Innovation in the warehouse: from waste to valuable shelves!

At the end of last year, the manager of our logistics centers, Risto, looked at the waste generated in the warehouse and came to an inspiring discovery – why not to use it as our advantage. This is how the idea of ​​using waste to build fine goods shelves was born. Risto’s vision was not to create just a shelf, but to design a solution that would not require nails or screws for assembly and could be used under the base shelf and in the fine goods assembly area. The result would be a wallet-friendly and also environmentally friendly solution.

He was inspired by two examples he had come across before. The first of these was a plastic solution that hung from the beams of the base and offered excellent use of space but was very expensive. The other was a cardboard solution, which also did not require nails or screws, but its price and durability raised questions. By combining the best features of these two solutions, a design was created specifically for the plywood left over in our warehouse.

The standard shelf consists of only three different standard cut pieces and the aisle shelf consists of four different standard cut pieces. By combining these parts, you can build at least three different shelves. The shelf can always be disassembled when it is not needed and put back up if necessary, as the solution is free of fasteners. When disassembled, the parts of six gables can fit on one cubic meter base.

Then the CEO of Logistika Pluss, Toomas Orutar, found a cooperation partner, Laserstants OÜ, who helped to implement our idea. Orutar points out that he is glad that we found a reliable partner in the form of Laserstants and its manager Toomas Ankrovits, who was able to understand the design drawings and go along with the product development.

With the help of a laser die, the necessary details were cut from plywood with a laser cutter, and when connected together they form a shelf with a very solid structure. When assembling the first shelf, the mood was sublime. We corrected the measurements a bit and the second prototype was ready. Then a hybrid solution was born, from which different shelves can be built, and they were also the first to be used in the warehouse. Although there were still some changes to be made, we had arrived at a very good solution. Today, the shelves are actively used in our warehouse.

Toomas Orutar also points out that he is very proud that we have been able to create such a necessary and environmentally friendly solution from waste, and that our waste finds a purposeful use inside our own house. In addition, it is a very effective solution, as it is easy to move and transport together with the goods. The shelf just needs to be wrapped and ready for transport with the goods and warehouse address system.

In an eco-friendly and cost-effective plywood shelving system, we have found a great and practical use for warehouse waste, and we hope it will inspire you to find innovative ways to recycle your waste.

You can read more about our environmental activities here.