PRAGUE, Czech Republic, December 15, 2021 – Hot on the heels of its September announcement that Munich would be the site of its first European investment into fulfillment centre automation, European leader in e-grocery delivery service Rohlik Group ("Rohlik") is now announcing additional automation for Hamburg, Vienna and Prague in 2022, bringing the total investment to 45 million EUR.
Automated picking systems will soon operate in all Rohlik warehouses
“Investment in automation is a key driver for growth and increased efficiency of our supply chain, ensuring even faster delivery and better future customer service. The AutoStore picking solution will be used in all four markets and will be delivered by Element Logic for Munich and Hamburg and by Swisslog for Vienna and Prague, including a Shuttle System for Prague for order dispatching purposes. Both partners provide great support, solutions and an agile project approach. To my knowledge, no other e-grocery player is investing in warehouse automation on such a broad European level," says Aleš Malucha, Rohlik Group Chief Automation Officer.
The AutoStore system has storage bins stacked vertically in a grid and stored in a cubic structure, with the bins retrieved by robotic vehicles that travel atop the structure on rails, complemented by efficient picking workstations. This core automation element will deliver Rohlik a threefold increase in picking productivity, over 60% more storage space in fulfillment centres and a streamlined replenishment and inventory process.
A warehouse shuttle system is a mobile cart that “shuttles” (i.e., transports) items in pallet racking. It’s used to store and retrieve stock totes, trays or cases in storage buffers. They travel the depth of your racking to pick up or deposit pallets at either end of the racking structure. The Shuttle system will fully automate the handling of finished purchases as they are consolidated and prepared for distribution.
"This automation implementation is scheduled for the second half of 2022. It delivers to Rohlik completely new opportunities to scale up at short notice when we need it most. Currently, we are preparing for a roll-out to other Central and Southern EU countries too," adds Aleš Malucha.
Major project milestones in Hamburg, Vienna and Prague.
Facts about Rohlik’s robotic warehouse solution:
HAMBURG
Part of the ongoing expansion in Germany, with Munich now followed by Hamburg and others opening in 2022-2023.
- New warehouse 10.000m²
- 12.000 SKUs
- AutoStore (ambient)
According to Michael Kawalier, Managing Director of Sales at Element Logic Germany: “We're constantly discussing the expansion of AutoStore solutions with Rohlik Group, as we always want to be one step ahead and be able to ensure continued strong growth and a continued good customer experience, even during growth peaks. Both companies have a similar mindset, which is a necessity for a successful partnership and customer satisfaction.”
VIENNA
The expansion of automation into Austria is part of the current focus on growth in Rohlik's newest countries.
- Existing warehouse 10.000m² (after extension)
- 12.000 SKUs
- AutoStore (ambient & chilled) with Swisslog SynQ Software
- Swisslog QuickMove Conveyor Technology
PRAGUE
- New warehouse Chrášťany 14.000m²
- 18.000 SKUs
- AutoStore (ambient & chilled) with Swisslog SynQ Software
- Light Goods Shuttle for ambient with Swisslog SynQ Software
- Swisslog QuickMove Conveyor Technology
- The project is planned to be completed at the end of 2023
“I am proud that Rohlik Group is entrusting Swisslog with this major project. With our committed team including over 500 software specialists and with our leading e-grocery logistics automation experience from similar projects, we are convinced that we will continue to meet the long-term demands of Rohlik Group. We look forward to building on this relationship,” comments Jens Schmale, Head of Region Swisslog EMEA.
Robotic warehouses pave the way for more growth in Rohlik Group and bring work opportunities for new talents
Investment in automated systems increases efficiencies and frees up space for further growth. But according to Aleš Malucha, it will not be at the expense of employees.
“We are creating teams at a group level for the design of the most efficient fulfillment center (FC) using automation as well as for development of IT systems. Additionally, there will be automation teams in individual countries for implementation and management of automation in individual FCs,” explains Aleš.
Rohlik founder Tomáš Čupr underscores the importance of this investment: “With this new investment of EUR 45m into fulfillment centre automation already underway, and hundreds of millions to be spent in the next few years, we are now looking for the group head of automation. This person will set the vision and have a massive impact on building an industry changing company, complementing Aleš Malucha's work.”
One can already find on Rohlik's career website (career.rohlik.group) that Rohlik Group offers work in 7 countries and across 12 teams.
About Rohlik Group
Founded in 2014 in the Czech Republic, Rohlik Group is one of Europe's leading online grocery delivery services. Already active in the Czech Republic (Rohlik.cz), Hungary (Kifli.hu), Austria (Gurkerl.at) and Germany (Knuspr.de) with more German cities to follow, it is now newly launching in Italy, Romania and Spain in 2022 under the new Sezamo brand. Deploying world-leading technology & logistics to deliver a huge range of quality products (17 000 SKUs+), Rohlik companies offer a 15-minute delivery window with delivery as soon as within 90 minutes of placing an order in some countries. The Rohlik family is a data-driven company in everything they do. By owning its end-to-end operations, including having all technology in-house, Rohlik provides a superior customer experience and the freshest food from local farmers and artisans, as well as a broad supermarket selection. The company was funded with EUR 290 mil. this year and is profitable, dynamic and growing rapidly. Rohlik turnover exceeded €300 million in 2020. It currently has over 850,000 customers across four international markets.
For more information visit www.rohlik.group
For career enquiries visit career.rohlik.group
For press enquiries, contact Eliška Čeřovská at [email protected]
About Element Logic
For more than 35 years, Element Logic® has been helping companies of all sizes and from all industries to survive in increasingly dynamic markets with ever more complex requirements. The company is one of the leading providers of efficient intralogistics solutions in Europe. With 12 locations on the continent, Element Logic is very close to regional markets and needs. It develops highly efficient intralogistics solutions with customized system design for automated processes, working in general contractor capacity with its customers.
At the heart of the solution is the state-of-the-art AutoStore® automated storage and commissioning system, which maximizes energy and space efficiency. The world's first official AutoStore integrator, Element Logic has installed more than 150 AutoStore warehouses and is the European market leader for AutoStore solutions in Europe since 2003.
For press enquiries, contact Ann-Katrin Pedersen@marketing@elementlogic.no
About Swisslog
Swisslog is the global leading AutoStore integrator with over 300 implemented projects. With our committed team of 2,500+ employees worldwide, of which 500 alone are working in software, we deliver data-driven & robotic solutions for your logistics automation alongside reliable, modular service concepts. Collaborating with forward-thinking companies, we are committed to setting new standards in e-grocery warehouse automation to provide future-proof products and solutions. As part of the KUKA Group, our customers trust the competence of our passionate employees – more than 14,000 people working across the globe.
For press enquiries, contact Martin Kuemin, Communications, [email protected], +41797238027