EFFICIENT UNIT LOADS - ECR Community

Figure 48: Maximum weights and dimensions of trucks in the European Union
Country
Weight of
vehicle 1 (ton)
Length of trucks
(m) (2,3 & 4 axle)
Length of trailer combinations (m)
Austria 38 – 16.50 18.35 2.50 – 2.60 4
Belgium 44 12 16.50 18.35 2.60 4
Denmark 48 12 16.50 18.50 2.55 – 2.60 4
Finland 60 12 16.50 22 2.60 4
France 40 12 16.50 18.35 2.50 – 2.60 no limit
Germany 40 12 16.50 18.35 2.55 – 2.60 4
Greece 40 12 16.50 18.35 2.50 – 2.60 4
Ireland 40 12 16.50 18.35 2.50 – 2.60 4.25
Italy 44 12 16.50 18.35 2.50 – 2.60 4
Luxembourg 44 12 16.50 18.35 2.50 – 2.60 4
Netherlands 50 12 16.50 18.35 2.55 – 2.60 4
Norway 50 12.40 12.40 – 17 12.40 – 18.50 2.50 – 2.60 4.50
Portugal 40 12 16.50 18.35 2.50 – 2.60 4
Spain 40 12 16.50 18.35 2.50 – 2.60 4
Sweden 60 12 16.50 24 2.60 4.50
Switzerland 28 12 16.50 18.35 2.50 – 2.60 4
United Kingdom 35 12 16.50 18.35 2.50 – 2.60 4.2
Council Directive
96/53/EC
40/44 12 16.50 18.75 2.55 – 2.60 4
Source: A.T. Kearney Survey, Efficient Unit Loads project
• The only other modular classes of importance
in throughput volume terms are 400x200 and
300x100 mm. These two reflect the shop shelf
influence on dimensions of secondary unit
loads: replenishment units for small facings
• About one third of all picking activities
involves dimensions equal to or smaller than
120x100 mm. This picking only covers a small
fraction of all products (SKUs). It is worthwhile
mentioning that some retailers combine those
small units into larger (mainly reusable) unit
loads for shipment from distribution centre to
outlet
• A very small volume passes through retail
systems on Industry pallets. This is explained in
part by the under-representation of the
beverage category in the sample and the fact
that none of the four sampled retailers have
major operations in the Netherlands or in the
United Kingdom.
1/2 trailer 1/1 trailer
The Efficient Unit Loads Report 75
Width
Height
1 Maximum allowed irrespective of truck or trailer combination