Bleckmann has announced the go-live of a new automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) at its Almelo–Newton site in the Netherlands.
The installation marks the next step in the company’s long-term automation strategy, designed to address labour scarcity while providing a smoother fulfilment for its clients.
The new goods-to-person solution is an integrated Kardex AutoStore system combined with an automated packing line.
Compared with traditional rack storage, the system significantly reduces the inventory footprint while increasing picking and packing speed. By using up to seven times less space than a conventional picking floor, the AutoStore enables higher storage density and allows more SKUs from multiple customers to be handled simultaneously, reducing the risk of stock shortages.
Items are retrieved by radio-controlled robots, eliminating walking time for warehouse staff and improving productivity. The AutoStore features a conveyor system from carton erectors and an autonomous packing station.
“From the moment a product enters the AutoStore until it leaves the warehouse in a carton, it will have only been touched by a single pair of hands,” explained Kevin Paindeville, director warehouse solutions and innovation at Bleckmann. “This increased productivities and reduced risk of error due to less manipulation.”
By automating labour-intensive processes, Bleckmann can offer later cut-off times for next-day delivery and more predictable performance during peak periods. “The AutoStore system automatically makes the most popular items more accessible, so that they can be dispatched faster,” said Tom Wijlens, COO Netherlands North at Bleckmann.
In addition to speed and accuracy, the ASRS solution offers flexibility, scalability and low energy consumption, Bleckmann said.
A range of robotics and automation solutions will be on display at IntraLogisteX 2026, which takes place on 18-19 March 2026 at the NEC Birmingham. For exhibitor information and visitor registration, visit the official event website at www.intralogistex.co.uk
