Transforming Wine Warehousing: Körber and Geekplus Revolutionize Hawesko’s Operations

In a groundbreaking collaboration, Körber and Geekplus have revolutionized wine distributor Hawesko Group’s warehouse operations, boosting efficiency by 50% with the deployment of 20 autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).

Handling an impressive 20 million bottles of wine and champagne annually, Hawesko’s in-house logistics provider, IWL, has now integrated Geekplus robots to manage 330 shelves across a newly expanded 6,000 square meter facility in Tornesch, Germany.

Central to this transformation is Körber’s digital logistics platform. The warehouse management system (WMS) serves as the operational hub, while the subdivided unified control system (UCS) optimizes the control of the automated technology portfolio and enhances communication interfaces with the robotics application. This sophisticated integration has more than doubled pick performance in the expanded area.

Michael Brandl, Executive Vice President of Software EMEA at Körber Business Area Supply Chain, emphasized the critical role of efficient processes in supporting e-commerce fulfillment amid growing online retail demand. “High-performing and resource-efficient solutions are essential to meet increasing customer demands and seasonal fluctuations. The new solution achieved this for the Hawesko Group through an integrated combination of WMS, AMR technology, and UCS,” Brandl explained.

Frederick Paulsen, Project Manager for Information Logistics at IWL, highlighted the economic advantages of the new system. “Compared to conventional automation solutions, the expansion in Tornesch proved to be the most economically effective, creating additional storage capacity and the flexibility for future expansion. The existing space can now accommodate up to 100 additional racks, equating to approximately 40,000 more items,” Paulsen noted.

The partnership between Geekplus and Körber continues to flourish, with over 3,000 robots deployed across 11 countries, showcasing their robust and scalable solutions in warehouse automation.

For the Hawesko Group, this technological leap not only enhances operational efficiency but also positions them for future growth in the competitive e-commerce landscape.