Efficiency and ergonomics - the perfect formula for the perfect packing table!
Did you know that the CARGO packing table range was designed by AJ Products in collaboration with five students from the Industrial Department of Material Sciences at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden? In line with the growing e-commerce industry, AJ Products saw a need for a flexible product that could facilitate the manual handling and packaging of goods. The result was CARGO, a series of workbenches and packing tables that allows for a more efficient packing process and improves ergonomics for all users.
The students from Chalmers visited different companies of varying sizes and industries to study how warehouse work could be streamlined. They analysed workplace layouts, working heights and the time it took to complete certain tasks to form the basis of their product development.
"When we visited different warehouses, we saw that packing tables were rarely adapted to the type of business. The e-commerce industry is growing and the market requires flexible solutions for order handling and packaging. We saw clear problems with ergonomics and efficiency in the warehouses and, as such, have developed equally clear solutions to these problems", says Lisa Lindqvist, one of the students behind CARGO.
Smart features for flexible work
The CARGO range can easily be customised for different users and tasks. The goal of improving the working environment for all warehouse workers was the main focus for the entire project, which was carried out in collaboration with AJ Products' in-house designer Cecilia Stööp.
One major feature was for optional pull-out units and/or rollers integrated into the worktop. The pull-out unit provides an extra work surface and is especially useful when working with large goods as its lower height gives a better working position. Rollers make it easier to handle and rotate goods, thus preventing occupational injuries.
“All of the features of the CARGO range are there for a specific reason. For example, when we visited warehouses, we noticed that many workers packed the goods on top of a pile of bags that took up a large part of their work space. Therefore, we created a solution for bag storage that frees up the worktop so that the work surface could be used the way it should be and the work could be as efficient as possible”, explains Lisa.
Social aspects
The students from Chalmers also studied a number of social aspects as part of the CARGO project.
"Warehouse work is generally quite lonely and monotonous. We wondered how we could make it a more socialable experience, so we positioned the tables so that they were facing each other. As a result, workers could have eye contact with their colleagues, which in turn improved mood," said Lisa.
The CARGO packing tables and workbenches can be supplemented with a variety of accessories that allow the user to customise the table according to their needs - all for a more efficient, ergonomic working day.
