FIPA in practice: Tradition meets innovation

DeMolenwinkel.nl, a traditional family business known for its millstone-ground grain products, relies on innovative technology for its internal logistics: The Dutch online retailer uses the FIPALIFTmax vacuum tube lifter (www.fipa.com) to optimise the handling of bags and cartons in its warehouse and shipping area. The solution enables safe and ergonomic handling of bags and boxes weighing up to 25 kg, thereby ensuring greater efficiency and improved occupational safety.

The challenge: Tight spaces, heavy loads

For over 100 years, DeMolenwinkel.nl has been supplying high-quality products to bakeries, restaurants, health food stores and private customers from its historic grain mill in Bredevoort, Netherlands. With 30 silo cells and 2,500 m² of storage space, the company is ideally positioned to reliably supply customers in the Netherlands and Belgium. However, daily logistics were pushing the team to its limits as bags and boxes weighing up to 25 kg had to be moved manually. This was a time-consuming and labor-intensive process that also placed high ergonomic demands on employees. In addition, the low ceiling height meant that space in the warehouse was limited, which further complicated the flow of materials.

The solution: Flexible lifting technology with 360-degree application

At Empack, the leading packaging trade show in the Netherlands, the company found the right solution: the FIPALIFTmax vacuum tube lifter. This enables safe and ergonomic lifting of both cartons and bags. Two different load handling devices are used for maximum flexibility with changing geometries: a double rectangular vacuum cup for cartons in different formats and an oval sack foot with sealing foam for small and large sacks. A custom-made mounting plate combined with an articulated joint allows employees to move 360 degrees around a central column and flexibly operate two workstations.

The result: Efficiency and safety in everyday warehouse operations

The new system makes moving, palletising and depalletising cartons and bags much easier:

• Ergonomics: Reduced physical strain for employees
• Flexibility: Switch between cartons and bags without time-consuming changeovers
• Efficiency: Faster work and smoother material flow in the warehouse
• Safety: Minimised risk of injury thanks to intuitive operation

„For us, the FIPALIFTmax vacuum tube lifter is a real asset. It combines our tradition of craftsmanship with modern technology and helps our team to work quickly and reliably. That’s what our customers have come to expect from us for generations“, says Nico Woordes, owner of DeMolenwinkel.nl.

Hands-on at LogiMAT 2026

At LogiMAT 2026, the trade show for internal material flow, FIPA will be presenting a wide range of logistics products at its stand covering almost 50 square meters (Hall 7, Stand No. 7B21). The focus will be on lifting technology with the FIPALIFTswift and FIPALIFTmax tube lifters. Another highlight will be vacuum cups for bag handling, which are specially designed for handling bags and fast pick and place applications. With three vacuum cup series now available, FIPA offers a wide range of flat and bellows vacuum cups and has the right solution for every bag packaging application. Good to know: For handling cardboard boxes, e.g., in carton box erectors, FIPA also offers bellows vacuum cups with 1.5 and 2.5 folds made of wear-resistant TPU. These impress with their high suction power and long service life, even in heavy-duty applications.