Standard automotive metallic containers
The automotive industry is one of the most dynamic, constantly looking for methods to optimize every step along the chain to reduce costs and losses. It is the only way to deliver value in such a competitive market.
Returnable metal containers for storing and transporting components play an important role in this environment.
Containers with closed metal walls
Heavy-duty containers with closed metal walls may come in different custom dimensions according to their use.
They are stackable, rigid or foldable and are usually produced from metal sheets.
These containers have a sturdy design and construction of metal profiles, ensuring a long service life.
Steel containers resist intensive long-term use. Usually, clients only order more of them when volumes increase, and rarely for replacements.
They can be handled with standard machines: pallet trucks, forklifts, lifting rings or cranes.
They can have internal separators or interlayers, simultaneously increasing the density of products and the degree of protection.
| Reference | External dimensions (mm) | Internal dimensions (mm) | Maximum load (kg) | Folded height (mm) | Weight (kg) | Volume (L) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | CON-S-0130 | 780 x 570 x 478 | 740 x 540 x 305 | N.A. | N.A. | 36 | 121,88 L | View product |
 | 00080 | 780 x 570 x 478 | 770 x 560 x 305 | 400 kg | N.A. | 36 | 130 L | View product |
 | 00133 | 1150 x 800 x 540 | 1050 x 700 x 315 | 1000 kg | N.A. | 85 | 230 L | View product |
 | ETM---4434 | 1274 x 1014 x 840 | 1110 x 930 x 500 | N.A. | N.A. | 141 | 516,15 L | View product |
 | 00082 | 1370 x 900 x 730 | 1310 x 840 x 535 | 1400 kg | N.A. | 143 | 590 L | View product |
Wire mesh containers
Wire mesh containers can be produced in various sizes, usually with a closed base. They can be rigid or foldable, usually stackable, and may come with lateral access doors if requested.
The base can be pallet type, with full or partial (just corners) skids/ crossbeams, or it can have feet.
They are easily handled using a pallet truck or forklift.
Depending on the application, the walls can be permeable (just a wire mesh structure) or closed by adding compact boards on the inside.
Wire mesh cages are used with internal separators and dunnage and have label holders to identify the packed products quickly.
Also, they can have contact zones covered in plastic or galvanized/painted in an electrostatic field.
Mesh pallet cages have low maintenance costs and long service life.
| Reference | External dimensions (mm) | Internal dimensions (mm) | Maximum load (kg) | Folded height (mm) | Weight (kg) | Volume (L) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | SLI---0130/1S560MR | 800 x 600 x 560 | 732 x 532 x 412 | N.A. | N.A. | 38 | 160,44 L | View product |
 | H6M | 1110 x 650 x 840 | 1090 x 640 x 595 | N.A. | N.A. | 90 | 415,07 L | View product |
 | 00081 | 1150 x 800 x 730 | 1080 x 720 x 500 | 1000 kg | 300 mm | 71 | 390 L | View product |
 | SLI---0601/2S750M | 1200 x 1000 x 750 | 1120 x 920 x 550 | N.A. | N.A. | 91 | 566,72 L | View product |
 | 00123 | 1200 x 1000 x 910 | 1085 x 880 x 680 | 1000 kg | 410 mm | 125 | 650 L | View product |
 | SLI---0760 | 1200 x 1000 x 930 | 1120 x 920 x 700 | N.A. | N.A. | 118 | 721,28 L | View product |
 | SLI---0771/2S975M | 1200 x 1000 x 975 | 1120 x 920 x 774 | N.A. | N.A. | 112 | 797,53 L | View product |
 | SLI---0770/2S975L | 1200 x 1000 x 975 | 1110 x 910 x 774 | N.A. | N.A. | 117 | 781,82 L | View product |
 | F3M | 1300 x 1100 x 540 | 1290 x 1090 x 295 | N.A. | N.A. | 95,00 | 414,80 L | View product |
 | F6M | 1300 x 1100 x 840 | 1290 x 1090 x 595 | N.A. | N.A. | 124,00 | 836,63 L | View product |
 | 00103 | 1370 x 900 x 920 | 1294 x 814 x 680 | 1000 kg | 353 mm | 114 | 716 L | View product |
 | 00084 | 1370 x 900 x 920 | 1300 x 820 x 680 | 1000 kg | 353 mm | 107 | 725 L | View product |
 | 00083 | 1370 x 900 x 920 | 1300 x 820 x 680 | 1000 kg | 353 mm | 107 | 725 L | View product |
 | H3ME | 1600 x 650 x 540 | 1590 x 640 x 295 | N.A. | N.A. | 90 | 300,19 L | View product |
 | H6ME | 1600 x 650 x 840 | 1590 x 640 x 595 | N.A. | N.A. | 115,00 | 605,47 L | View product |
 | 3B600M | 1600 x 800 x 600 | 1520 x 720 x 377 | N.A. | N.A. | 95,50 | 412,59 L | View product |
 | 00126 | 1600 x 1150 x 670 | 1490 x 1040 x 420 | 1000 kg | 353 mm | 126 | 650 L | View product |
 | 00114 | 1600 x 1150 x 920 | 1490 x 1040 x 680 | 1000 kg | 353 mm | 170 | 1050 L | View product |
 | 00124 | 1600 x 1150 x 920 | 1490 x 1040 x 680 | 1000 kg | 353 mm | 180 | 1050 L | View product |
 | 00105 | 1600 x 1150 x 1070 | 1524 x 1064 x 835 | 1000 kg | 353 mm | 154 | 1350 L | View product |
 | 00085 | 1600 x 1150 x 1070 | 1530 x 1070 x 835 | 1000 kg | 353 mm | 147 | 1370 L | View product |
 | SLI---1200 | 1600 x 1200 x 930 | 1520 x 1120 x 700 | N.A. | N.A. | 150 | 1191,68 L | View product |
 | SLI---1271/3S975M | 1600 x 1200 x 975 | 1520 x 1120 x 754 | N.A. | N.A. | 145 | 1283,61 L | View product |
 | SLI---1101/4S750M | 1900 x 1200 x 750 | 1820 x 1120 x 530 | N.A. | N.A. | 160 | 1080,35 L | View product |
 | 00079 | 1950 x 1150 x 1070 | 1860 x 1050 x 830 | 1000 kg | 353 mm | 173 | 1620 L | View product |
 | 00087 | 2300 x 1300 x 1070 | 2210 x 1200 x 785 | 1500 kg | 423 mm | 245 | 2080 L | View product |
 | 00089 | 2300 x 1600 x 1350 | 2210 x 1500 x 1075 | 1500 kg | 423 mm | 284 | 3530 L | View product |
 | SLI---2000/5S975M | 2400 x 1200 x 975 | 2280 x 1110 x 730 | N.A. | N.A. | 276 | 1847,48 L | View product |
 | 00069 | 2500 x 1150 x 920 | 2410 x 1050 x 635 | 1500 kg | 423 mm | 250 | 1610 L | View product |
Platform-type containers with completely open sides and 4 corner bars (also called metal racks or automotive racks)
Metal racks are widely used in the automotive industry. They are built from a metal platform with skids on the base, and the four corners have four metal bars.
Automotive racks are destined for packing heavy or oversized pieces and components, like various car body parts, leather pieces, front boards, mufflers, engines and drives, various modules, car transmissions, chairs, suspensions, etc., which need supplementary protection.
The platform-type containers are successfully used in the production and assembly lines, ensuring a high density of packed products. Ergonomic, changing the insert models between them is done quickly and easily.
They are designed for high compatibility with many types of inserts and separators. Only the dunnage differs according to the packed product.
This brings low costs with packaging, especially considering a platform’s service life of up to 20 years.
| Reference | External dimensions (mm) | Internal dimensions (mm) | Maximum load (kg) | Folded height (mm) | Weight (kg) | Volume (L) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 2S870P | 1200 x 1000 x 870 | 1120 x 920 x 672 | N.A. | N.A. | 81 | 692,43 L | View product |
 | SLI---1210/SLI1210 | 1200 x 1000 x 975 | 1098 x 898 x 775 | N.A. | N.A. | 83 | 764,15 L | View product |
 | SLI---1612/SLI1612 | 1600 x 1200 x 975 | 1498 x 1098 x 775 | N.A. | N.A. | 110 | 1274,72 L | View product |
Metal containers for the auto industry are of several types:
- Containers with metal wire walls, mesh type (also called wire containers or wire mesh containers)
- Containers with closed metal walls (also called steel containers)
- Platform-type containers, with entirely open sides and four vertical bars in the corners (also called metal racks or automotive racks)
These models meet the critical returnable packaging needs of this sector.
Metallic automotive containers are stackable, optimizing space during transport or storage. They can be foldable or rigid and can have access doors, label holders, plastic contact areas, and they may be galvanized or painted in an electrostatic filed.
They are very sturdy and offer a high level of flexibility in configuration.
Metal packaging for automotive is used with various types of dunnage or separators: textiles, Evolon, Tyvek, technologic foams, Duraflex, Triplex, thermoformed trays, cellular plastic (known as corrugated plastic or alveolar plastic) etc.
They are used for large parts, like windshields, car body parts, chairs, boards, engines, tires, and radiators, but also for small items, like mirrors, wheels, wipers, gearboxes, different other internal components, etc.
Generally, the auto industry’s transport metal containers are produced in standardized dimensions, regulated by car manufacturers (Renault, Nissan, VW, Peugeot Citroën, Daimler etc.).
Standardization helps with the quick placement of orders and streamlines supply, production/assembly activities, storage, and transport. Still, the most important fact is that the products are safe in their custom-tailored packaging caring for all their particular needs.
Main advantages:
- Due to their extended service life, they lower costs with the packaging in the long term. Replacement of metal containers due to damage is minimum
- They are effortlessly configured in particular dimensions or for oversized and complex pieces and components
- Reduced costs with transport due to their stackability and foldability but also their efficient use of interior space
- Increased productivity following the LEAN intralogistics organizing principles, providing easy and quick access to the products placed inside