The future of warehouse logistics: efficient, recyclable and safe
Sustainable material handling is key to future-oriented operating strategies. Efficiency, recyclability and safety are increasingly establishing themselves as guiding principles of modern warehouse processes – with measurable benefits for cost-effectiveness, the environment and operational safety.
Feedback from sales, service and customer discussions shows us that sustainability in warehousing is successful when it combines ecological responsibility with technical reliability and economic impact. Efficient, circular-ready, safe – this triad symbolises warehouse logistics that is geared towards the requirements of the future.
The concepts we develop together with our sales experts and design based on specific customer enquiries address precisely these issues. They put the demand for sustainable warehouse logistics into concrete terms – and show how ecological, economic and social goals can be combined. How does this work in practice?
Efficient: conserve resources, reduce costs
Efficiency is a key factor in material handling – for cost-effectiveness, operational reliability and environmental performance. Energy savings, automation and smart control systems now enable much more targeted use of existing resources.
Efficiency at Jungheinrich:
- A fully electrified vehicle portfolio reduces emissions and maintenance costs.
- The digitalisation of warehouse processes ensures leaner workflows and lower resource consumption.
- Individual energy consulting identifies potential savings – tailored to the specific needs of each business.
A specific example: At furniture retailer Bohus, our customised storage and transport solutions reduced energy consumption by 17 percent while increasing productivity and process reliability.
Circular-ready: Use existing materials longer and better
A sustainable warehouse thinks in terms of cycles. Materials and products are used for as long as possible, and maintenance and recycling are systematically planned. This ensures that warehouse operations are not only resource-efficient, but also economically flexible.
- Refurbished used vehicles such as our JUNGSTARS save up to 80% CO₂e compared to new production – and extend the service life of valuable components.
- Flexible rental models enable usage tailored to requirements instead of fixed investments. And what's more, emissions are not calculated in full, but only proportionally to the corporate carbon footprint.
- Modularly designed vehicles and systems facilitate maintenance and subsequent adjustments.
Secure: actively protecting people, goods and processes
Safety is much more than just a mandatory requirement – it is one of the most effective levers for ensuring quality and efficiency. In a safe warehouse, processes run more smoothly, employees work with greater confidence and downtime is reduced.
Our solutions therefore aim to provide active protection through technology and system integration.
Safety at Jungheinrich:
- Assistance systems support driving behaviour and minimise sources of error.
- Intelligent warning systems detect hazards at an early stage.
- Comprehensive concepts such as SAFEwalk increase personal safety in the warehouse environment.
An example: At Werner & Mertz, improved safety measures, among other things, led to annual savings of around €42,000 – through fewer accidents and downtime.
Enabling sustainability in everyday life
All of the examples mentioned show that sustainability is not an add-on at Jungheinrich, but an integral part of modern warehouse solutions. The focus is on concrete added value – for companies, the environment and employees.
Experience shows that investing in efficiency, recyclability and safety today is not only responsible, but also actively strengthens competitiveness and future viability.
You can find out more about sustainability at Jungheinrich here.
