How DACHSER digitises its retail boxes with software from Logistikbude

Smart solution for award-winning load carriers: To accurately track its specially developed retail boxes in various designs and sizes, logistics service provider DACHSER uses the web-based software solution from Logistikbude. All information on the whereabouts of the load carriers is consolidated in the application's live cockpit, which significantly simplifies monitoring and control in the general cargo network. This benefits both employees and customers.

The international logistics service provider DACHSER, headquartered in Kempten, is one of the best-known logistics companies in the industry. With 433 locations worldwide and around 37,000 employees, the logistics expert offers numerous services in the areas of transport logistics and warehousing, as well as a wide range of individual services for customers from various industries through DACHSER Air & Sea Logistics and DACHSER Road Logistics. With DACHSER Fashion Logistics, the company meets the high demands of the fashion industry – with flexible fashion fulfilment and standardised processes that ensure a smooth supply chain.

The Retail Box: Innovative reusable system for sustainable transport

This is based on reusable load carriers such as pallets, racks, and containers: they enable efficient and sustainable transport processes and are therefore a central component of the supply chain. DACHSER alone moves over 70 million of them every year.

DACHSER has recently added another type of load carrier to its existing portfolio of Euro pallets, EPAL mesh boxes, roll containers, and many more: the Retail Box, developed in-house. Together with the global market leader for shopping and parcel trolleys, the logistics provider has designed the new load carrier to ensure the safe transport of fashion, lifestyle, and cosmetic items. The Retail Box is now also used for the transport of other sensitive and high-value goods, for example from the electronics sector. It is a robust, lockable roll container that has been developed in two sizes – both in Euro pallet and half-pallet dimensions. The innovative reusable system for general cargo logistics replaces the disposable transport packaging previously used in the industry. For this, DACHSER was awarded the German Packaging Prize 2025 by the German Packaging Institute e. V. in the Logistics & Material Flow category in GOLD.

Real-time tracking: DACHSER relies on proven partner Logistikbude

DACHSER attaches great importance to the end-to-end traceability of its load carriers – on the one hand, to respond flexibly to possible delivery delays due to traffic jams or route changes and to guarantee customers transparency regarding their goods – and on the other hand, to ensure that each of the expensive reusable containers remains in the value-added cycle. [JS1.1]For this reason, the company has been working with Logistikbude since March 2023. Their software solution enables the logistics provider to efficiently manage and track all retail boxes in real time.

The young company digitises and automates the management of pallets, mesh boxes, racks and all other load carriers. Its vision is to make all load carriers in circulation worldwide digitally controllable, thereby revolutionising their management. The logistics booth thus contributes precisely to DACHSER's desired goal: it makes the location, condition, and status of load carriers visible at all times. Uwe Riechel, Department Head at DACHSER Fashion Logistics, explains:

‘Following the development of the Retail Box, we introduced the logistics hut system to enable transparent tracking of our new, high-quality load carriers.’

The two companies have known each other for some time – among other things, through their joint research work with Fraunhofer IML.

‘Pragmatic and rapid implementation was particularly important to us in this project. Since we already know Logistikbude as a reliable partner and the software solution perfectly meets our requirements, it made sense to rely on the start-up's expertise for this project as well,’ adds Riechel.

After a brief test phase, the tool was implemented within a few months, as even the basic version of the solution met DACHSER's requirements and required only minimal adjustments.

Web-based solution creates centralised and efficient processes in load carrier management

Previously, load carrier management for retail boxes was fragmented: important information was scattered across different systems, which made employees' daily work more difficult. Processes such as stock reconciliation were complex and time-consuming. The newly implemented software solution from Logistikbude, on the other hand, brings together all information on retail boxes in the Live Cockpit, making load carrier management much easier.

‘With the application's web-based dashboard, we can track where our roll containers are at any time – and also how long they have been there,’ explains Riechel.

Instead of having to manually compile information and data from different systems, Logistikbude collects this data automatically. This has significantly reduced the administrative workload, while processes have become simpler and, above all, more transparent - to the benefit of the DACHSER branches and customers they serve. The latter benefit from clear account statements that accurately record the exchange processes for load carriers. For DACHSER employees, this means fewer sources of error and more time to concentrate on their core tasks.

‘Efficient load carrier management was a decisive step for us in streamlining our logistics processes and reducing the workload for our employees in their day-to-day work,’ Riechel summarises.

The information that converges in the central live cockpit of the logistics hub is collected and transmitted by NB-IoT trackers. These trackers are attached to the retail boxes and send their status and current location via the mobile network. This provides both shipment data and geometric data in real time. It is then processed in the live cockpit and made available to users. This is supplemented by live scan information collected by DACHSER drivers using MDE scanners. Together, these two data sources provide the basis for precise control of the boxes.

‘All important information can be accessed at any time – regardless of location and by all administrative staff,’ says Riechel.

Technological expertise meets pragmatic cooperation

For Riechel, the structured yet straightforward collaboration was crucial to the successful implementation of this extraordinary project.

‘Logistikbude impressed us not only with its extensive technological expertise and many years of experience in packaging management, but also with its professional, cooperative approach,’ says Riechel.

The intensive support provided by Logistikbude throughout all phases of the project was particularly important for the logistics service provider in order to jointly develop a customised solution that suits DACHSER, the retail boxes, and the needs of employees. But the project was also a special experience for the start-up, explains Michael Koscharnyj, co-founder and COO of Logistikbude:

‘Both sides worked closely together, contributed their expertise and were also able to gain valuable insights for the future – a real win for all of us.’