K-box Developed by Schaeffler Won the German Packaging Award 2006

The ¡°K-Box¡± packaging solution, a joint development of Schaeffler Group Industrial (INA/FAG) and Georg Utz GmbH, has won the German Packaging Award 2006. The K-Box prevailed against a total of 330 applicants and 51 nominated packaging solutions in the Transport Packaging category and is now qualified for participation in the World Star global packaging contest. The German Packaging Award is presented by the German Packaging Institute (dvi). The K-Box, which has been in use since spring 2006, is a universal returnable system that considerably simplifies the transport of rolling bearings from Schaeffler Group Industrial. The patented container is suitable for use with materials handling equipment and replaces more than 40 different kinds of non-returnable wooden packaging. Thanks to its robust design, it offers optimal protection during transport for the products which can weigh anything up to 150 kg, and prevents them from being contaminated with wood dust or shavings. An eccentric adjustment system compensates for differences in bearing height and diameter. This makes one box size fit all so that it can be used for various rolling bearing dimensions. The recipient can open the container quickly and easily without any tools and risk of injury. Return of empty K-Boxes is easy for the customer: In Germany the boxes - even individual ones - are picked up by the Schaeffler Group; in all other European countries, they are collected in quantities of 10 or more. In both cases, this service is free of charge for Schaeffler customers. The packaging specialists expect the containers to circulate an average of 20 times during their life cycle. As an incentive for customers to return the K-Box, the Schaeffler Group raffles off attractive prizes such as a dream holiday to the participants four times a year. So the recipients too are among the winners. The packaging award is given away in five different categories: transport packaging, sales packaging, displays or advertising packaging, design/equipment/refinements as well as prototypes. Evaluation criteria included functionality (technical aspects), degree of innovation (innovation, implementation in other sectors), emotionality (aesthetics, design, logo design) and economic efficiency as well as ecological aspects and security.