A partnership with packaging distributor, Antalis, led to monthly savings of £12k for aerospace specialist, Safran, with its bespoke transit cases lowering transport costs and improving efficiency
Antalis, a B2B distributor of paper and packaging solutions, has revealed the details of an intelligent transport solution it provided to global aerospace manufacturer, Safran, which is reportedly saving the company £12,000 every month.
Safran approached Antalis Packaging to repair a fleet of ageing transit cases used to transport aircraft landing gear. Rather than simply repairing the worn steel containers, Antalis instead created an intelligent transport solution that aimed to improve handling, safety, and operational efficiency throughout the company’s logistics chain.
As part of a structured process of consultation and collaboration, Antalis began by analysing the containers to understand how they were stored, handled, and presented to engineers. This reverse-engineering approach placed the aircraft components at the centre of the design process, treating the packaging as an operational tool rather than a protective container.
The result was a new transport system consisting of two bespoke case designs. One incorporates lockable drawers containing colour-coded foam inserts for smaller components, while the second accommodates individual landing gear parts weighing up to 150kg.
Constructed from lightweight plywood with an aluminium frame, the new cases are substantially lighter than their predecessors while offering greater durability.
The cases are stackable, reducing storage space and making better use of warehouse capacity than the previous units. Integrated forklift pockets also allow faster loading and unloading, while heavy-duty lockable wheels improve manoeuvrability during movement around production and storage facilities.
Each drawer is numbered to reflect the order in which components are required during aircraft assembly, while colour-coded foam inserts aid in identifying parts.
Reducing the weight of the cases by approximately 30% has reportedly lowered transport costs significantly. Combined with the more compact, stackable design, the new solution is now delivering estimated transport savings of around £12,000 per month.
The repairable construction also supports sustainability objectives by extending service life and reducing material waste by replacing individual panels rather than entire units.
Jordanna Price, new business development manager at Antalis Packaging, says: “The initial requirement was to repair existing cases, but we knew we could provide a better solution. Durable, repairable, sustainable, and easier to use, the new flight cases have helped improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and cut environmental impact."
