DHL has implemented its first European fully automated small parts warehouse with robot picking for 1-2-3.TV.

The omnichannel auction platform 1-2-3.TV consistently relies on the digitalisation of its supply chains and warehouse logistics. On behalf of the broadcaster, DHL Supply Chain, a long-standing logistics partner of 1-2-3.TV, has now implemented Europe’s first fully automated Autostore logistics system in Braunschweig, Germany.

This compact storage and retrieval system enables optimised space-saving storage of small parts and fully automatic picking of up to 18 million items per year. Working alongside the employees on site, the system is said to increase the processing speed of each individual order, optimise processes for employees and improve operational efficiency.

“Our company has already invested heavily in lean processes and sustainable automation in the past,” said Eberhard Kuom, executive vice president at 1-2-3.TV. “With the introduction of flexible and modular robotics from Autostore, we are building on the strong growth realised in recent years, optimising our logistics processes sustainably, and are therefore ideally equipped for future growth.”

The Autostore technology supplied by Element Logic consists of an aluminium frame in which the current inventory is stacked and stored over 16 levels in more than 40,000 plastic containers. The top floor serves as a route for the robots, 26 of which are deployed in the 1-2-3.TV warehouse in Braunschweig alone, where they automatically pick the ordered goods and group them for further processing by the employees.

The goods are placed in the respective package for the order on a dispatch and transport system, automatically sealed and then dispatched. Following 1-2-3.TV’s recent investment in order acceptance processes and the digitalisation of its entire supply chain, this represents the company’s third optimisation step along its process chain.

“We are pleased that this automation will allow us to further strengthen our trust-based cooperation with our long-standing customer 1-2-3.TV, and to invest in a successful future together,” said Andreas Bicking, business unit director at DHL. “Thanks to the Autostore system, we have continuous inventory control and can achieve high efficiency in storage and retrieval, so that customer orders can be processed quickly and reliably. In addition, the logistics solution relieves our employees on site by shortening walking distances. Most importantly, they are now able to focus their energies on more demanding activities in other areas on site.”

For DHL, this implementation is another important building block in the ongoing realisation of its automation and digitalisation strategy for continuous improvement in operations. As part of a broader, commercially viable technology portfolio, these goods-to-person robots are playing an increasingly important role in the contract logistics provider’s strategy.

“We are pleased to have DHL Supply Chain as a highly professional partner at our side.,” said Kuom. “Integrating Autostore into the existing infrastructure during peak times was an enormous achievement.”