Ladehilfsmittel (LHM)
Also: LHM, Ladungsträger, Lademittel, Behälter, KLT, Kleinladungsträger, Palette, Gitterbox, Ladehilfsmittel
AI-generated
Load carriers (LHM) are reusable carriers such as pallets, mesh boxes, or small load carriers used for the transport and storage of goods.
Key facts
- Load carriers such as pallets, mesh boxes, and KLT form the physical foundation for transport and storage throughout the entire supply chain.
- Standardized load carriers increase compatibility with partners and automated systems, while custom dimensions add complexity to the cycle.
- In an open cycle, contractual exchange rules govern the balance between supplier and recipient; pool models transfer management to external service providers.
- The quality and dimensional accuracy of load carriers is critical in automated warehouses, as deviations can interrupt material flow.
- Shrinkage rates, repair costs, and inventory transparency are key control variables in the load carrier cycle.
What are load carriers?
Load carriers (LHM) are standardized or company-specific carriers in or on which goods are stored, transported, and handled. Typical examples include Euro pallets, industrial pallets, mesh box pallets, and small load carriers (KLT) in various standard sizes. In addition, there are specialized trays, containers, and racks tailored to specific products or automation systems. Unlike packaging materials, load carriers are generally designed to remain in circulation and be used multiple times.
How do load carriers work in practice?
Load carriers move through either a closed or open cycle: they are filled or accepted at goods receipt, pass through storage, picking, and transport processes, and then return to the sender, a pool, or a cleaning facility. In an open cycle — such as the exchange between supplier and recipient — exchange rules apply that are contractually defined. In a closed cycle, a single company or pool provider manages the entire circulation.
Managing this cycle involves several operational tasks:
- Inventory controlling per location and cycle partner
- Quality inspection and repair of damaged load carriers
- Shrinkage tracking and loss rate analysis
- Coordination with external pool providers in rental models
In automated warehouses, load carriers play a particularly important role: conveyor systems, storage and retrieval machines, and autonomous vehicles depend on defined dimensions, weights, and surface conditions. A non-compliant container can disrupt the entire material flow.
What matters when selecting load carriers?
The decision on a load carrier concept depends on several factors that vary in importance from company to company. Standardized load carriers increase compatibility with suppliers, freight carriers, and automated systems — though this is only an advantage if partners use the same standards. Company-specific custom dimensions may make sense for certain products but increase complexity in the cycle.
In terms of cost models, purchasing and pooling are the two main options: owning load carriers requires capital investment and maintenance, while pool models shift costs to variable rental fees and outsource cleaning. Which model is more economical depends on volume, loss rates, and the availability of pool stations within your own network — a blanket recommendation cannot be made here.
For warehouse planning and IT, it is also relevant whether load carriers are equipped with barcodes, RFID chips, or other identification media to enable seamless traceability and inventory transparency.
Related terms
- Automatisches Kleinteilelager (AKL)
The Automated Small Parts Warehouse (AKL) is a fully automated storage system for totes, trays and small parts, in which storage and retrieval operations are performed without manual intervention by stacker cranes or shuttle systems.
- Barcode
A barcode is a machine-readable optical code that represents information as a pattern of bars and spaces or as a two-dimensional matrix. It enables the automatic identification of items, load carriers, and documents along the entire supply chain.
- Bestandscontrolling
Inventory controlling refers to the systematic monitoring, analysis, and management of stock levels using defined key performance indicators. It connects logistics and procurement to reduce tied-up capital and ensure delivery capability.
- Bestandsführung
Inventory management refers to the system-supported administration and continuous updating of all warehouse and material stocks within a company. It forms the basis for planning, procurement and accounting – and ensures that the book inventory and physical inventory are in agreement at all times.
- Bestandsmanagement
Inventory management refers to the systematic planning, control, and monitoring of stock levels across the entire supply chain. The goal is to ensure delivery capability while keeping capital commitment and warehousing costs within economically viable limits.
- Blocklager
A block storage system is a storage method in which load units — typically pallets — are stacked directly on the floor in rows and blocks without any racking structure.
- Bodenlagerung
Floor storage refers to the storage of goods directly on the floor, without the use of racking systems. Pallets, stacks, or marked floor positions serve as the basic structure for area organization.
- Chaotische Lagerhaltung
Chaotic storage is a warehousing principle in which items are not stored in fixed, pre-assigned locations, but are instead dynamically placed in any available, suitable slot in the warehouse. A warehouse management system handles the control and tracking of all storage locations.
- Charge
A batch is a uniquely identifiable quantity of products manufactured or processed under identical conditions. It forms the basis for traceability, quality control, and legally required recall processes throughout the entire supply chain.
- Chargenrückverfolgung
Batch traceability refers to the complete and uninterrupted trackability of products and materials along the supply chain based on their batch assignment. It enables companies to quickly identify and selectively block all affected quantities in the event of a quality issue or recall.
- Cross-Docking
Cross-docking refers to a goods handling process in which items are transferred directly from inbound receiving to outbound shipping without interim storage. The goal is to reduce throughput times and avoid warehousing costs.
- Cross-Docking
Cross-docking is a logistics method in which goods are transferred directly from inbound to outbound transport at a transshipment point, without going through conventional put-away and storage.
- Distributionslager
A distribution center is a type of warehouse that consolidates goods and prepares them for targeted delivery to customers, branches, or downstream locations.