Introduction
Earlier this year, Deltarack embarked on a significant partnership with Van Marcke, a renowned company with over 70 stores across Belgium, specializing in sanitary ware, heating solutions, and sustainable living. Van Marcke approached Deltarack to develop a safe and efficient transport solution for fragile sheet materials such as glass shower screens and wall coverings. The primary goal was to create a secure transportation system between Van Marcke’s central distribution center (DC) and their various retail outlets, addressing the increasing damage and breakage issues associated with the growing size of these materials.
Challenges Faced
Van Marcke’s central challenge was the transportation of increasingly larger and more fragile sheet materials. The conventional methods were no longer sufficient, resulting in frequent breakages and damages during transit. To tackle this, a comprehensive project was initiated with Van Marcke to determine the most optimal way to transport these materials between their central warehouse and the stores.
Solution Development
After thorough analysis and collaboration, Deltarack and Van Marcke co-developed a customized version of the SR80 transport rack. This bespoke solution needed to meet several critical requirements:
1. Robustness: The racks had to be sturdy enough to handle the weight and fragility of the large glass panels and other sheet materials.
2. Ease of Handling: They needed to be easily maneuverable by both forklifts and pallet jacks to facilitate smooth loading and unloading processes.
3. Ergonomic Design: The racks had to allow for easy lifting and securing of large boxes, which led to the inclusion of specially designed base plates with rounded corners to prevent damage to cardboard packaging.
4. Traceability: Each rack was numbered for clear identification, ensuring traceability of each unit between the DC and the retail outlets.
5. Branding: Custom logos were printed on each rack for clear association with Van Marcke.
Implementation and Benefits
Van Marcke adopted over 120 of these custom SR80 transport racks, establishing an efficient rotational system between their central DC and the retail outlets. This system ensured that a rack loaded with new products could be delivered while an empty rack was returned to the DC. This seamless rotation significantly reduced downtime and improved the overall efficiency of their logistics operations.
Results and Impact
The collaboration resulted in several tangible benefits:
• Reduced Damage: The robust and ergonomic design of the SR80 racks led to a significant reduction in the breakage and damage of fragile materials during transit.
• Improved Efficiency: The traceability and easy handling features of the racks streamlined the transportation process, saving time and reducing labor costs.
• Enhanced Brand Presence: The custom branding on the racks reinforced Van Marcke’s commitment to quality and attention to detail in their logistics operations.
Conclusion
The partnership between Deltarack and Van Marcke showcases a successful collaboration in developing a tailored solution to address specific logistical challenges. By leveraging Deltarack’s expertise in transport racks, Van Marcke was able to enhance the safety, efficiency, and reliability of their transportation system, ultimately contributing to better service delivery and customer satisfaction.
For more information on how Deltarack can provide customized transport solutions for your business, visit our website at deltarack.com.