[DE] Customer references: Best practice

With a passion for homemade items and the colour pink, the family label “Klunkerstern” took the almost classic route: with the birth of her daughters, Bianca Schuller began to “market” her mother’s handicrafts and sewing work under this label. Starting with sewing and handicrafts for friends and acquaintances and then taking part in Christmas markets and trade fairs, the whole thing took off. Soon the daughters were also big enough to try their hand at the creative lab with enthusiasm and their own ideas. This resulted in key rings, bags, cushions, gym bags, bookmarks, fabric garlands, school bags and, above all, jewellery.

So much enthusiasm, so many ideas

And the “grown-ups” were quite astonished, because the passion for home-made items didn’t diminish, but grew and grew: Not only the daughters, but also their friends and their friends’ friends were extremely creative when it came to designing their own jewellery. The more glitter, the better! This ultimately inspired Klunkerstern to create a new line of business: the key to success was not the finished product, but the joy of making it yourself.

Favourite courses for young and old

The courses are very popular. With high-quality materials tailored to the wishes of the course participants, the favourite courses are now even offered at various course locations. The offer includes materials, tools and a dedicated workstation for each participant. As demand has grown, so has the team: “Klunker fairies” are now on the road nationwide in the name of Klunkerstern at children’s birthday parties, girls’ evenings, hen parties, weddings and company parties. And they are getting more and more feedback:

“Oooch, over already? Can we take some of the craft materials home with us?” (gdv)

And this question led Klunkerstern to another, actually astonishing discovery: the range of high-quality, slightly more individual DIY craft kits on the market was… manageable.

Klunkerdose – jewellery making set for the home

With the idea of the Klunkerdose, Klunkerstern meets the demand for beautiful and high-quality jewellery craft kits – and this product was ultimately also extremely helpful during the lockdown. Because while the courses had to be suspended, of course, the jewellery boxes, which were also presented at the Trendset in Munich, an international trade fair for lifestyle, could still be sent out.

New demand for self-sewn items

In addition, the demand for customised – and above all child-friendly – mouth-nose masks arose virtually overnight. All the materials and requirements were available and Klunkerstern began designing and producing child-friendly masks as soon as the mask requirement was introduced. This was supported by the fact that the local daily newspaper naturally also picked up on the topic and mentioned the small family label. The subsequent flood of orders via all channels such as telephone, webshop, Facebook and Instagram was both overwhelming and challenging for Klunkerstern.

Logistics and jewellery shipping: Overnight

Bianca Schuller remembered RAJA when she was looking for the packaging and shipping materials she needed quickly and urgently to be able to dispatch the orders. She had fond memories of the company from a visit to Fachpack, not least because of a special USP: our packaging silk and our paper carrier bags in the company colours: bright pink

Great conditions and personal contact at RAJA

With PINK, we naturally had our foot in the door at Klunkerstern. The rest was done by a visit from one of our sales representatives, who impressed us with good tips on packing and shipping, as well as friendly advice on jewellery shipping and good conditions. We had great contact with RAJA right from the start – both at the trade fair and on the phone and later in person when the sales representative visited us.

It’s only good when it sparkles!

Klunkerstern is manoeuvring its way through the coronavirus era by jumping into the online business and launching face masks at the right time. RAJA is delighted to be able to support this fun-loving company with various packaging products, from carrier bags and tissue paper to boxes for shipping jewellery. And we are thrilled that we were able to convince them with our “Pink Collection”.

You can find out more about the company and get some ideas for Christmas gifts at https://klunkerstern.de.

And as part of our interview series “Ça va? RAJA asks…”, we of course also asked Bianca Schuller to give us an insight into the colourful world of Klunkerstern and talk to her about the impact of coronavirus on the business. Have fun watching! The complete interview, here: Klunkerstern in the video

Tradition and craftsmanship

Wooden toys from the Erzgebirge are like … cheese from Holland. But what is this tradition based on? Toy production began there around 1750, when ore mining, which was the main source of income for the population, was no longer a source of income. The raw material that was available in abundance alongside the ore was wood. And so whole families began to utilise this raw material.

Finally, in 1887, Carl Herrman Rülke also founded the family business, which is now being run with great success by the fifth generation: Rülke GmbH.

Wooden toys and wood technology

The company’s beginnings were traditionally in the manufacture of wooden toys. In the 1990s, however, the company was faced with increasing competition from the Far East, particularly in the toy sector. A new market was quickly found in furniture production: The supply of furniture components, such as wooden armrests for various pieces of furniture, now accounts for over 90% of turnover.

Corona – and then?

This “two-pronged approach” and good crisis management contributed significantly to the fact that Rülke GmbH was relatively unaffected by the effects of the coronavirus crisis. Even in “normal business years”, the demand for wooden toys decreases in the early summer months – and non-time-critical, longer-term orders in the furniture sector are then processed. These orders (among other things, Rülke GmbH equips Deutsche Bahn with wooden armrests) are therefore not subject to short-term fluctuations and ensured that work could continue throughout 2020.

But wooden toys also have “their time”: in order to be able to meet the annually increasing demand in time for Christmas, pre-production is of course also carried out here. From doll’s houses to play furniture, doll’s house accessories and educational toys “Made in Saxony” are available in the warehouse and are dispatched from there to specialist toy retailers throughout Germany within a few days.

Rülke favours the combination of wood and plastic

Rülke GmbH also keeps up with the times when it comes to materials. In addition to the unbeatable advantages of wood as a material, it was also clear that certain product properties and functions can only be achieved with plastic. The company now favours the combination of both materials and makes use of the inherent advantages of each. The plastic required for this was initially bought in, but for around 3 years now, the plastic has also been produced in-house.

Sustainability and reliability

The two raw materials, wood and plastic, come from “on the doorstep”, so to speak. There are no long delivery routes. More and more in demand, as Mr Rülke also senses. This is not only a question of faster responsiveness and flexibility, but also of sustainability. So it is only natural that Rülke GmbH also relies on partners who share these values when it comes to packaging and shipping materials.

“Among other things, the coronavirus crisis has meant that short delivery routes and regional production have regained importance. We are able to deliver within 3-4 weeks – and thus offer a flexibility and reliability that only regionally based companies can provide.”

Björn Rülke, Rülke GmbH

More time for play

And there is another development that may benefit Rülke GmbH’s business: Significantly more time at home and a shift of leisure time and play into the home is leading to an increased demand for “classic” games: Board games, but also role-playing games such as the game with the (wooden) doll’s house are becoming popular again. Perhaps because mums and dads are now also playing more and rediscovering the value of educational, perhaps even nostalgic toys?

An interview with Rülke GmbH

Mr Rülke gives us more insights into the company as part of our interview series “Ca va? RAJA asks…”: Rülke GmbH in video.

Workshops and events

Painting ceramics at Zink und Zauber is actually a very sociable event. Ever since Kathrin founded her ceramics workshop in 2010, she has enjoyed bringing this form of creativity to other people. In her workshops, the defensive “I can’t do that!” almost always gives way to an astonished self-confidence, as if captured in stone. In addition to the classic workshops, the now three artists Kathrin, Antonella and Suzana accompany stag parties, children’s birthday parties and company events. In addition to the actual creative process, the three draw their joy from ceramics.

Corona requires a rethink

In March 2020, the courses came to an end for the time being: lockdown. Zink und Zauber responded to the new conditions by expanding its website into a web shop and introducing the “Keramik2go” concept:

“Change sometimes hurts….I’m very happy to admit that. But sometimes they are also an opportunity for NEW things. During the lockdown, we decided to launch a small, fine online shop. Here you can now buy products made by us. In addition, we are now shipping ceramic painting fun for the home throughout Germany with our Keramik2go box.” Kathrin Buhl-Bekeret, zinc and magic

Ceramics2Go

In fact, the homepage offers a selection of different “DIY arrangements” for self-colouring at home. Zink und Zauber sends the ordered ceramic blanks, the required material and a lovingly designed explanation and instructions to the customer. The delicate goods then have to be sent several more times before the finished product is ready: The painted blank is sent back to Zink und Zauber for firing and glazing and finally the finished product is returned to the customer – ready to use and personalised.

Good and safe shipping

It goes without saying that the shipping carton must be reliable. It is more than annoying if the box containing the blanks is damaged during transport. And it would be a real disaster if the finished, fired cups, plates or bowls, designed with passion, arrived at the customer as broken pieces. One of the main challenges was therefore: break-proof packaging! RAJA assists with this logistical act and supplies the right packaging material to ensure that the treasures arrive intact at the customer’s premises.

A little more inspiration

In the blog, Zink und Zauber combines three passions: ceramics, good food and an eye for great photography It’s always great to see what can happen when someone loves what they do! An interview with Zink und Zauber: As part of our interview series “Ca va? RAJA asks…”, Mrs Buhl-Bereket told us how things are going at Zink und Zauber and what the future holds: Zink und Zauber in video

On the evening of 4 November, the ceremony to announce the winners of Customer Service of the Year 2021 did not take place in Frankfurt am Main as planned, but as a virtual live event due to the coronavirus pandemic. The employees of RAJA did not miss the opportunity to follow the award ceremony together in a small setting and yet at a distance.

They were delighted when RAJA emerged as the winner in the Office Supplies & Business Equipment category. This puts RAJA in the company of companies such as Michelin, robot, Weltbild and IONOS by 1&1, whose outstanding commitment to customer satisfaction was also honoured.

The Customer Service of the Year award is an independent event in the field of customer service. The award ceremony was organised for the first time in Germany by Armonia Deutschland GmbH. Previously, the Customer Service of the Year awards were only organised in France, Spain, England, Morocco and Tunisia. It should be noted that RAJA France and RAJA Spain have also already won awards.

What was assessed?

During the 10-week evaluation phase, 225 mystery test enquiries were carried out at each company, spread across telephone, email, webshop, chat and social media channels. The evaluation was based on up to 15 criteria, ranging from the waiting time, politeness and competence of the advisors to the tone used in the written answers.

RAJA scored particularly well in the areas of telephone enquiries, internet navigation and social media. There are still small points for improvement in the areas of e-mail and chat communication. According to Christina Gauland, Head of the Customer Service Centre, these are being tackled successively, as the aim is to offer customers the best possible shopping experience across all channels.

“We keep our promises” became the internal motto for the evaluation phase, because that is exactly what RAJA is all about. Even during Corona, RAJA was able to guarantee its customers full availability and advisory expertise and deliver the goods in 24/48, thanks to long-standing partnerships with suppliers.

SMP-WerbeService finds selection and advice at RAJA

Every day, two full postal lorries leave the SMP-WerbeService premises – with a good 64 pallets of mail and an additional 200-300 individual parcels of various shapes and sizes. They are not far from the motorway: the full-service provider for direct advertising and mailing has thought through the location close to the motorway just as well as the comprehensive range of services offered by SMP-WerbeService GmbH.

Customer proximity in all areas

SMP-WerbeService GmbH, based in Irxleben near Magdeburg, has been active on the market since July 1990 and has steadily expanded its range of services since then. As a medium-sized company, SMP can react quickly to customer enquiries and offer personalised solutions. Known as one of the most efficient lettershops on the German market, SMP offers its customers an all-round carefree package:

• At SMP, you are individually looked after by a fixed contact person.
• Printing a wide variety of print materials (whether via digital, offset or laser printing, whether with inkjet lettering or even handwritten personalisation) is no problem.
• Mailings can be produced, enveloped and delivered by post in the in-house lettershop according to customer requirements.
• The well-secured data processing department enables the postage-optimised dispatch of mailings, but also offers data entry and processing, duplicate matching or programming work.
• Warehousing rounds off the service. You save storage space because SMP offers you the option of storing your advertising materials off-site and packaging, addressing and dispatching them as required. Whether mailings, catalogue requests, sample or premium mailings, SMP does it all.

Customers from all sectors appreciate the direct dialogue

Customers from various industries such as the tourism and automotive sectors, cosmetics manufacturers, health insurance companies, advertising agencies and publishers appreciate the professional and flexible cooperation. However, the company’s motivated employees also contribute to its success. One of them is Inga Schuck. She has been working in sales for many years and enjoys entering into direct dialogue with her customers every day. “Quality made in Irxleben” is the company’s flagship, she says. SMP endeavours to offer its customers exactly the services they need for their own success.

Customer and supplier in dialogue

And that’s exactly how we think at RAJA. We are constantly working on expanding our product range and continuously improving our services. Perhaps that is why we have been the packaging supplier at SMP-WerbeService’s side for over 14 years.

According to Inga Schuck, what SMP appreciates about working with RAJA is the fixed contact person who simply knows what they are talking about and knows SMP’s business. “That saves time,” she says. The fast enquiry processing and delivery gives SMP the opportunity to respond to new customer orders at short notice. She also praises the good professional telephone advice provided by our trained customer advisors, who are based at the RAJA headquarters in Ettlingen, not just anywhere.

Comprehensive range and flexible solutions

SMP benefits from RAJA’s wide range of products for its varied mail and goods shipments and uses a wide variety of envelopes, book packaging and flat cartons. In the area of warehousing, items of various sizes have to be stored and later picked and dispatched. This is where RAJA’s variety of cartons, such as height-adjustable cartons, comes into its own. “Our favourite: the Varia Standard (PDT01532) flash-bottom erecting cart on, because it allows us to react flexibly to the filling quantity without having to store too many different carton sizes,” says Schuck.

If you want to know what paradise for hobby tailors and individual clothing labels looks like, then a visit to the Spoonflower online shop is worthwhile. Here you will find everything a creative heart desires. First and foremost: plenty of inspiration. The range includes no less than 750,000 different designs – and these are by no means simple mass-produced goods.

The spectrum ranges from small foxes for children’s clothing to abstract floral motifs. Spoonflower prints these on over 20 different fabrics, wallpapers and wrapping paper as required. Especially now, in the run-up to Christmas, or even before Easter, the printer at Spoonflower is running hot and fulfils customer requests on material sizes ranging from 20 x 20 centimetres to several metres. Creativity paired with flexibility: at least three good reasons why the market newcomer based in the cult neighbourhood of Neukölln is growing so rapidly. Short distances do the rest: Production, dispatch and administration work next door to each other. There is a real start-up atmosphere.

Creative platform with a global community

The concept is not entirely new, but an import from overseas: behind the Berlin branch is a very successful US parent company from Durham, North Carolina. It celebrated its 10th anniversary in May and has established itself as a creative platform for hobby tailors and motif designers. The latter are the source of the motifs that make Spoonflower customers rave. If Spoonflower prints one of the designs, the designer receives 10 per cent or more of the proceeds – an attractive opportunity to distribute designs widely and market them easily. Spoonflower also lives from the community concept in other ways: its own blog provides information and discusses the latest trends. Customers can vote for their favourite designs in competitions and receive inspiration and tips via platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

This has struck a chord with a growing fan base in Germany too: orders now reach the Berlin headquarters not only from Germany and Europe, but also from Australia, South America and Asia. The declared aim is to develop and establish the brand in new markets: “Over the next few years, we want to push ahead with internationalisation and establish ourselves as a point of contact for creatives in Europe,” says Maria Neidhold, PR manager at Spoonflower. “To this end, we are currently optimising our website for the European market. In addition to translations into German, French and Spanish, we have also adapted the measurements for fabrics from yard to metre.

” It goes without saying that we at RAJA particularly like creative e-commerce companies like Spoonflower. We tick in a very similar way. We don’t have a single shop – and yet Spoonflower is the first port of call for a growing number of hobby tailors. But there’s something else that particularly excites us about this customer: Spoonflower consistently focusses on individuality and speed. Production and dispatch are agile and responsive: if customers choose “Rush” as their dispatch option, the goods will be with them in one to two days. We are also on the same wavelength here – and are happy to deliver all the necessary boxes, shipping tubes and individual packaging at short notice so that all the wonderful Spoonflower products reach their creative recipients as quickly and safely as possible – and make the world a little more colourful and inspiring.

Natural Horse Care: Feed safely packaged

What does natural packaging have to do with horses? Our customer Natural Horse Care is busy packaging for horses. The company develops feed supplements for horses to the highest quality standards. The company specialises in the supplementary feed market and its core competence lies in the development of nutritional concepts for horses suffering from metabolic disorders, stomach ulcers or osteoarthritis. The range also includes mineral feed.

Nutritional counselling and nutritional therapy for horses

The Natural Horse Care team has a wealth of experience in nutritional counselling and nutritional therapy and the Natural Horse Care brand has been synonymous with solutions for health and muscular problems in horses since 2004. The products are sold via the company’s own online shop.

Dynamic storage for fast dispatch processing

Since its foundation, Natural Horse Care has grown very quickly and has already had to relocate three times in the last five years due to space restrictions. However, the company now wants to remain at its current location in the long term thanks to intelligent storage systems. Natural Horse Care works with dynamic warehousing, also known as chaotic warehousing. This means that products or goods that are stored are not assigned a fixed storage location, but are stored in any location that is not currently occupied. The feed is therefore delivered from production and placed in the warehouse wherever space is available. The shelves in the main warehouse are then regularly filled. This is where the packers collect the relevant goods and compile the orders accordingly.

Deliberately small storage capacity for fast delivery

The warehouse capacity is deliberately kept small to ensure fast delivery. Around 2,000 parcels are dispatched each month. Especially at the beginning of the week, the shipping volume is very high at around 200 parcels. The feed is pre-packaged by the manufacturer in bags or buckets and packed in boxes for despatch to the end consumer.

Natural products naturally packaged

Natural Horse Care has been working with RAJA for many years. The products are shipped exclusively in cardboard boxes, as the packaging also reflects the company’s brand message, which emphasises natural ingredients in the feed. The filling material for the delivery is therefore also produced in-house using a paper padding machine. Speed and efficiency play a particularly important role, as in-house production with the machine means that the exact quantity required can be produced. As heavy products, such as 5 litre buckets of animal feed, are often shipped, paper padding has proven to be particularly effective in practice, as it protects heavy products in the box better than FloPak or bubble wrap, for example.

Paper padding and quality cardboard boxes for heavy products Natural Horse Care also uses 2-wall cardboard boxes for this reason. The quality of the cardboard boxes was impressive. “The quality of the boxes is really good. Especially the ones with the kraft paper on the outside. The packers love them, they say there’s nothing more stable. And that’s why I ordered them, because they really hold up,” says Claudia Fröhlich, responsible for dispatch processing at Natural Horse Care.

Customer always at the centre

The customer is at the centre of everything the company does: Goldeneye stands for holistic support, intensive, differentiated training and a partnership-based approach. Ethics, a sense of responsibility and respect for individuality are the natural foundations of the company’s philosophy.

Effective goods movement processes

All goods movement processes at Goldeneye are based on the FIFO (First In-First Out) method. This means that the oldest stock should be used first wherever possible. Goods are stored in heavy-duty racks in the main warehouse and in high racks in various external warehouses. Goods are moved using electric (forklifts, lifting platforms, lifts) and manual handling equipment (order picking trolleys, pallet trucks). Production and procurement are carried out just-in-time in order to keep the overall processes lean, effective and agile.

“Our daily challenge in logistics is safety and quality. Our growth also requires foresight for future processes and more automation in the supply chain. We are delighted that RAJA will continue to support us as a competent partner in the future.” (René La Fontaine)

Packaging: RAJA offers the right quality and price

Packaging also plays a major role here. Around 80 consignments are dispatched at home and abroad every day. The company uses packaging material from RAJA to dispatch the very high-quality cosmetic products. This includes cardboard boxes, padding and filling material, adhesive tape, pallets and film. When selecting the supplier, Goldeneye was particularly keen to ensure quality at a reasonable price. “We are an agile company that is constantly growing. We are very proud of that. In our day-to-day business, our agility presents us with challenges that require quick and uncomplicated solutions. RAJA offers us customised solutions – tailored to our needs.” Says René La Fontaine, CEO of Goldeneye Permanent System GmbH.

Personal contact with suppliers too

Professional processing and fast delivery are particularly important to the company. In this way, resources can be conserved, the storage space for packaging material can be kept small and changes can be responded to quickly. René La Fontaine also sees a clear advantage in the personal support provided by RAJA: “The partnership is competent and trusting. Regular and personal discussions provide new impetus and good solutions.”

B2B packaging for shipping at home and abroad

Goldeneye’s main business is in B2B, at home and abroad. The top priority here is to ship the products safely and with the greatest possible protection. The packaging must protect against both temperature fluctuations and moisture. The company therefore uses 2-wall cardboard boxes that can also be palletised. Goldeneye has partners in 40 countries worldwide. The company therefore uses Inca pallets for its export business, as they are guaranteed to be pest-free. They are also nestable, lightweight and space-saving, which is an advantage for warehousing in day-to-day business. Pallet caps provide additional stacking protection for the palletised goods.

Packaging that fulfils Goldeneye’s environmental guidelines

Goldeneye has been actively committed to the environment for years. This is why the issue of sustainability also plays a role in the packaging. Environmentally friendly padding and filling material is used: for example, bubble wrap made from 50% recycled material and flo-pak® NATURAL, which is biodegradable. The Airtape packaging tape, which is made from 30% less material than conventional packaging tape, also fulfils the environmental concept. In this way, the company’s environmental guidelines can be combined with optimum protection.

Postal boxes for B2C shipping

In addition to the B2B business, the beauty online shop https://www.wob-shop.de/ also offers the product range for end customers. These small orders are dispatched in white postal boxes – a solution that is of high quality and requires little filling material

Packaging – an important factor in customer satisfaction

SMC Germany has been working with RAJA in the packaging sector for over 12 years. From personalised cardboard packaging to adhesive tapes and matching dispensers to machines for the production of padding material, SMC purchases a wide range of packaging materials and accessories.

Made in Germany

Germany is SMC Corporation’s largest and most important market in Europe. The company has been focussing on “Made in Germany” for years. Production in Germany is therefore constantly being expanded in order to be able to supply customers with the desired products as quickly as possible. Products in stock that are ordered by 12 noon are dispatched on the same day.

500 parcels a day

SMC’s dispatch department works in one shift. From there, goods are dispatched to customers both on pallets and in parcels. Over 500 parcels leave the warehouse every day. Many of these goods are sent as express shipments. Some products are shaped in such a way that they do not fit perfectly into a standard cardboard box. Together with RAJA, solutions were developed to fulfil this aspect. It is crucial to ensure that the goods remain intact with suitable securing devices in and on the parcels. Stable and secure packaging is essential for SMC, as the consignments are handled several times during transport to the customer and are therefore exposed to many external influences.

Well packed with RAJA

RAJA’s packaging solutions ensure that the high-quality and sensitive products not only reach the customer very quickly, but also safely and securely, an important aspect for customer satisfaction, as Björn Nertz, Head of Materials Management at SMC Germany, emphasises: “Our customers value our technological and innovative expertise as well as our quality and reliability. And that’s exactly what we want from the companies we work with. With RAJA, we have a reliable partner that offers us the quality to always ship our goods with the right packaging.”

Bathroom from Retrobad as an oasis of well-being

This is undoubtedly true for a bathroom from our customer Retrobad. Retrobad has been specialising in high-quality bathroom furnishings for over 10 years. From washbasins, taps, toilets, bathtubs and shower trays to matching accessories, the company offers everything you need for a beautiful bathroom. As the name suggests, Retrobad specialises in state-of-the-art bathrooms in traditional and classic styles. The customers have correspondingly special requirements and are, for example, owners of unusual buildings. In addition to many hotels and old buildings, castles are also fitted with Retrobad bathrooms. Retrobad sells its products primarily via its own online shop. However, various taps, baths and basins can also be “touched” in the company’s own showroom.

Packed by Retrobad – Safe transport throughout Europe

Customers from all over Europe are supplied. 50% of orders come from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, but Retrobad also delivers to Denmark, France and Spain – and has even shipped to Australia. Around 1000 deliveries are sent out each month, and these are not so much small parcels, but often complete bathrooms, from ceramics to accessories such as lamps, mirrors and toothbrush mugs. This makes good dispatch processing all the more important.

The packaging of bathrooms – a challenge

Retrobad has been working with RAJA right from the start. Initially, shipping materials were ordered in small quantities, for example pallets, cartons and filling and padding material. As the company grew, shipping and logistics were outsourced to a haulage company. At the beginning of this year, however, Retrobad took back the logistics and, with the support of RAJA, is now packing and despatching the goods itself again. In co-operation with RAJA, the warehouse was set up and equipped with wide-span racking. Transport equipment such as pallet trucks and roller containers facilitate the handling of goods within the warehouse.

Elaborate packaging for sensitive products

At Retrobad, the individual components are put together according to the orders and then dispatched complete. As these are very sensitive products, such as ceramic bathtubs or washbasins or taps with delicate surfaces, the preparation for dispatch is of crucial importance. “We pack very elaborately, because we ship very high-quality and therefore correspondingly expensive items. And if the customer then receives inadequate packaging and broken goods, in the worst case scenario they will cancel the purchase,” says Alexandra Schumann, Managing Director of Retrobad, explaining the importance of packaging.

Paper padding has proven its worth

Taps, shower heads and other small parts, which are often supplied already packed by the manufacturer, must be packed again in larger boxes and protected with paper padding. Padding with paper cushioning has paid off, especially for heavy products such as washbasins. In comparison, bubble wrap gives way much more with a lot of weight and therefore does not achieve the desired cushioning effect. The paper padding is produced on site using a paper padding machine as required. This saves valuable storage space. Retrobad also packs with cardboard boxes. The boxes are sealed with personalised adhesive tape so that the sender is immediately recognisable to the recipient.

Advice takes centre stage

Retrobad particularly appreciates the personalised advice provided by RAJA.

“Machines make a lot of things easier, but it’s difficult to realise for yourself which machine is the right choice. But when someone comes and tells you what the advantages are, it makes the choice easier. It was the same with our personalised adhesive tapes; we also spent a long time deciding which one to choose from the wide range. And thanks to the personalised advice from RAJA, we were able to make a quick decision.”

Pallet loads for larger deliveries

Retrobad relies on pallets to ship several washbasins or shower trays. The company uses both Inka pallets and lightweight wooden pallets. Wooden pallets are particularly suitable for larger deliveries with several washbasins, as several basins can be stacked here. The new warehouse also has a semi-automatic pallet wrapper with a turntable so that the pallets can be packed securely. It enables pallets to be wrapped efficiently and securely with stretch film at the touch of a button. To prevent breakage of the high-quality bathroom fittings during transport, the deliveries are labelled with appropriate warning tapes: “Caution glass” and “Danger of breakage” serve as a warning for the shipping service providers and freight forwarders. The safety tape gives the recipient the additional instruction to check the delivery for damage to the tape before accepting it and to note this on the delivery note if necessary. Pallet caps prevent piles from forming on fragile items during transport. In this way, the deliveries arrive safely and well protected and nothing stands in the way of the wellness temple at home.

hairfree – 100 European locations

Hairfree GmbH, based in Darmstadt, is one of Europe’s leading companies for permanent hair removal. With over 15 years of experience, the company is active at 100 European locations in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Luxembourg. This places certain demands on logistics and dispatch.

Shipping optimisation for special requirements

The company has been working with RAJA since 2009 and uses a very wide range of 2-wall cardboard boxes to ship the products from the headquarters in Darmstadt to the 100 hairfree locations. Shipping to four countries, customs clearance plays an important role and each parcel passes through three times as many hands compared to domestic shipping, so the stability of the cardboard boxes plays a major role, which is one of the main reasons why hairfree has opted for cardboard boxes in 2-wall quality. All equipment for the institutes is dispatched. For example, treatment gels in plastic canisters are packed in the 2-wall cartons. The cavities in the cartons are stuffed with crumpled paper. The boxes are sealed with personalised adhesive tape. Hairfree has its own line of cosmetics, which are also sold to the end consumer in the institutes. These products are packaged in white Rajapost cardboard boxes. The white boxes look particularly good with the cosmetics, but their stability is also an advantage when shipping. Hairfree also uses slip lid cartons, in which products are pre-assembled and dispatched as the correct packaging unit (PU).

Dispatch to the branches

hairfree operates a franchise system. For franchise advertising, the company uses “goodie bags” with personalised patent paper carrier bags from RAJA. Each bag also contains a small piccolo bottle of sparkling wine. To ensure that these bottles arrive intact at the branches, they are sent on their journey with flexible corrugated cardboard protection. This way, the bottles can no longer hit each other and remain undamaged. Several posters for special campaigns are also sent to the branches each year; these are packed in shipping tubes and arrive crease-free. The sensitive devices are sent to the branches by courier service. They are padded with bubble wrap and secured with stretch film during transport. Rainer Stadler, Head of Merchandise Management, is very satisfied with the collaboration with RAJA to optimise shipping:

“Nothing has gone wrong in 4 years. That inspires me. With RAJA, the overall package is just right.”

Adhesive tape with a difference

In addition to personalised PVC adhesive tape, Hairfree also uses personalised paper adhesive tape. And here we have discovered a completely new and surprising area of application for our adhesive tape: Hairfree’s personalised paper tape is actually used for hair removal. The small hairs are removed with the personalised paper tape as a pre-treatment for the actual hair removal. As the adhesive is made of natural rubber, it can be applied to the skin without any problems. Adhesive tape with a difference!

A long-standing collaboration in warehousing and shipping The company’s logistics are handled at two locations, one at Brands Fashion in Buchholz and another 28,000 m² logistics centre in Parchim in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The goods are received, picked and dispatched to customers in these two high-bay warehouses. 140 employees in Buchholz and 35 in Parchim, supplemented by temporary workers to cover peak times, work to optimise the dispatch process. The warehouse space is optimally utilised to maximise handling capacity. In Buchholz, there is a classic high-bay warehouse, a mobile rack with 5,500 pallet spaces and a small parts magazine with 25,000 compartments. RAJA supports Brands Fashion in the preparation for dispatch as well as in handling the dispatch and picking of the goods. Brands Fashion has been working with RAJA since 2005, focusing on cardboard packaging and everything needed for shipping preparation, from personalised packing tape and dispensers to cutter knives. Each day, up to 2,500 packages are dispatched from both locations by shipping service providers. These are not just boxes but also shipping bags, which are printed by RAJA with the Brands Fashion logo. In addition, there are various tours with the company’s own lorries as well as freight forwarding. An additional 100 pallets are dispatched each week. The lorries and containers are loaded and unloaded using RAJA roller conveyors.

Efficient dispatch preparation

The entire process at Brands Fashion is time-optimised. This is of crucial importance: how long does it take to erect the carton, how long do I need to fold it and so on. RAJA is proving to be a reliable partner in terms of both supply and equipment: “Our continuous and rapid growth has been accompanied by RAJA right from the start,” says Frank Blankertz, Logistics Manager at Brands Fashion. “For me, everything has to run efficiently. And with RAJA, everything works immediately, the deliveries arrive quickly and correctly as ordered. Even in the online age, personal contact is still important. I have a contact person, I call him and he offers me quick solutions immediately. And if necessary, he is quickly on site.”

Picking at Brands Fashion is carried out via mobile data capture (MDC) and is optimised to perfection. With the help of the MDE, the routing is specified during dispatch preparation according to the shortest picking time. For example, a barcode is assigned to each pallet storage location. For this purpose, the pallets are equipped with special packing bags from RAJA into which the barcodes are inserted. In this way, the employee can be guided directly to the pallet via MDE. The pallet is approached by the employee using large RAJA picking trolleys and the goods can then be removed accordingly.

Ergonomic packing workstations

The packing workstations from RAJA ensure ergonomic work during dispatch preparation: each packing station is equipped with an anti-fatigue mat that improves balance and enables even weight distribution during long periods of standing. Further projects with Brands Fashion are already being planned, as Frank Blankertz is very satisfied with the collaboration: “RAJA is attentive, good and fast!

Online distribution

The online retailer sells its products in its own online shop, but also via Amazon and other online marketplaces. Naissance has been working with RAJA in Germany right from the start. From its headquarters in Berlin, it ships to Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Scandinavian countries. The company ships 3000-4000 parcels and additional pallets of goods every week.

Carton quality is crucial

Naissance requires various types of cardboard packaging for its extensive product range. Postal cartons in various sizes are used, as well as single-wall cartons. The quality of the cardboard boxes was particularly convincing. “Customers also have expectations when they spend a certain amount on packaging, the cardboard has to be of a certain quality and that was one reason why we decided in favour of RAJA – the good cardboard quality.” Says Mathias Fischbach, Operation Officer at Naissance GmbH.

Optimisation of the packaging process and warehousing

To speed up the packing process, special packing tables were installed in collaboration with RAJA. The paper padding is produced automatically as required at the touch of a button and can be easily removed through an opening in the centre of the table. There is also a Geami machine on the packing tables, which is used to re-pack particularly fragile items. A solution that is both environmentally friendly and visually appealing. The environmental aspect is also the reason why Naissance has opted for filling and padding material made entirely of paper. The name Naissance stands for high-quality natural products and the packaging should also be in keeping with this. In addition to the packaging, Naissance has also optimised its warehousing and organisation with the support of RAJA. The company now has special shelf trolleys with matching open-fronted storage bins for picking. Pallet racks enable efficient storage.

“We sit down with RAJA every 3 to 6 months and discuss what has changed. And RAJA is always honest with us, tells us what is possible, finds solutions or an alternative. This personalised service has won us over. RAJA is a reliable partner with whom we can grow together. (Mathias Fischbach, Naissance)

Close cooperation with RAJA

Deutsche Augenoptik AG sends 400-500 parcels and approx. 2000 spectacle lenses per day, which are dispatched in special packaging. The company has been working with RAJA in the area of packaging since 2004. As a large number of different products have to be dispatched, shipping is a challenge. A total of 6,500 items are stored on several levels at the site. These have to be picked accordingly for despatch. They are then packed, labelled and dispatched in the shipping department. For filling and padding, the company uses different types of padding depending on the product Deutsche Augenoptik AG uses paper padding machines to fill the cavities in the boxes in order to be able to produce the padding material as required. For special devices with a matching table, the table edges must be protected with U-profiles and edge protection corners made of PE foam. For smaller devices, foam boards in cardboard boxes provide the necessary impact protection. The company uses shipping tubes for posters. This is the best way to send the advertising media without creasing. The boxes are sealed with personalised adhesive tape or strapping tape. The company particularly appreciates RAJA’s speed. If packaging material is needed, it is there the next day. This is an advantage, as on-site storage capacity is limited. The close support from the field service is also an advantage: “It’s all the communication with RAJA, not just the personal visit from the field service but also the after-sales support, from A to Z, it’s very close.” Says Norbert Drewes, Head of Internal Sales at Deutsche Augenoptik AG.

Packaging for online shipping

As the company only sells online, shipping is of central importance. bluespoon has been working with RAJA in the area of packaging for 5 years. The decision in favour of RAJA was initially made for very pragmatic reasons. The company previously had many smaller suppliers and was looking for a supplier that could offer the complete range of products required. In addition to cardboard boxes, the company now also purchases all packaging accessories and warehouse equipment, from packing tables and filling material to toilet paper and paper towels for hands. bluespoon particularly appreciates the fact that RAJA is always on hand to help with special requests. “For example, we sometimes send concrete blocks and they need to be protected at the edges. RAJA is well positioned when it comes to special solutions. ” says bluespoon Managing Director Nikolaj Pecherski.

Around 600 parcels are dispatched by bluespoon every day. Now, in the 4th quarter, it is even up to 1000 parcels and on the absolute peak days in the pre-Christmas period even up to 6,000 parcels. The majority of the logistics solution goes to the end customer, but many items are also sent to Amazon. This requires materials for palletising in particular. Single-wall cardboard boxes are primarily used for palletising. The products are additionally secured on the pallet with stretch film and do not pass through so many different hands during shipping, so single-wall cardboard boxes are sufficient for this purpose. For individual shipments, bluespoon usually uses 2-wall cardboard packaging for larger parcels (from approx. 50 cm in length). Products that already have outer packaging are protected once again by bluespoon with Bulkraft, this bubble wrap combined with kraft paper offers double protection against impact during transport. Additional outer packaging is therefore no longer necessary.

FloPak is used inside the box for fragile products and paper padding or crumpled paper for other items. The company uses paper cushions, especially for sets that are often put together on site at bluespoon. These are produced directly on site using the Padpak system installed by RAJA to protect fragile items against each other. Nikolaj Pecherski appreciates the co-operation with RAJA:

“What we appreciate about RAJA is this colourful and wide range of products paired with a very good service, with a fast delivery time and with a very high level of reliability.” (Nikolaj Pecherski, Managing Director of bluespoon)

Protecting the lights during shipping

Nyta has been working with RAJA since it was founded in 2012 and purchases packaging and shipping materials. On average, 40 parcels and several pallets are dispatched each week.

“We particularly appreciate the consistently high quality from RAJA,” says Johannes Müller, Managing Director at Nyta. As the lights come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, there is a need for packaging protection that can be used flexibly. In addition, the sensitive surfaces and materials such as polished brass, stainless steel and coated aluminium need to be particularly well protected. To protect the surfaces, the lampshades are packed in flat bags, while sensitive parts are additionally wrapped in bubble wrap and positioned in product cartons so that they are well protected. The flexible use of products such as Rajapack’s bubble wrap helps the young company to pack the wall, floor and pendant lights quickly and securely. The film reliably protects the lights from breakage, scratches, dust and dirt.

Styrofoam corners and crumpled paper from RAJA, which are used to cushion and protect between the product and the shipping packaging, have also proved their worth. They prevent slippage in the shipping carton, cushion and reliably protect against knocks so that the lights arrive safely and undamaged at the customer’s premises. Johannes Müller always sees good packaging protection as a challenge:

“Protective packaging is crucial for our sensitive and high-quality luminaires, because our customers naturally expect the luminaires to arrive in perfect condition. Good product protection during shipping is therefore crucial for the satisfaction of our customers.” (Johannes Müller)

For our customer, Wolffstore GmbH, this second aspect of packaging is particularly important. The company was founded in 2005 by brothers Thomas and Marcel Reiners and has worked with Rajapack from the very beginning. The company is now a leader in e-commerce remarketing and offers retailers, manufacturers and suppliers the opportunity to market returns, remaining stock and end-of-life (EOL) products easily and profitably. In addition to Amazon, Wolffstore also uses eBay and its own online shop.

The company has developed its own eBay power seller software, Go!Sell. As a full-service provider, the company takes care of the entire returns process. This ranges from the acceptance and storage of returns, their recording and quality control, the creation of product photos and item descriptions to their online marketing on the appropriate sales channel, as well as the complete payment processing and packaging and shipping.

Wide range of packaging for a broad spectrum of products

Packaging is primarily used for shipping, which is why Wolffstore relies on single-wall cardboard boxes.

“We don’t need 2 or 3-wall cardboard boxes as we don’t store the products in them. We pack consumer goods, which are often already in good original packaging. However, we see the product packaging as part of the goods and therefore add additional outer packaging. We pack the goods for dispatch, the goods are in the box for exactly 24 hours, which is how long the parcel usually takes to reach the customer. And our tests have shown that the returns rate for double-wall cartons has neither fallen nor risen,” says Thomas Reiners.

In addition to the single-wall cartons in various sizes, Wolffstore as a company also uses cross-book packaging or the Multiwell® shipping carton, for example, both of which are easy to use and can also be used for different products thanks to the variable filling height. Wolffstore also uses various types of bags, strapping tape for sealing and paper padding machines.

“We like ordering from RAJA because we always get everything from a single source” (Thomas Reiners, Wolffstore GmbH)

For Thomas Reiners, RAJA’s large product range is therefore one of the advantages of working with RAJA: “We like ordering from RAJA because we always get everything from a single source, so if we need adhesive tape we order from you, if we order envelopes they also come from you. And we get what we need very quickly. A big advantage is that you don’t have to stock up, you are supplied so quickly at fair conditions. It all happens in 24 hours, we don’t need to keep any storage space for it, so not much. Until recently, we really didn’t have the capacity to store even 3 pallets more than we really needed at the moment. Being supplied overnight is a real plus point. ”

Nails2000 also produces special UV gels in-house. Initially, the products were sold directly. Since the end of the 1990s, the company has operated an online shop that also offers accessories such as brushes, files, liquids and special equipment. The launch of the online shop also marked the start of the co-operation with RAJA. International sales are carried out using packaging material from RAJA. Nails2000 particularly appreciates the versatility of the range and the personal support provided by the sales force, which Daniela Springmann, Team Leader in Logistics and Shipping, emphasises:

“We have one supplier for everything we need, we don’t buy adhesive tape from company A and cardboard boxes from company B, we have one supplier for the complete packaging material who is very reliable. Then it is a great advantage for us that we have personal support, that the sales force also comes round when there are product innovations, otherwise we would still be at the level we were in 1999. Unless we actively endeavour to do so ourselves, but in that case the support is very good on your part, the sales representatives come round and tell us what’s new and what would be suitable for us. RAJA responds to our needs.” (Daniele Springmann)

Personalised packaging for an appealing product presentation

The Nails2000 online shop has grown steadily. Daniela Springmann, team leader in logistics and shipping, also sees personalised packaging as the biggest trend in online shipping in recent years. This is why Nails2000 also uses personalised white boxes for shipping and has boxes printed with the company logo. The PVC adhesive tape used to seal the boxes is also printed with the Nails2000 logo, as the customer should be able to see who the parcel is from as soon as they receive it. Individualisation and personalisation is very important to us, as the customer can see from the outset that the parcel comes from Nails2000. With RAJA, we were able to realise the printed cardboard boxes perfectly. Daniela Springmann, Nails2000 The parcel is therefore the customer’s first point of contact with the brand. In keeping with its field of activity, Nails2000 opted for white cardboard boxes:

“The white cardboard boxes are an ideal match for the cosmetics sector, as the products are aesthetic and so the packaging should look accordingly. Our products are in the upper price segment and this must also be reflected in the packaging. The printed white boxes with the printed adhesive tape look appealing and of high quality, which makes a difference.”

LED technology for the event industry

Shipping preparation is also of crucial importance for our customer GLP German Light Products GmbH. Founded in 1994, GLP is a global manufacturer of lighting technology and is one of the leading manufacturers of high-quality, innovative lighting technology for the entertainment industry. With the multi-award-winning Impression X4 series, GLP has created a standard in the lighting industry that is used by leading lighting designers worldwide and is appreciated for its flexible application possibilities. It has now become the market leader in LED technology for the theatre and event industry. Based on this core competence, GLP is also active in a second product area, the lighting of industrial halls, workplaces and machine workstations for industry. GLP has subsidiaries in the USA, UK, Singapore, Hong Kong and Sweden.

GLP has been working with RAJA for eight years to package products ready for despatch. GLP uses handmade flight cases to transport the complete lighting equipment, which are specially designed and manufactured for multiple transport on tours worldwide. These cases are secured on pallets with black stretch film in order to reach the respective organiser. As they are shipped worldwide, opaque stretch film is particularly important, as customs require opaque packaging for air freight shipments.

Preparing electronic lighting components for dispatch

As a manufacturer, GLP is of course also responsible for the supply of spare parts, a very fast and globally necessary business: these are usually high-quality electronic components or optical components that require special protection. Depending on their surface properties, they are packed with antistatic bubble wrap to prevent them from becoming electrostatically charged. In addition to antistatic bubble wrap on a roll, GLP primarily uses antistatic bubble bags in 6 different sizes. Their use has significantly reduced the work involved in the packaging process: “It’s already made a big difference that everything no longer has to be wrapped in film. Now I only have my five or six sizes of shipping bags. When a small circuit board arrives, I just pull out the small bag, can seal it directly with the self-adhesive strip and put it in the box. That saves a lot of time,” says Christos Matzaridis from GLP. For this reason, GLP also uses height-adjustable flash-bottom erecting boxes and the FillPak TT Cutter™ paper padding systemto pad out the cavities in the boxes. This makes shipping preparation quick and easy. This is because handling at GLP is very compact, with the warehouse itself having just two employees who are supported by the quality assurance and management departments. One warehouse employee at GLP therefore does everything, from receiving the internal order to preparing the shipping documents, which means that everything has to be done quickly and the employee has to have everything ready.

“And this is where RAJA has developed into a very reliable and flexible partner.” (Christos Matzaridis)

Clearly organised warehousing – effective production processes

The company offers everything from a single source, from the initial idea to design, prototyping, series production, final assembly and packaging. The skilled labour is trained right from the start. Training is particularly important to the company. A large proportion of the permanent staff started as trainees. In addition to construction mechanics specialising in thin sheet metal construction technology, the company also trains industrial clerks and office management clerks.

Reichenbacher Apparatebau works with RAJA products for the packaging of products, for despatch and to support smooth production processes. Storage bins in 3 different colours are integrated into the production process and are used for production materials. Each colour is assigned to a material:

• Red for stainless steel
• Blue for steel
• Orange and black for different types of plastic

This colour code applies to the entire company. Every employee, including trainees or new employees, can quickly find their way around thanks to this simple visualisation. This greatly simplifies processes and enables clear stock-keeping.

Stacking containers in the Kanban system

Reichenbacher Apparatebau also uses stacking containers in 3 different sizes in production. Thanks to effective production processes, prefabricated parts are stored in the barcoded boxes in the paternoster warehouse to save space and can be made available again quickly. Just-in-time delivery for the respective customer can thus be realised. This form of storage saves around 80 % of the space compared to the storage of pure raw materials, as the prefabricated parts can be stored flat. The Euroboxes from RAJA are therefore part of the innovative Kanban system used by Reichenbacher Apparatebau. This system works according to the pull principle for controlling the material flow and is orientated towards the actual consumption of materials within the production processes. The process is fully automated. Depending on requirements, the number of kanbans is automatically provided in the paternoster via the respective kanban card with barcode, which contains all the important information. One kanban corresponds to one production order. At Reichenbacher Apparatebau, the stacking containers serve as load carriers for the kanbans. The required parts are provided directly from the paternoster in the stacking containers for further processing, for example for surface finishing. The advantages of this system: overproduction or limited stocks are avoided, delivery times are shortened and delivery reliability is increased. In production, throughput times are increased, planning and control costs as well as the required storage space are reduced and there is a considerable increase in productivity throughout the entire procurement and control process.

Bildungspark Heilbronn-Franken gGmbH – Training for the warehouse/logistics sector

Our customer Bildungspark Heilbronn-Franken gGmbH is a real expert in the field of warehousing and logistics. Vocational training, retraining and qualification are key components of the Bildungspark’s work. One of the most important training centres at the Bildungspark is the warehouse/logistics area. The logistics training centre, which covers an area of over 2,000 m², is used to train warehouse specialists and warehouse logistics specialists. In other words, the centre trains precisely the specialist staff that retailers need to optimally prepare for year-end business, for example. The centre’s graduates are in high demand, as the training is very practical. In a 1,000 m² training warehouse, with an indoor forklift course and a swap body for load securing, appropriate training courses are held to optimally prepare all trainees for their future careers.

The warehouse equipment naturally includes shelving. The type of racking is selected depending on the size of the warehouse and the goods to be stored. However, the choice of equipment is just as important as the choice of the right shelving. The Heilbronn-Franken training park works closely with logistics companies and firms; everything in the training warehouse is therefore set up in the same way as it will be for skilled workers in their future careers. The Bildungspark has been using RAJA products to equip the training centre since 2012.

“In terms of safety and equipment, RAJA products simply meet the standard that is set in warehouse logistics. Packaging materials from RAJA, as well as many equipment products such as transport equipment, pallet trucks, packing tables and brooms, are an integral part of our range,” says Michael Brüser, who manages the warehouse/logistics training centre.

For their training, the students play through scenarios with the help of eight training companies. “Our motto is to learn what you really need,” says Brüser. When it comes to warehouse equipment, it is not necessarily a case of “a lot helps a lot”. Rather, it is the efficiency of the equipment that simplifies the processes. This is practised here: Orders are created between the different companies, which are then run through in practice: Orders are picked, packed and delivered.

Packing tables and load securing

The goods are packed ready for despatch on the fully equipped packing tables. Everything has its fixed place here, from the cardboard box to the adhesive tape dispenser to the bubble wrap. After all, a tidy and well-organised workplace plays an important role in ensuring smooth and efficient processes. At the Bildungspark, the packing tables are also the places where the test is later taken. RAJA products are also used to secure loads: Pallets are loaded and secured with strapping and stretch film. Pallet trucks are used for the simple transport of pallets within the warehouse. Transport trolleys are used for smaller goods.

Another key element of warehouse management is a clean and safe working environment. Every warehouse needs wiping cloths and sweeping utensils to keep the workplace clean, as well as personal protective equipment. For Michael Brüser, this is also the importance of practical warehouse training: “How do I teach the students what a Euro pallet is? I can show them a picture, but I can also go into the warehouse with them. Then they know how heavy a pallet is. And if it falls on their feet, they’ll know why they have to wear safety shoes.”

A clear advantage for Bildungspark Heilbronn-Franken when working with RAJA is the breadth of the range and the large selection of products: “When I have an order, I usually don’t just order one item, but a few more, and if I had to research every single item, it would be far too time-consuming. I send a short email to RAJA, receive an immediate confirmation and have my goods on my desk a day later,” says Mr Brüser.