Future-Proofing the Supermarket Cold Chain for Sustainability

The cold chain logistics sector is at a crossroads, facing increased criticism about sustainability practices in a rapidly growing market. A leading supermarket chain in The Netherlands, known for its innovative approach, was no exception. The supermarket faced challenges common to the industry—legal compliance, efficiency optimization, and the elimination of dry ice in freezing processes. VebaBox has a mission to revolutionize the cold chain by presenting sustainable and efficient logistics solutions that seamlessly align with the retailer's strategic ambitions and operational practices .

Challenges our customers faced:

The supermarket required a robust solution that ensured online deliveries At the right temperature knowing that on warm days it is difficult to meet the legal standards.

With the rise in order volume and physical constraints, the supermarket needed to increase the fill rate per crate/box from 60% to a higher percentage, simultaneously driving down handling costs per order.

The existing solutions fell short due to the inability to meet temperature requirements, inappropriate sizing, problematic closures, and handling weight, not to mention the occupational health and safety issues presented by the use of dry ice. The final solution needed to work with the retailer's online strategy and the intention of building a mechanized fulfillment center.

Market Context:

The cold chain market is expanding, with sustainability and efficiency becoming the wake-up call of the industry. The shift towards eco-friendly logistics solutions is not just driven by regulatory changes but also by a consumer base that has an increasing variety of demands and is increasingly conscious of environmental impacts. As a result, the cold chain sector is innovating at high speed to meet these new demands.

To meet these challenges, VebaBox deployed its LogiBox solution, engineered to maintain the freshness of perishable goods for over 20 hours, with a preparation time of one day for the cooling elements , this resulted in savings in energy costs by reducing the freeze time of the elements. This solution brought substantial handling savings in areas like lid sealing, freezing, and return packaging. Therefore, it results in a potential cost saving of 20% per route. LogiBox was integrated seamlessly into the existing process, requiring only a reassessment of the logistics involved in preparing the cooling elements.

The partnership between VebaBox and the leading supermarket chain exemplifies the transformative impact of innovative cold chain solutions. The successful integration of LogiBox has not only enhanced the supermarket's operational efficiency but also supported its commitment to sustainability. This case study shows how, by leveraging advanced logistics technologies, retailers can achieve significant environmental and economic gains, setting new benchmarks for the industry.

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