Thermoformed Parts in Practice

Optimizing Intralogistics – How Trays Improve Your Intralogistics Processes

Rising customer demands, flexibility needs, and resource efficiency goals require companies to constantly improve intralogistics. To remain competitive and sustainable, they must optimize material flows, minimize handling times, and implement efficient storage and transport.


Author Avatar

Sarah Guaglianone

Updated on September 30, 2026

Intralogistik mit Trays optimieren
Share

Optimizing intralogistics – Key facts at a glance

  • Intralogistics organizes and controls all material and information flows within a company site in order to make processes more efficient and reduce costs.
  • Thermoformed plastic trays support transport, handling, organization, and storage, helping to speed up workflows, reduce errors, and make optimal use of space.
  • Trays are reusable, versatile, and sustainable, further increasing the efficiency and environmental friendliness of internal logistics.

→ Request a tray for your intralogistics now

→ Generate a 3D tray for your intralogistics now


What Is Intralogistics?

Intralogistics refers to the organization of all material and information flows within a company’s premises. It includes warehouse movements, inventory control, and internal goods transport but excludes external logistics processes such as distribution and delivery.

Intralogistics covers the planning, execution, and optimization of internal material handling to ensure seamless operations and cost efficiency.

Prozesse, um die Intralogistik zu optimieren

What Does Intralogistics Include?

Intralogistics includes all processes related to the flow of materials and information within a company. This covers the organization, control, and execution of internal goods movement as well as warehousing and inventory management.

Core Logistics Processes

A key part of intralogistics is the picking and provision of goods. In addition, it includes material flow control and the continuous optimization of transport routes and storage capacities. Modern companies are increasingly using conveyor technology and warehouse automation to make processes more efficient.

Process Optimization Through Technology

To manage intralogistics reliably, digital systems are used. These include:

  • Warehouse management systems (WMS) for inventory control
  • Material flow control systems for managing conveyor systems
  • Automated systems for robotics and conveyor technology
  • Data analytics and AI for optimizing inventory levels, routes, and throughput times

The Importance of Intralogistics for Internal Goods Flow

The areas of intralogistics are therefore diverse and require continuous optimization. Plastic trays are used to support the internal transport of products and ensure optimal storage. In the next section, you will learn how thermoformed trays help optimize intralogistics.

How Deep-Drawn Trays Optimize Your Intralogistics

Intralogistics solutions are responsible for the planning, control, execution, and monitoring of all relevant processes. Through suitable measures, internal logistics aims to increase efficiency, ensure smooth coordination, and reduce costs in the long term. Thermoformed plastic trays are a key tool for achieving these goals.

Schwarzes Tray mit durchsichtigem Deckel zur Intralogistik Optimierung

Improved Transport and Handling

Thermoformed plastic transport trays are used to optimize intralogistics and support the internal transport of products. The trays, also known as workpiece carriers, are used within the production facility to transport semi-finished components, assemblies, or products from one workstation, machine, or system to the next. Each tray is specifically adapted to the conveyor technology and intralogistics processes.

Ergonomic Handling Through Form-Fit Cavities and Grip Recesses

Trays make machine-based or manual loading easier for your employees. They are equipped with form-fit cavities and grip recesses on the sides to ensure optimal transport within your industrial operations. Their lightweight design enables easy handling and reduces the need for additional transport resources.

Tray with recessed grips
Tray with recessed grips

Efficient Organization

Tray mit Farbstreifen
Tray with color stripes

Plastic trays enable structured organization and sorting of products. Color-coded trays or labeled inserts enhance identification, reducing search times and errors in logistics operations.

Optimal Space Utilization

Stapelbare Trays für die Optimierung der Intralogistik
Stackable trays

Plastic trays are stackable, enabling space-saving and secure storage in the warehouse. Customized packing densities, meaning the number of items per tray packaging, also make inventory processes easier.

Maximum Packing Density

The maximum packing density is usually determined by the requirements of your application, the technical limitations of thermoforming, and the capabilities of the system or robot in automated production lines.

Based on these specifications, the available surface area is filled with form-fit cavities as efficiently as possible to achieve optimal utilization. This is how you determine the right cavities for your workpiece carrier.

Sustainability and Reusability

Reusable plastic trays offer a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to disposable packaging. Unlike single-use solutions, trays can be used multiple times, significantly reducing waste and lowering costs.

Additionally, plastic trays are often fully recyclable, allowing them to be processed into recycled materials (regranulate) for further use.

Trays als Mehrwegverpackungen
Trays as reuasable packaging

Versatility and Customization

The versatility of trays is another advantage in intralogistics. They are available in various sizes and designs and can be adapted to the specific requirements of different industries.

Application Areas of Plastic Trays

Whether for transporting medical devices or storing food in the food industry, trays offer the flexibility needed to optimize intralogistics processes.


Optimizing Intralogistics with Trays – A Conclusion

Plastic trays play a critical role in enhancing efficiency and sustainability in intralogistics. Their impact on safe and efficient storage and transport, along with their reusability, versatility, and organizational benefits, makes them an essential part of modern logistics operations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Trays in Intralogistics

What is intralogistics and why is it important?

Intralogistics refers to all processes that control the flow of materials and information within a company. It is important because it helps make operations more efficient, reduce costs, and organize the internal flow of goods smoothly.

What advantages do plastic trays offer in intralogistics?

How do I choose the right tray for my production processes?

How can trays optimize the storage and transport of products?

Are plastic trays reusable and sustainable?

How do trays differ across industries?

How does the integration of trays into automated production lines work?

Further Resources

Tray Generator Blog Banner English
News

Now live: Create Tray Designs Directly from CAD Data in Your Browser

Planning plastic trays for transport, storage, or automated manufacturing processes often starts with one key question: what should a suitable tray for the component actually look like? This is exactly what the new web-based 3D Tray Generator answers within seconds. Learn more in this article.
What Is a Workpiece Carrier? Definition & Applications
Thermoformed Parts in Practice

What Is a Workpiece Carrier? Definition & Applications

A constant challenge in the manufacturing industry is efficiently managing material flow throughout all assembly stages and departments. These logistical challenges can be optimally addressed by using product-specific workpiece carriers. Learn more in this article.
Projektplanung im Thermoforming
Platform & Features

Project Planning in Thermoforming – From Concept to Mass Production

From the initial idea to mass production, various factors must be considered in thermoforming project planning, including material selection, tool manufacturing, and quality control. This article provides a detailed look at how a thermoforming project with formary is executed.
Automatisierung der Produktion Banner
Thermoformed Parts in Practice

Automation of Production - How Trays Support Automation in Industry 4.0

Trays for automation are workpiece carriers that pass through an automated industrial system or production line, fulfilling various functions along the way.
 Design Guidelines for Plastic Thermoformed Parts – Top 13 Tips for Plastic-Optimized Construction
Thermoformed Parts in Practice

Design Guidelines for Plastic Thermoformed Parts – Top 13 Tips for Plastic-Optimized Construction

Plastic thermoforming is shaped by factors like material quality, temperature, pressure, speed, and tool geometry. With the right design principles, you can prevent errors in CAD and production. formary has gathered key tips to help you optimize your thermoformed parts.
Warehouse inventory with Trays
Thermoformed Parts in Practice

Warehouse Inventory: Tips & Tricks for Better Warehouse Organization and Efficiency with Trays

Warehouse inventories cost time, tie up staff, and often disrupt ongoing operations. This is especially true for small parts, serial components, or recurring components, where counting quickly becomes confusing if parts are stored loose in boxes or shelf compartments. Standard trays create a simple yet effective structure here for better warehouse organization. This article shows how trays optimize inventory counts in both the warehouse and production.
Standard-Trays vs. individuelle Tray-Lösungen_Banner Englisch
Thermoformed Parts in Practice

Standard Trays vs. Custom Tray Solutions: Which Option Is Best for Your Project?

Anyone sourcing plastic trays for transport, storage, or production quickly faces the question: choose a standard tray from the catalog or have a custom solution developed by a thermoforming specialist? Both options have their place. The right choice depends on the component, quantity, budget, and project requirements. This article explains which option is the right one for you.
10 Details a Thermoformer needs Banner
Thermoformed Parts in Practice

Checklist: 10 Details a plastic thermoformer needs from you

You’re planning to source plastic thermoformed parts and want to submit a request for a quote. But what information does a thermoforming supplier really need to provide you with a meaningful quote? Incomplete requests lead to follow-up questions, delay the quoting process, and complicate the technical evaluation. If you provide the right information from the start, you’ll receive a reliable estimate faster and avoid unnecessary back-and-forth.
Thermoforming Tooling for Plastic Thermoformed Parts: Structure, Types, and Manufacturing
Thermoformed Parts in Practice

Thermoforming Tool for Plastic Thermoformed Parts: Structure, Types, and Manufacturing

Plastic thermoforming is a process in which a plastic sheet or film is heated and shaped over a mold to create various three-dimensional objects. A crucial element in the thermoforming process is the tooling used to achieve the desired shape.

Thermoformed parts made simple. With Formary.

Get your non-binding quote today.