The dynamic world of load carriers: challenges and opportunities

Our Senior Logistics and Factory Planner and load carrier development expert Robin Weigand sheds light for us on the increasing requirements in load carrier development. In addition to the challenges and the resulting opportunities, he also shows us how LOGSOL supports its customers in implementing sustainable solutions.

Why are load carriers so important in modern supply chains?

Load carriers are much more than just a means to an end. They are the backbone of every supply chain. Without them, components couldn’t be transported safely and efficiently from one production stage to the next. Today, they have to be more flexible, more robust, and more sustainable, because production processes are becoming increasingly complex and technology is developing rapidly.

What are the biggest challenges in the development of load carriers?

There are a some challenges, but the greatest ones are the constantly changing market conditions and unpredictable sales forecasts. This quickly leads to bottlenecks or too much inventory. It gets really difficult when the product design is changed shortly before the end, sometimes even right before the design freeze. Such last-minute changes make it difficult to adapt load carriers in time and put them to series production.

What role do technological developments play in component construction?

A big one! New processes such as double door rings in vehicle construction or large cast parts often have complex shapes and are significantly heavier. This means that the load carriers must be both flexible and robust in order to meet these requirements. Flexibility is the be-all and end-all here, so that the load carriers can be easily adapted to different components.

How do legal regulations affect load carrier development?

In Germany, the Packaging Act (VerpackG) obliges companies to document, reuse, and recycle their packaging. The materials used, such as glass or plastics, must be recorded precisely, especially in the B2B sector. The focus is on sustainability.
Many companies optimize packing density to reduce transport costs and at the same time reduce their ecological footprint. The trend is moving away from specialized to universal load carriers, which are more flexible and cost-effective.

What do you see as the most important solutions for the future of load carriers?

Today, sustainability is no longer a “nice-to-have”, but an absolute “must-have”. Some companies are already using special load carriers made of wood, which are environmentally friendly and suitable for series production. These alternatives will play a major role in the future.

How does LOGSOL support its customers in this area?

We do everything we can to overcome the challenges in load carrier development. Our aim is to find the best solutions for our customers, combining sustainability with cost effectiveness. We help customers to comply with legal requirements and improve their internal processes at the same time. It is particularly important to us to conserve resources and minimize our impact on the environment.

To conclude: Is there a key to success in the dynamic world of load carriers?

Flexibility, sustainability, and close cooperation with all parties involved. Companies that integrate these things into their processes will not only meet the increasing requirements, but will also be more successful in the long term.