Wholesale Logistics: Customer Orders Delivered Today by Direct Drive

• Spare parts for plant maintenance
• Seals, bearings and drive belts
• Fixings in cartons and small load carriers
• Packaging and corrugated cartons
• Disposable tableware and catering non-food
• Copier paper and office supplies
• Workwear and PPE
• Picked mixed pallets
• Shortfalls from the morning route

• A seal for a pump at Chempark Leverkusen

  An industrial wholesaler in Cologne-Porz has the mechanical seal for a stalled pump at Chempark Leverkusen in stock. It is fastest when the customer's contact on site registers the delivery with plant security; checking in at the gate without pre-registration is possible but takes longer. The driver needs an official ID in the original and a reference such as the delivery note or order number. The carton travels in a compact van, with gate, building and contact person on the order.

• Packaging for a caterer in Bonn

  A packaging wholesaler in Cologne-Niehl delivers meal trays, disposable tableware and transport boxes to a caterer in Bonn-Beuel who is equipping an event that evening. The goods are light but bulky, so load volume, not weight, is the limit. Instead of two runs in a small van, a Sprinter L2 with around 10 m³ of load space does the job. The caterer records the yard entrance, the time from which the kitchen is staffed, and that the cartons will be unloaded by hand.

• A morning-route shortfall in Cologne

  A workshop-supplies wholesaler's morning route was two mixed pallets short for a metalworking business in Cologne-Braunsfeld. The top-up goes out the same day in a van that takes up to three Euro pallets. The customer has a forklift in the yard – that is on the order, as is the agreement that no empty pallets will be exchanged. The proof of delivery with photos of both pallets goes to the sales office, which closes the shortfall with it.

Local courier service:KölnLeverkusenBonn

• Packing and loading: the sender's job

  Under Section 411 of the German Commercial Code (HGB), the sender must pack goods so they are protected against loss and damage. Section 412 HGB requires the sender to load, stow and secure them safely for transport unless circumstances or custom say otherwise; the carrier is responsible for operationally safe loading. For your warehouse that means pallets wrapped and strapped, cartons stackable, heavy items at the bottom. Before setting off, the driver checks that the load is secured as Section 22 of the German road traffic regulations (StVO) requires.

• Euro pallets and pallet exchange

  The EPAL Euro pallet measures 1,200 × 800 mm, weighs around 25 kg empty and carries up to 1,500 kg. German freight law does not oblige the carrier to exchange or return pallets – an exchange has to be agreed. Widely used are the 'Bonn' and 'Cologne' pallet-exchange clauses recommended by the shippers' and transport associations. Agree with your customer whether pallets are exchanged, note it on the order and record number and condition on a pallet note.

• Chilled goods and dangerous goods only after review

  Chilled food only travels once it has been confirmed that a suitably equipped vehicle is available. For dangerous goods, Section 410 HGB applies: the sender must inform the carrier in good time and in text form of the exact nature of the hazard and any precautions needed. In a wholesale range, aerosol cans, solvent-based adhesives, corrosive cleaners or lithium batteries can all be dangerous goods under ADR. Standard bookings must not contain undeclared dangerous goods – declare such items before booking.

• Settle receiving arrangements in advance

  Industrial parks control access through gatehouses. At Chempark, for instance, deliveries are only possible on working days between 6 am and 8 pm, and passengers who are not part of the driving crew are not allowed on site. Office buildings and shops, on the other hand, often have no dock and no forklift, so a pallet can only be unloaded from a van carton by carton. If you need a tail lift, say so when booking – it is available depending on the vehicle.

1. 01

   Create the order

   Enter warehouse address, recipient, receiving hours and delivery-note number, plus each package with dimensions and weight. You see the instant price and earliest pickup window before booking; business customers can also book via API.

2. 02

   Collection at dispatch

   The driver reports to the dock with the order number. Your warehouse loads the goods safely for transport, and the driver checks the load securing before leaving.

3. 03

   Direct drive to the customer

   No depot, no transhipment. Your sales office and the customer follow the vehicle in live tracking and can get goods-in ready.

4. 04

   Handover with proof

   The recipient signs digitally and the driver photographs the unloaded goods. File the time-stamped proof of delivery with the delivery note.

• Rush orders without an extra driver of your own

  Shortfalls, top-ups and orders after route cut-off go by direct drive, instead of sending a warehouse worker out in a car or asking the customer to wait until tomorrow. You only book the drives your own route cannot cover.

• Fixed price, invoicing, fixed routes

  You see the instant price before every booking, based on route and vehicle class. A [business account](/business) lets you book on invoice, and recurring routes – such as a daily afternoon round to regular customers – can be set up as standing orders.

• Proof that matches the delivery note

  Signature, time stamp and photos of the unloaded goods are available digitally after every delivery. When a customer reports a shortfall or transport damage, your sales office has the evidence to hand straight away.