Euro Containers and Plastic Storage Bins for Lean Manufacturing in Ireland
Industrial storage containers and plastic storage bins are the foundation of visual control, material flow, and organised production environments.
ATC supplies durable, stackable, and standardised industrial storage containers, Euro bins, and plastic storage bins for manufacturing, assembly, pharmaceutical, and engineering environments across Ireland.
Whether you are implementing Kanban, improving line-side organisation, or upgrading your internal logistics, the right container system directly impacts flow, safety, and productivity.
What Is an Industrial Storage Container?
An industrial storage container is a reusable, high-strength plastic bin or tote designed for storing, transporting, and controlling materials within manufacturing and warehouse environments.
Unlike generic storage boxes, industrial containers and stackable plastic bins are:
- Dimensionally standardised
- Stackable and modular
- Load-rated for industrial use
- Compatible with pallet and racking systems
- Designed for repeat handling in production environments
What Are Storage Containers Used for in Manufacturing?
Industrial storage containers and plastic storage bins are commonly used for:
- Work-in-progress (WIP) control
- Small parts storage and component kitting
- Kanban replenishment systems including two-bin Kanban
- Line-side storage and picking bin organisation
- Finished goods staging
- Tool and equipment organisation
- Internal logistics between departments
In Lean environments, containers support visual management and reduce handling waste.
Our Storage Container Range
We supply a wide range of industrial containers, Euro bins, and stackable plastic bins suitable for manufacturing environments across Ireland.
Euro Containers and Euro Bins
Standardised footprint containers (600x400mm, 400x300mm, 300x200mm) designed for pallet compatibility and efficient stacking. Also known as Eurobox or KLT-format containers, these are the most common choice for Lean and automated manufacturing environments.
Stackable Plastic Bins and Containers
Heavy-duty containers designed for stable vertical stacking and efficient space utilisation.
Open-Front Picking Bins
Designed for line-side access, component kitting, and small parts storage where fast retrieval and visual stock control are required.
ESD Containers and ESD Bins
Electrostatic discharge-safe containers and bins for electronics assembly and sensitive components.
Lidded Containers
Secure storage for transport, pharmaceutical environments, or controlled conditions.
Nestable Containers
Space-saving containers for return logistics and storage when empty.
All containers are available in multiple heights and load capacities. Typical load ratings range from 20 kg to 60 kg per container, depending on size and configuration.
How Storage Containers Support Lean Manufacturing
Containers are not just storage. They are flow tools.
In Lean systems, storage containers and plastic bins enable:
Visual Inventory Control
Standard container sizes create immediate visibility of stock levels.
Kanban Replenishment
Two-bin Kanban systems and signal cards integrate directly with standardised container formats.
Reduced Motion Waste
Line-side positioning of picking bins and stackable containers eliminates unnecessary walking and searching.
Standardised Work
Defined container sizes remove variation and simplify replenishment.
FIFO Management
Clearly designated containers prevent overproduction and ageing stock.
Why the Container Is Not the Decision
Most teams treat container selection as a purchasing task. Pick a size. Order a quantity. Move on.
That approach creates problems that show up later, and they are expensive to fix.
The wrong container at the wrong station creates motion waste. Poor sizing disrupts Kanban replenishment logic. Inconsistent footprints break racking compatibility. Containers chosen without reference to handling frequency cause ergonomic risk. None of these failures appear on the purchase order. They appear on the production floor, weeks after the boxes arrive.
The container is one component in a material flow system. Its value depends entirely on how it fits the process around it.
ATC works with manufacturing teams to define the system first. Container specification follows from that. The questions that matter are not about the box. They are about the process it serves: what is the replenishment trigger, what is the handling method, what does the workstation demand, and how does the flow move between departments.
Getting those answers right before ordering prevents waste that no container, however well made, can fix after the fact.
How to Choose the Right Storage Container
Selecting the correct container depends on operational requirements.
Consider the following:
Part Dimensions
The container footprint should allow easy retrieval without overfilling. For small parts storage, open-front picking bins are often the correct choice over fully enclosed containers.
Load Capacity
Ensure the container supports the total weight of parts plus stacking loads.
Handling Method
Manual handling, trolley transport, pallet movement, or automation.
Environment
Food-grade, pharmaceutical storage, cleanroom, or ESD requirements. Containers for pharmaceutical and cleanroom environments must meet specific material and hygiene standards. ATC can advise on the correct specification for regulated environments.
Stacking Height
Determine maximum vertical storage to maintain safety and accessibility.
ATC can review your layout and recommend a standardised container system aligned with workflow, replenishment logic, and ergonomic requirements.
Operational Benefits
- Reduced searching time across assembly and small parts storage
- Clear FIFO and two-bin Kanban control
- Improved ergonomics at point of use
- Faster replenishment visibility
- Protection of sensitive or ESD components in compliant bins
Why Choose ATC for Storage Containers?
ATC does not simply supply containers and plastic bins. We support manufacturing teams in improving material flow.
We understand:
- Lean implementation
- Line-side optimisation using Euro bins, picking bins, and stackable containers
- Modular workstation integration
- Two-bin Kanban design
- Visual management systems
Containers are one element of a wider operating system. Our role is to ensure they support measurable productivity gains, not create unmanaged inventory.
We supply industrial storage containers and plastic storage bins to pharmaceutical, medical device, electronics, and general manufacturing facilities across Ireland.
Request a Quote or Layout Review
Most container problems are system problems. Wrong size, wrong position, wrong replenishment logic. They look like a purchasing decision until they show up as production waste.
If you are implementing Lean material flow, upgrading line-side storage, or moving to a two-bin Kanban system, ATC will review your layout and specify the right container system before you order a single bin.
We can:
- Specify Euro containers and plastic bins aligned to your workstation and pallet system
- Design two-bin Kanban replenishment logic into your container selection
- Recommend pharmaceutical-grade or ESD-compliant containers for regulated environments
- Supply bulk quantities of stackable Euro containers and plastic bins across Ireland
One conversation with our team will tell you whether your container requirement is a product order or a system design decision. Most of the time it is both.
Contact our team today to discuss your requirements.
Frequent Questions
Industrial storage containers store, protect, and present parts and materials at the point of use in manufacturing, reducing searching time, preventing damage, and improving visual control. In assembly and kitting environments, the right container system directly supports material flow, FIFO control, and Lean replenishment.
Storage containers support Lean manufacturing by enabling visual inventory control, standardised work, and two-bin Kanban replenishment. Standard container sizes create immediate stock visibility, labelling reduces motion waste, and modular stackable designs keep workstations organised and reconfigurable as processes change.
ATC supplies Euro containers, stackable plastic bins, open-front picking bins, ESD containers, lidded containers, and nestable containers for manufacturing environments across Ireland. Options include viewing panels, lids, label clips, dividers, and multiple colours to support visual management. ESD-compliant material is available for electronics assembly and sensitive component storage.
Yes. ATC supplies ESD-compliant storage containers and bins using electrically conductive materials suited to electronics assembly and other ESD-sensitive environments. These protect components from electrostatic discharge while maintaining organised, point-of-use storage.
Yes. Containers can be configured to suit your parts, handling method, and workstation layout, including access orientation, colour coding, and identification method. The goal is to fit the container to the process, not force the process to fit the container.
Start with the parts you are storing, the point-of-use location, the replenishment method, handling frequency, and any environment constraints such as cleanroom, pharmaceutical, or ESD. ATC can advise via the contact form or by phone to match the correct container system to your process.
 Standard Euro containers typically support between 20 kg and 60 kg per container for evenly distributed loads. Reinforced heavy-duty versions support higher loads in static stacking applications. ATC can advise on the correct specification based on your part weight, stacking height, and handling method.
Yes. ATC's Euro container range is manufactured to standardised footprint dimensions including 600x400mm and 400x300mm formats, ensuring full compatibility with Euro pallets and most industrial racking systems. ATC can confirm compatibility with your specific pallet or racking configuration if required.
Yes. ATC supplies storage containers suited to pharmaceutical, medical device, and cleanroom environments across Ireland. Container selection for regulated environments takes account of material compliance, hygiene requirements, and handling method. Contact ATC to discuss the correct specification for your facility.
Euro containers follow standardised 600x400mm base dimensions and are the most common format for general manufacturing, warehousing, and Lean environments. KLT containers are a subset of the Euro standard, originally developed for the automotive industry, with tighter dimensional tolerances and specific stacking geometry. Both are compatible with Euro pallets and standard racking. ATC can advise on which format suits your process and handling system.
Do you need advice about the most suitable storage containers for your process?
Our team will work with you to determine the best solution to suit your needs. Fill in the form and our specialists will contact you as soon as possible.
Unit 99,
Shannon Industrial Estate,
Shannon,
Co. Clare,
V14 W242,
Ireland
T: +353-61-708140 [email protected]
Enterprise Ireland Lean Service Provider
