Innovative by tradition
By Marcus Schick I 7 minute read I Lead image: Durable
22/09/2025
The Durable Group, a specialist in office and workplace solutions, relies on intelligent logistics to control the flow of goods efficiently and digitally networked throughout Europe. For almost 50 years, DACHSER has been supporting the company with tailor-made transport solutions. Collaboration on innovation plays an important role in this – from the introduction of the barcode on packages to the use of e-trucks and a digital twin for optimal data and goods flows.
Order is half the battle, they say. The meaning of this simple wisdom becomes apparent at the latest when you want to write something down quickly, but once again the writing instrument cannot be found. And so order and overview are the foundation of a functioning workplace. Durable Hunke & Jochheim GmbH & Co. KG, founded in 1920 in Iserlohn near Dortmund, has made an international name for itself as a specialist in modern office and workplace solutions.
We have always pursued new goals hand in hand with Durable and looked for ways to become better and better.
High-tech down to the smallest detail
Products such as the Duraclip clip-on folder, which was launched in 1959 and allows documents to be stored without punching holes, as well as table lamps or a wide variety of modular organisation systems stand for efficiency at the desk. In order to supply customers throughout Europe on time and efficiently, equally efficient logistics processes are needed in the background. The cooperation with DACHSER plays a central role in this.
The partnership between Durable and the DACHSER branch in Dortmund has existed since 1975. What initially began with national distribution has developed over the decades into a Europe-wide networked logistics solution – with a high degree of digitalization and innovation. “We have always pursued new goals hand in hand with Durable and looked for ways to become better and better,” says Jürgen Sobkowiak, General Manager DACHSER Dortmund. Despite several generational changes, there has always been a stable and constant togetherness.
For over 100 years, Durable Hunke & Jochheim GmbH & Co. KG, headquartered in Iserlohn, has been developing and producing intelligent solutions for organization in the workplace. With classics such as the DURACLIP clip-on® folder and innovative products such as the LUCTRA® LED luminaire series, the company stands for quality, functionality and design. Durable employs 700 people worldwide with its own companies in France, Great Britain, the USA and Poland, among others.
Emission-free logistics: Heavy-duty e-trucks supply durable plant
A more recent milestone in the collaboration is the use of an all-electric heavy-duty electric truck. It is used for Durable’s factory supply and supplies the production in Kamen-Methler on a daily basis.
Because up to three trips a day are emission-free, this solution makes a measurable contribution to reducing the CO₂ footprint – a central goal of Durable’s sustainability strategy. “This is not only good for the environment, but also offers additional benefits for our customers, who are increasingly attaching importance to sustainability,” explains Michael Truß, Vice President Logistics / Procurement at Durable. It is therefore a good thing that DACHSER is planning to gradually expand the share of electrically powered vehicles.
1975
the long-standing cooperation between Durable and the DACHSER branch in Dortmund began.
Durable and DACHSER also work closely and trustingly together in the field of training. As part of a joint training program, Durable trainees complete parts of their logistics qualification at DACHSER. The aim is to deepen practical experience and strengthen the understanding of logistics processes in the long term. “This form of cooperation is a win for both sides,” says Jürgen Sobkowiak. “It creates closeness, trust and a common understanding across company boundaries.” This not only leads to a better understanding of the process for the trainees. “We have also increased the quality of the training overall,” confirms Michael Truß.
Scalable logistics solutions for growing requirements
Since the beginning of the partnership, Durable’s logistics network has been steadily expanded. Today, in addition to Germany, locations in Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom are also served by the DACHSER system. The comprehensive IT connection and seamless integration of the systems ensures optimal data availability and transparency for both Durable and DACHSER. The result: more flexibility and better controllability of the supply chain. For example, when it comes to drop shipments, efficient and cost-effective delivery directly from the manufacturer to the customer.
“One of the biggest challenges will be the integration of hybrid business processes,” says Michael Truß. “The combination of traditional and digital processes requires flexible and adaptable logistics solutions. DACHSER can once again support us here with its high level of IT networking and innovative technologies.” For Durable, the focus is on a “Europe-wide service for products that focuses on providing first-class service and products to our customers throughout Europe. This helps us to remain flexible and competitive and to meet the needs of our customers in the best possible way.”
Long-standing logistics partnership as a model for success
The joint innovative strength in the field of IT was already evident in the mid-nineties. At that time, Durable was one of the first customers to recognize the potential that DACHSER was tapping into with the introduction of the EAN-128 barcodes and the 18-digit number of the shipping unit (NVE) encoded in them – a now ubiquitous, established technology with high efficiency and practicality. Durable also wants to be on board at an early stage with the digital twin @ILO, with which DACHSER is taking processes in the transshipment warehouse to a completely new level. Preparations are already underway to provide packages with QR codes in the company’s own facilities in the future and to record them automatically.
And another important step in the cooperation is already imminent. At the beginning of 2026, DACHSER will open a new distribution center in the Unna-Ost industrial park near Dortmund – with goods handling and a 10,800 square meter warehouse. It is strategically located at the A1/A2 motorway junction and will be directly connected to the global DACHSER network. For Durable, this means further expansion of reliable capacities – and a partnership that focuses on growth and innovation. “The ever-increasing globalization requires seamless integration and coordination of international supply chains,” explains Michael Truß. “DACHSER will help us to cope with this complexity with its global presence and expertise in international logistics.”
