An online retailer with storage boxes, a family business with a lot of initiative – and a go-live in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic: the success story of ab-in-die-BOX.de shows how structured work, good preparation and the right tools can go hand in hand.
Entry into e-commerce
The family business ab-in-die-BOX.de has been selling storage boxes via its own online store since 2010. Today, 35 employees work at the Diemelsee site, from where sales, marketing and the entire online trade are managed. Production takes place at the second site in Twiste. What drives Sonja Müller, Managing Director of the family business? Optimizing processes, thinking digitally and getting things done: “When we started in 2010, this was a big challenge at first, as we had no experience in this area.”
Everything in flow from order to delivery
Today, ab-in-die-BOX.de relies on the full power of JTL: With JTL-Wawi, the company manages all orders centrally – whether from Amazon or from its own store. Automated processes make daily work in the warehouse more efficient, e.g. when processing orders, transferring payment data to DATEV or shipping.
The optimization through JTL WMS is particularly noticeable. Pick lists on tablets guide employees through the warehouse in a targeted manner, minimize routes and errors during picking and ensure fast shipping. “The error rate has dropped significantly thanks to JTL WMS,” says Sonja. “Our employees are shown exactly where to find what – there’s hardly anything that can go wrong.”
Go-live during the pandemic - with RECENT as a strong partner
The go-ahead for the new warehouse was given during the coronavirus period – completely remotely. This was made possible by the close cooperation with JTL service partner RECENT. Managing Director Torben Zarnick remembers: “We started on a greenfield site – an empty hall, like a blank sheet of paper. Together with an employee from ab-in-die-BOX.de, we developed the warehouse layout step by step, optimized routes and set up the system.”
The collaboration was intensive but uncomplicated: “Sonja makes quick decisions – that helps enormously,” says Zarnick. “And the team was open to new ideas right from the start. That makes projects like this particularly exciting.”
Automation creates new freedom
The company is also thinking one step ahead when it comes to connecting major customers: a specially developed, lean REST API now enables an efficient dropshipping process and internal client reconciliation. Orders from large customers are automatically entered into the system, validated directly and forwarded for picking without any manual intermediate steps. This not only saves time in day-to-day business, but also creates new scope for growth and partnerships.
Digital, efficient, familiar
What makes ab-in-die-BOX.de special? The mix of down-to-earth entrepreneurial spirit, openness to new solutions and a real doer mindset. For Sonja, one thing is certain: “With the support of our service partner and the right tools from JTL, we were not only able to improve our processes – we took our entire warehouse to a new level.”
Would you like to find out how you can optimize your warehouse or set it up from scratch? We will be happy to advise you!
