NOK 15 million in annual savings

Challenge – New requirements for actual core component
Close to 90% of Norway Post's activities are exposed to competition. More and more areas are being fully liberalised within the EU and EEA, and Norway Post must develop its business to make it more efficient and competitive. The goal of Norway Post is to be nothing less than the leading communication and logistics group within the Nordic market. This is where the load carriers enter the picture, as the very foundation of the value chain. The need for a more ergonomic and efficient system was expressed and a project to develop new load carriers was started in 2004.

Solution – Better working situation makes for better efficiency
The new load-carrying system has unique ergonomics, which improves the work day for the 14,000 employees of Norway Post. This major innovation is based on the Lego principle and makes the consolidated shipment of letters and packages possible. The cassette can be handled manually by the post delivery staff, and automatically in production. A special trolley has been developed for manual moving of standard pallets, and ensures good coordination between logistics equipment and manual work. The combination of separate post cassettes and standard supported load carriers means that the special requirements of Norway Post are addressed at the same time as allowing several logistics products to be integrated.

Result – Major reductions in costs and CO2 emissions
The new load carriers have many measurable benefits. Handling is made easier and involves fewer manual repetitions, there is less transporting, lower storage costs, less reloading and fewer repairs – in total, savings are estimated at NOK 15 million annually. 70% more letters are sent per pallet place at the same time as consolidated shipments and compacting have increased. This gives major reductions in transport volumes, which in turn gives environmental benefits in the form of reduced CO2 emissions, dust particles and fuel. Moreover, the new cassettes are made from recycled old cassettes and are designed for simple material recycling. Additional undefined benefits also arise in the form of reduced absence due to sickness, all thanks to the load carriers being smaller, lighter and giving major ergonomic benefits to the user. The industrial design has in other words given significant added value to Norway Post and to society.

 
Category: Product

Company: Norway Post

Project group company: Norway Post: Cathrine Laksfoss, Project Director; Petter Andresen, Procurement Manager; Knut Helge Teppan, concept design; Kjetil Jordheim, Project Manager: concept and development; a large number of production staff, drivers, postal delivery staff and other workers at Norway Post have contributed in terms of testing and have given feedback so that the products have been adapted to the requirements and functionality across the entire value chain in Norway Post.

Design: Inventas Trondheim as

Project group design company: Inventas Trondheim as: Morten Wexels Riser, Product Developer; Einar K. Selvig, Project Manager; Rolf Sellesbakk, Design Manager.

Award / year: Design Effect Award - 2010

Category: Recipients