Beverage and empties transportation: Full goods safely delivered, empties reliably returned
Beverage transportation involves the transport of full goods to retailers and the return of empties to the bottler. Both directions are technically demanding and must mesh seamlessly. This is exactly why we use certified trailers with beverage certificates and our own fleet. This allows us to bring your beverage pallets safely to their destination and pick up empties in the same cycle—predictable, personally managed, and from a single source. This security is backed by experience: we have been moving sensitive cargo since the 1950s, starting with regional milk and wood chip transports, and today as a logistics company with over six decades of practice. You will speak with dedicated dispatchers who know your routes, not a waiting loop.
Certified safety for full goods and empties
Every broken pallet costs you goods, time, and trouble with the retailer. Full beverage pallets involve high point loads and move during braking and cornering, especially with glass containers. Empties are light and tip over quickly if not positioned securely. To ensure both arrive safely, we rely on certified technology and trained load securing.
Certified trailers with beverage certificates
The trailers we use have a beverage certificate. It confirms reinforced body stability, as required by the high point loads and dynamics of beverage pallets. Technically, this suitability is based on proof according to DIN EN 12642 Code XL; this designation is also shown in our vehicle certificates. Specifically, we use 15 certified trailers and mega-trailers for this purpose, including those with a 3-meter loading height and a 24.5-ton payload. This creates capacity for full loads without compromising on stability.
Precise load securing, even for unstable empties
A certified body does not replace load securing; it complements it. How beverage products are to be secured in detail is regulated by the directive VDI 2700 Part 12. We load without gaps starting from the front wall, fix both full and empty containers, and pay attention to load distribution. This ensures that both the heavy full goods and the light, often wobbly empties remain in place during the journey, preventing breakage.
Returning empties: Circular logistics from a single source
Beverage logistics does not end at the retailer’s ramp. In addition to delivering full goods, we handle the return of empties to the bottler so that your stocks and production cycles remain in flow. This is more than just a return trip: reusable systems thrive on the cycle. A reusable glass bottle is refilled up to 50 times, a reusable PET bottle up to 25 times, as shown by the reusable cycle of German mineral wells . Every reliably returned pallet keeps this cycle in motion.
The return journey also counts ecologically. The reusable quota in 2023 was 34.3%, which is clearly below the legal target of 70% anchored in the Packaging Act . A tightly organized return of empties is therefore not a side issue, but part of sustainable logistics, which also relieves your floor space when empties do not pile up.
Flexibility through our own fleet
A decisive advantage for customers in the beverage industry is independence from subcontractors. We primarily rely on our own fleet. This gives you maximum control over quality and adherence to schedules because we know the condition, certificates, and capacities of our vehicles exactly.
- Reliable all year round: With our own fleet, we plan your tours proactively and maintain capacities for consistently reliable processing, instead of being dependent on available third-party vehicles at short notice.
- Trained drivers: Our drivers know the specifics of beverage logistics and ensure smooth processing at the loading and unloading points.
- One point of contact: A dedicated dispatcher plans the outward and return journey, knows your tours, and gets back to you quickly.
For special routes and larger volumes, we supplement our Europe-wide partner network without you having to change your point of contact.
Why choose Mönig for beverage and empties transportation?
- Certified trailers: Beverage certificate and reinforced body stability for heavy beverage pallets.
- Full goods and empties from a single source: Delivery and return in the same cycle, one process instead of two service providers.
- In-house fleet: short dispatch communication, reliable deadlines, predictable capacities all year round.
- From Sauerland, active nationwide: operating throughout Germany from our location in Sauerland, supplemented by experienced partners for destinations beyond Germany.
- Personal support: dedicated dispatchers who know your tours and get back to you quickly.
- Experience since the 1950s: over six decades of moving sensitive cargo.
Your beverage transport is part of our transportation logistics and falls under land transportation.
How your beverage transport works
01
Request for a Quote
You tell us the container type, quantity, route, and whether empties should be returned.
02
Consultation and planning
We select the appropriate certified trailer, plan the outward and return journey, and provide you with a non-binding offer.
03
Full goods delivery
We bring your beverages safely to their destination, nationally or via our Europe-wide network.
04
Empties return
In the same run, we pick up empties and return them to the bottler.
Your beverage transport in reliable hands
Frequently asked questions about beverage and empties transportation
What certification do vehicles need for beverage transportation?
Beverage vehicles require a body with sufficient stability for the high point loads of full pallets, proven by a beverage certificate based on DIN EN 12642 Code XL. The trailers we use meet this requirement, supplemented by load securing according to VDI 2700 Part 12.
Does Mönig use subcontractors for beverage transportation?
We primarily rely on our own fleet. This gives you the security that the vehicles are technically sound and certified, and that our trained drivers implement quality standards directly. For peak periods, we supplement with a Europe-wide partner network, while your point of contact remains the same.
Do you also handle the return of empties?
Yes. We organize the complete circular logistics: in addition to delivering full goods, we handle the return of empties to the bottler. This keeps your stocks and production cycles in flow, and empties do not block any space at your facility.
How much does beverage transportation cost?
Costs depend on the container type, quantity, route, and whether empties are being returned. Therefore, we do not work with standard prices. You will receive an individual, non-binding offer that fits your needs exactly. Describe your project to us, and we will get back to you quickly with a concrete proposal.
Contact us for more information
Contact person:
Alexander Schulz
