Less space, more storage capacity for DUCAJU | SSI SCHAEFER

Large product range, even greater challenges

DUCAJU has built a strong reputation in the field of luxury packaging, folding boxes, cardboard sleeves and presentation materials out of cardboard. Boxes, folders, binders and displays. The company itself, based in Erpe-Mere, Belgium, has existed for almost three centuries. In recent years, Ducaju has steadily expanded its activities, including the acquisition of its two market competitors BDMO and Hellyn, and now has a complete and complementary product range.

As sales of cardboard boxes, folders and binders grew to 3 million per year, capacity increasingly reached its limits. Thus, DUCAJU decided to merge two warehouses to one compact building. Finally, in 2021, a new facility with a state-of-the-art warehouse was built near the existing site in Meulebeke, Belgium. It was crucial for the Belgian company to maintain storage capacities and become more efficient.

One compact warehouse instead of two large ones

“We wanted to keep it as compact as possible to avoid unnecessary investments in fire protection: 2,600 m² instead of 5,000 m². At the same time, more goods had to be stored in this smaller space without affecting the logistical flow. This is not a given. Besides, we want to evolve into a semi-automated or fully automated warehouse that is controlled by a warehouse management system (WMS). The concept had to be future-proof, but scalable. We therefore invested a lot of work in preparing the tender in order to clarify our high expectations to potential suppliers,” Pieter Debucquoy, Innovation & Technical Manager at DUCAJU, says .

The Belgian packaging specialist was looking for a partner who could cover the entire logistics process and therefore turned to SSI SCHAEFER. In addition to the quality of the products, the holistic approach was a decisive factor. This meant that DUCAJU had a single contact person for analysis, conception, implementation and maintenance.

It was convenient that SSI SCHAEFER could take care of everything. We deliberately chose a full-service partner who would relieve us of as many worries as possible and with whom we could change quickly.

Pieter Debucquoy

Innovation & Technical Manager DUCAJU

Pieter Debucquoy

Innovation & Technical Manager DUCAJU

ESX Mobile Racking Systems

16 rows (2 fixed + 14 mobile)
8 sections per row
6 stories
4 euro pallets per level each
Aisle length: approx. 30 m
Highest unloading position: 10 m

2x SSI LOGIMAT Vertical Lift Modules

Height: 11 m
Occupied floor space: approx. 23 m2 for both systems
Real storage space: 541 m2
Height of goods: 120 mm
Two retrieval openings (at floor level and at 5,800 mm)

Get to know our Vertical Lift Module!

Find out how the SSI LOGIMAT can help you optimize your warehouse and do the first steps towards digitalization.

SSI LOGIMAT Vertical Lift Module brochure

Optimum use of the available space and resources

“The request was actually very detailed,” Steve Cautaert, Head of Sales Dynamic Systems at SSI SCHAEFER, remembers. “The customer had measured everything in their old warehouse precisely: From the load capacity to the heights of the racks. This helped us to correctly assess individual requirements. Based on the specifications, we knew immediately what we could offer. Everything described there is standard in our range. So after a few meetings and minor adjustments, we quickly came up with a final quotation.”

The new warehouse has an area of 2,600 sqm instead of the previous 5,000 sqm. Thanks to the efficient layout, the number of the pallet locations was increased from 3,750 to 6,900. “Our new warehouse is only half the size of the old one. Nevertheless, SSI SCHAEFER was able to achieve a capacity increase of 84%," Pieter Debucquoy adds, “that's very impressive!"

Reliable and safe operation

“The installation of the vertical lift modules and mobile racks went completely smoothly,” Debucquoy says. “This proves that the choice of only one partner was the right one. The short lines of communication, the follow-up or the planning. I really cannot remember any major problems, discussions or delays. As we were dealing with a new building, new solutions could be found quickly with their extensive experience,” he says.

In addition to equipping its warehouse, DUCAJU also entrusted us with Customer Service & Support. Debucquoy: “The holistic approach ensures reliable and secure operation of the logistics systems. If a malfunction occurs with one of the vertical lift modules or mobile racks, we can rely on SSI SCHAEFER to resolve it as quickly as possible.”

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DUCAJU, BE: Less Space, More Storage Capacity