Footwear and apparel brand Sketchers has invested in a new automated European distribution centre in Liège, Belgium.
To this end, the company is relying on KNAPP as a technology partner to provide the intralogistics systems for the new facility.
Opening in stages that will be complete by mid-2030, the logistics centre will start to supply the European market from a single location at the close of 2028 and will be designed to allow future growth.
With a footprint of around 230,000m² (2,475,699ft²) and a planned capacity of more than 3.3 million storage locations, the new EDC will represent one of the largest automation projects in the history of European fashion and footwear logistics.
The existing European distribution center in Milmort in the province of Liège is reaching its capacity limits due to Skechers’ continued growth.
The central objectives behind the new EDC are twofold: Ensuring the distribution capacities for the long term in Europe and reducing manual processes to enable Skechers to stay competitive and take action flexibly.
David Weinberg, COO at Skechers said: “For more than 23 years, Skechers has placed its trust in Wallonia as a strategic base for its European operations – and this new phase is the next chapter of our growth.
“This massive, automated and sustainable building puts us at the forefront of distribution to Europe and makes us fit for the future.”
KNAPP is implementing an integrated process that handles all material flows from goods-in to goods-out in a single solution.
At its heart is one of the largest Evo Shuttle systems in the world, which stores Skechers’ cartons across more than 3 million storage locations.
Additional advancements include a shuttle system for replenishment and buffering as well as goods-to-person work stations, an automatic pallet storage system and extensive conveyor and sorting systems.
