft with a padlock.

In addition to the storage function, the roll container can be used as a collecting container for packaging waste, such as cartons, films and wrapping paper. We have a wide selection of mesh trolleys, e.g. with a folding front gate for access.

The work of wire trolleys facilitates work in the e-commerce industry

Shipping and transport

Ultimately, wire rolling containers with products are inserted into delivery vans. The ordered goods are transported from the central warehouse to the selected department, where they are delivered for pickup by the customer. Most often, the customer receives disposable containers, such as cardboard boxes. The exception is the food industry — then the companies have their own distribution containers that return to the warehouse.

Fast loading and unloading of trucks are done mainly thanks to wire roll cages, which are inserted into the loading zone completely loaded. This type of transport is ideal for furniture stores, supermarkets, electronics stores and clothing companies. In our range you will find many roll cage containers in different versions, which can be full security, 2 or 3 sided with the possibility of nesting, when they are empty or to be connected in a trolley with tugs depending on requirements.

There are many solutions regarding packaging in supply chains, which is why the above-mentioned products do not cover all possibilities. The issue of choosing the right solutions depends on the warehouse infrastructure and the type of assortment supported. If due to limited investment possibilities you cannot buy new packaging, you can rent them from us on favourable terms.

Rotom serves many large contractors in the rental and maintenance of packaging. If you would like to find out how your e-commerce business can benefit from buying or renting logistics products, please contact us.