SICK enhances production logistics
with Utz containers and KNAPP automation
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- SICK optimizes production logistics with Utz
Executive summary
SICK AG, a global leader in sensor technology, partnered with Utz to optimize material flow and logistics at its Kunsziget facility in Hungary. Over a 20-year collaboration, Utz supplied more than 100,000 durable, automation-ready EUROTEC bins, enabling seamless integration with automated handling systems and supporting SICK’s drive for efficient, reliable production logistics.
The Client
SICK is one of the world's leading manufacturers of sensors and sensor solutions for industrial applications. With over 11,000 employees worldwide, the company develops innovative technologies that enable automation, quality assurance, and safety across industries including automotive, logistics, and manufacturing.
At its production facility in Kunsziget, Hungary, SICK manufactures high-precision sensors and components. The site has grown significantly over the past two decades, requiring scalable logistics solutions to support increased output and advanced automation systems.
The challenge
As SICK expanded its manufacturing capacity in Kunsziget, the company encountered several operational challenges:
- Material flow complexity: With multiple production lines running simultaneously, SICK needed a reliable system to transport components, work-in-progress items, and finished goods between workstations and storage areas.
- Automation requirements: SICK's facility uses automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and conveyor systems to move materials. The containers had to integrate seamlessly with these systems without causing disruptions or requiring manual intervention.
- Durability concerns: High-frequency use meant containers needed to withstand repeated handling, stacking, and transport without degrading. Any container failure could lead to damaged parts, production delays, and increased costs.
- Identification and traceability: Clear, permanent labeling was essential for tracking materials throughout the production process. Labels had to remain legible despite exposure to industrial conditions including temperature variations and handling wear.
The solution
Utz partnered with SICK to supply a comprehensive container solution built around the EUROTEC bin in 600x400x220mm dimensions. This project was realized in close collaboration with KNAPP, which provided advanced automation technologies including material handling and storage systems that form the backbone of SICK’s logistics infrastructure. Over the past 20 years, Utz has delivered more than 100,000 units which integrate seamlessly with KNAPP’s automated systems, supporting SICK's growing operations.
Double welded bottom for maximum durability
The EUROTEC bins feature a double welded bottom construction that significantly enhances structural integrity. This design reinforces the base of each container, allowing it to handle heavy loads without deformation or failure.
For SICK, this meant containers could be stacked multiple levels high in storage areas and transported fully loaded on AGVs without risk of bottom failure. The reinforced base also extends the container's lifespan, reducing replacement costs and minimizing waste.
In-mould labeling for permanent identification
Each EUROTEC bin includes in-mould labeling (IML), a process where labels are integrated into the container during manufacturing. Unlike adhesive labels that can peel or fade, IML labels become part of the container itself.
This permanent labeling solution provides several advantages:
- Clear identification: Labels remain legible throughout the container's lifecycle, ensuring accurate tracking and sorting
- Resistance to wear: IML labels withstand repeated handling, temperature changes, and exposure to industrial environments
- Customization: Labels can include company branding, barcodes, QR codes, or specific handling instructions
For SICK's operations, IML labeling enabled precise material tracking across production lines and simplified inventory management.
Automation compatibility
The EUROTEC bins conform to the 600x400mm European standard, making them fully compatible with SICK's automated handling equipment. The containers integrate seamlessly with conveyor systems, AGVs, and automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS).
Standardized dimensions ensure consistent handling across the facility, reducing the risk of jams or misalignment in automated systems. This compatibility supports SICK's lean manufacturing approach by maintaining continuous material flow.
Results
- Enhanced operational reliability: The double welded bottom construction eliminated container failures, preventing production disruptions and maintaining consistent material flow across all lines.
- Improved tracking accuracy: In-mould labeling provided permanent identification that remained legible throughout each container's lifecycle, reducing sorting errors and improving inventory visibility.
- Seamless automation integration: Standardized dimensions and robust construction allow containers to move smoothly through automated systems, minimizing manual intervention, and supporting SICK's lean manufacturing goals.
- Extended container lifespan: The durable construction of EUROTEC bins reduced replacement frequency, lowering total cost of ownership and supporting SICK's sustainability objectives through reduced waste.
- Scalable solution: Over 100,000 containers delivered across 20 years demonstrate the solution's ability to scale alongside SICK's business growth without compromising quality or performance.
20
+ years of partnership
100000
+ containers delivered
Conclusion
SICK's partnership with Utz demonstrates how the right container solution can support complex manufacturing operations over the long term. By combining durable construction, permanent labeling, and automation compatibility, Utz EUROTEC bins have become an integral part of SICK's production logistics infrastructure.
As SICK continues to expand its manufacturing capabilities and adopt new automation technologies, the flexibility and reliability of Utz containers will remain essential to maintaining efficient operations.
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