Italy’s E80 Group is integrating warehouse robotics from French firm Exotec into its pallet handling systems.

The partnership will see Exotec’s signature Skypod AS/RS used with E80 Group’s suite. This should let users unify each case and pallet handling within a single, scalable automation ecosystem, delivering end-to-end warehouse automation that reduces complexity by eliminating unnecessary equipment.

The partnership addresses growing pressure on supply chains to consolidate ecommerce, retail and wholesale operations into fewer facilities, aiming to enhance process security, efficiency and service-level demands. Historically, operators were forced to rely on siloed tote, case and pallet systems that required complex integration, duplicated infrastructure and labour-intensive handoffs.

By combining their technologies, Exotec and E80 Group remove this fragmentation and enable seamless flow of pallets and cases from inbound to outbound.

These problems are particularly prevalent in the CPG and grocery industries, where warehouses must handle high volumes of full pallets, mixed cases and individual items at speed. Recognising this, Exotec and E80 will initially focus their joint efforts on these sectors, delivering products tailored to their operational demands. By uniting pallet, case and item handling in one system, the companies aim to help CPG and grocery decision makers cut costs, boost resilience and accelerate fulfilment across all channels.

Exotec delivers modular, turnkey warehouse systems built around a set of building blocks, with the Skypod system (www.exotec.com/skypod-automated-storage-retrieval-system) serving as the central engine for each- and case-picking. Its proprietary Deepsky (www.exotec.com/system/warehouse-optimization-software) warehouse execution software acts as the conductor, coordinating product movement across automated equipment inside and outside the system.

E80 brings expertise in end-to-end intralogistics for production plants and distribution centres – from truck unloading of raw materials and finished products, picking and warehousing operations to final shipping with automatic loading – all managed by AGVs and LGVs and coordinated through its proprietary SM.I.LE80 software platform.

“Exotec and E80 Group don’t just offer complementary technologies, we share the same philosophy of reducing complexity through intelligent, product-first design,” said Romain Moulin, CEO of Exotec (exotec.com). “That’s why we heavily invested in this partnership with E80 Group to design a joint option that will set the new standard for end-to-end automation in the grocery and CPG industries, and beyond.”

Gabriele Grassi, deputy chair at E80 Group (E80Group.com), added: “This partnership marks an important step forward for the intralogistics industry. Together, we’re not just integrating two systems, we’re rethinking how goods can move seamlessly from production to store shelves or ecommerce. Pairing Exotec’s flexible AS/RS with our end-to-end offerings creates a new model for automation that aligns with the future of retail and consumer demand.”