Easing the strain on your back during the e-commerce boom:
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16.09.26 | Reading time: 4 minutes
Online sales of building materials are growing steadily. More and more customers are conveniently ordering even heavy materials, such as bags of tile adhesive or concrete, online and having them delivered directly to their homes or to the building site.
At the building materials supplier Löcken Baustoffe & Baumarkt GmbH & Co KG this trend led to a rapid increase in parcel volumes at the Schüttorf site and, consequently, greater demands on dispatch logistics. To make the handling of heavy goods more ergonomic and to provide long-term relief for the team, Löcken opted to use our vacuum lifting technology
| Challenges | Achievements |
| High volume of shipments, with bags weighing up to 25 kg | Noticeable physical relief during repetitive lifting tasks |
| Peak delivery volumes of up to 1,500 parcels a day | Ergonomic handling with minimal effort |
| Heavy physical strain on the backs of logistics staff | Full range available via online delivery |
| The risk of having to reduce the online product range due to weight restrictions | Quick onboarding and seamless process integration |
Who is Löcken Baustoffe & Baumarkt GmbH & Co KG?
Löcken Baustoffe & Baumarkt GmbH & Co KG is a well-established building materials supplier and DIY store operator based in Schüttorf, Lower Saxony. In addition to its traditional specialist and retail outlets in the local area, the company serves customers throughout Germany and in other European countries, including Austria and France, via its online shop.
At a glance: Löcken Building Materials & DIY Store
- Location: Spelle, Schüttorf, Emsbüren (Lower Saxony)
- Shipping volume: Up to 1,500 parcels per day during peak periods
- Product range: Full range, including heavy bagged goods such as cement, bags of concrete and tile adhesive
Why is the physical strain increasing in the online building materials trade?
Due to the boom in online retail, products are now being dispatched that used to be collected directly from DIY stores. In particular, lifting and repackaging bulky 25-kilogram sacks in large quantities places enormous strain on the spine and muscles. To protect the health of logistics staff and make the workplace more attractive, a technical solution was needed to simplify repetitive lifting tasks.
“You might be able to lift a cumbersome 25-kilogram sack of concrete once or twice without any trouble. But with large orders of up to 15 sacks, your back will eventually start to make itself felt. Especially at the start of the week, when we see peaks of up to 1,500 parcels a day, reducing the physical strain becomes a key issue.” — Christian Heissner, Store Manager at Schüttorf, Löcken Baustoffe & Baumarkt GmbH & Co KG
Why did Löcken choose the quickLIFT vacuum hose lifter?
During the selection process, Löcken compared various systems, including conventional cranes and alternative lifting aids. The deciding factors in favour of our system were its practical handling, the flexibility of our solution and the fact that our company is based locally.
“We tested the system using our own products. That way, we could be sure that the system would work for our specific application.” — Christian Heissner, Store Manager at Schüttorf, Löcken Baustoffe & Baumarkt GmbH & Co KG
In the end, the choice fell on the quickLIFT from our timLIFT range of hose lifters.
How does the quickLIFT vacuum hose lifter work when handling bagged goods?
Our quickLIFT is specifically designed for fast, repetitive pick-and-pack processes:
- One-hand operation: Suction, lifting, lowering and releasing the load are carried out intuitively using a single control.
- Special suction pad: A specially adapted suction pad grips even porous or uneven sack surfaces securely and reliably.
- Modular system: The hose lifter can be flexibly adapted to various items to be lifted – including not only sacks but also cardboard boxes, panels, drums and canisters.
How quickly can Timmer’s lifting technology be integrated into logistics?
Around eight weeks after the contract was awarded, the hose-lifting system was installed in the dispatch area in Schüttorf. Commissioning went smoothly and without disrupting ongoing logistics processes. A total of eight members of staff in the dispatch department were trained in the operation of our system and have been using it on a daily basis ever since.
“The system is largely self-explanatory; there was no need for extensive training.” — Christian Heissner, Store Manager at Schüttorf, Löcken Baustoffe & Baumarkt GmbH & Co KG
FAQ vacuum hose lifter
Frequently asked questions
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What benefits does the vacuum lifter offer for processes and staff?
The use of our vacuum technology not only protects the health of staff, but also safeguards the business model of the online retail. Without vacuum lifting technology, Löcken would have had to consider limiting its online retail business to lighter items. Thanks to the quickLIFT, even heavy building materials can continue to be dispatched profitably and in a staff-friendly manner.
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Why is the use of Timmer vacuum hose lifters particularly efficient in the building materials trade?
In the modern building materials trade, such as at the Löcken Baustoffe site in Schüttorf, demands are rising sharply due to online dispatch and the transport of small packages. Vacuum hose lifters enable the quick, safe and back-friendly depalletising and repackaging of various materials without time-consuming manual effort.
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Can Timmer vacuum lifting aids be individually adapted to existing warehouse structures?
Yes, Timmer offers flexible turnkey solutions, including bespoke crane systems (e.g. slewing cranes or light crane systems). This allows the vacuum lifting technology to be optimally integrated into existing logistics processes, dispatch workstations and warehouse layouts.
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How does the timLIFT vacuum hose lifter make handling building materials easier?
The timLIFT vacuum hose lifter significantly reduces the strain on staff when lifting and loading heavy and unwieldy goods such as bagged goods, building materials or cardboard boxes. Thanks to its ergonomic one-handed operation, physical strain is minimised, sick leave is reduced and handling speeds in logistics and dispatch are sustainably increased.
CONCLUSION:
Sustainable ergonomics and process reliability in dispatch logistics
The Löcken case study is a striking example of how our modern vacuum lifting technology solves logistical challenges in e-commerce. Thanks to the combination of well-thought-out ergonomics, robust technology and ease of use, the building materials supplier is able to handle consistently high dispatch volumes safely and efficiently.
Find out more about our timLIFT series hose lifters:
Discover our products now.
In the media:
Please also read the detailed technical report in the specialist journal LOGISTIK HEUTE: Ergonomie: Löcken Baustoffe nutzt Vakuum-Schlauchheber von Timmer für schwere Lasten .
