The system, AutoStore, is made by robotics specialist Element Logic and covers 6,000m² (64,583ft²), making it one of the largest fully-automated storage and order fulfilment systems in Germany, according to DHL Supply Chain.

It’s located in one of the five halls at the location, each of which offers 10,000m² (107,639m²) of space and 50 loading bays. DHL Supply Chain operates this logistics centre for a range of customers.

Some of the other applications at the site, in addition to nationwide e-commerce for fashion retailer Peek & Cloppenburg Düsseldorf, include the shipping of merchandise to end customers in Austria, Poland and the Netherlands, handling inbound merchandise and returns, the warehousing of 3.5 million fashion items and order picking and packing.

The AutoStore system is designed so that merchandise inventory can be fully monitored and controlled to ensure high efficiency in storage and retrieval, which supports the processing of orders and shipping with greater speed and reliability.

According to DHL Supply Chain, the combination of this scalable robotics solution and the use of local employees reduces throughput times for individual customer orders, from order placement to dispatch from the warehouse, simplifies operational processes for employees and increases overall operating efficiency.

AutoStore offers solutions to maximise storage capacity and provide fully-automated order fulfilment. The basis of the system is a 16-level high aluminium framework in which inventory is stacked and stored in 196,000 plastic bins.

Above the bins, the aluminium framework forms a structure called the grid, in which 160 robots move around to pick items for each individual order, fully automatically.

The goods are then further processed and prepared for shipping by their human counterparts at 21 ‘ports.’

“We are thrilled to facilitate the omnichannel growth of a long-time customer like Peek & Cloppenburg
Düsseldorf with the help of this automated solution,” said Rainer Haag, CEO of DHL Supply Chain
Germany and Alps.

“It enhances our partnership and is an investment in the future success of both our companies.

“E-commerce is one of DHL Supply Chain’s strategic growth sectors.

“The use of this system is another important building block in the expansion of our e-commerce business and automation strategy.

“Staufenberg is an ideal location for this operation in terms of transport connections and offers us a direct link to our sister divisions DHL Paket and DHL Express.

“On average we can deliver 85% of parcels by the next day to recipients in Germany.”