International supply chain technology group Körber is expanding its range of solutions through a partnership with robotics manufacturer Carrybots and has gained a major logistics contract with German retailer Beiersdorf.
Körber is now offering its customers Carrybots’ modular and cost-efficient transport robots as part of their flexible portfolio. A first joint project at a leading German automotive company is already in the initial phases.
Open for partnerships
Körber’s Supply Chain business is not only a technological pioneer but also actively seeks innovative partners, strengthening an ecosystem that offers a variety of customizable, end-to-end supply chain solutions. These solutions are seamlessly integrated into the value chains of Körber's customers and partners, ensuring optimal efficiency and performance.
The goal of the robotics collaboration is to strengthen both companies’ positions in intralogistics and promote mobile robots as a central part of highly integrated logistics solutions.
Robotics rise
Körber explained that customers around the world are facing a wave of novel challenges, including labour shortages, rapid growth, and increasing customer expectations. Mobile robot-based goods-to-person systems will play a key role in the solution to these challenges.
For Körber, leveraging their leading position in the field, the Carrybots mobile robots will offer perfect added value in particular use cases. Order-handling conveyors can be replaced with much more flexible “Herbies”. This is the Carrybots mobile robot, which is modular, flexible, and cost-effective, providing a smooth and intuitive entry into the world of mobile robots.
With Carrybots, Körber has found a new partner that meets its high standards. Carrybots was founded in 2021, and is backed by industry heavyweights including Schubert, Flexlog, and Gebhardt. Körber will now integrate Carrybots robot solutions in its own portfolio. Whether moving small goods or pallets, Körber and Carrybots will collaborate to design the most effective system for each customer. With this partnership, Körber is further solidifying its position as a leading integrator of mobile robot systems.
Automated distribution centre
Separately, Körber has been awarded a contract to supply a wide range of automated technologies in Beiersdorf’s new distribution centre in Leipzig, Germany, with the aim of setting new standards in logistics efficiency.
Beiersdorf, a German multinational company that manufactures personal-care products headquartered in Hamburg, is currently building the state-of-the-art logistics hub in Leipzig. Once complete, it will become the largest distribution centre in the company’s supply chain network.
Automation projects
Körber has been tasked with implementing the complex automation technologies within the hub. The solutions to be deployed include conveyor and picking technology, and Körber will integrate them into a powerful, efficient overall system via a complex ERP environment.
“As a central European hub, the new distribution centre is the blueprint for the efficient and sustainable logistics of tomorrow – and for future-oriented interaction between automation technology and manual activities,” said Andreas Ebert, CEO Automation, Körber Business Area Supply Chain.
The Leipzig hub
The new hub in Leipzig features an 18-aisle high-bay warehouse with approximately 125,000 pallet spaces for the supply and disposal of two fully automated layer palletizing systems. The pallets will be transported via an electric floor conveyor with 68 vehicles.
For container logistics, a multi-aisle, likewise fully automated shuttle AS/RS in conjunction with a highly dynamic container picking system is planned. The incoming goods, picking, packaging and value-added services (VAS) areas will also be largely automated and intelligently integrated into the process chain with the manual activities.
Körber is implementing a comprehensive end-to-end solution that goes beyond pure warehouse technology to ensure optimum interaction between all processes. Körber is implementing an SAP-based system landscape that is specially tailored to customer requirements.
The seamlessly integrated EWM, TM, YL, BN4L and PM modules serve to optimize adjacent processes in warehouse, transport, yard and maintenance management as well as smooth interaction with service providers.
MercuryGate acquisition
Earlier this month Körber announced it will acquire the logistics tech company MercuryGate as part of its efforts to create a comprehensive supply chain software solution.
Körber Supply Chain Software, a joint venture between Körber and fellow tech company KKR, signed a binding agreement to acquire MercuryGate International, which specializes in transportation management systems (TMS).
