Arvato Supply Chain Completes Expansion for H&M in Stryków

A new high-bay warehouse, a longer conveyor line, and a significantly increased processing capacity – Arvato Supply Chain Solutions has successfully completed the expansion of the distribution center in Stryków, Poland. The internationally operating e-commerce service provider manages the online business of the H&M brand in Eastern Europe.

(Gütersloh/Stryków) “The expansion was necessary to handle our customer’s continuous volume growth more quickly and flexibly,” emphasized Lidia Ratajczak-Kluck, Managing Director of Arvato Supply Chain Solutions in Poland, during the commissioning of the new hall.

As part of the expansion, the floor area has been increased by 15,000 to now 55,000 m². A total of 75,000 m² of storage space is now available. It spans two levels. The high-bay warehouse in the new hall offers space for 240,000 cartons, and the total storage capacity currently amounts to around 420,000 cartons. For picking the cartons from the shelves, which are up to 8.7 meters high, self-driving reach trucks are used. They move along a 4,400-meter-long induction track through the high-bay warehouse.

Conveyor line is 3.5 kilometers long

The new hall is equipped with a 123-meter-long conveyor belt. It transports the cartons for further processing to the older hall section and is directly connected to the existing conveyor system. Overall, the conveyor line is about 3.5 kilometers long. Other important components for automation include special sorting systems, dynamic stock replenishment, and the implementation of the ERP system SAP S4/HANA.

Processing volume increases by 30 percent

Thanks to the expansion of the distribution center, the processing volume increases by around 30 percent. “With the expansion of the distribution center and the already extended collaboration with Arvato Supply Chain Solutions as a strategic partner at the end of last year, the logistical foundations for future support have been established,” said Michael Schulz, Regional Logistics Manager East Europe of the H&M Group, during the commissioning of the additional areas. Both companies have been cooperating since 2018. Michael Schulz is convinced: “The higher degree of automation associated with the expansion will help significantly enhance the customer experience.” From Stryków, customers of the fashion brand in Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Slovakia are supplied.

Poland remains a strong growth market for Arvato Supply Chain

“Poland is and remains a strong growth market for Arvato Supply Chain Solutions. Since 2015, we have opened a new logistics center there every year, primarily driven by online trade, for a whole range of customers. As a central logistics hub with short delivery times for national distribution, but also for the entire Central and Eastern European region as well as the high-volume sales markets in Western Europe, Poland is an important location to strengthen our and our customers’ international presence,” emphasizes Lidia Ratajczak-Kluck. Therefore, the expansion of the distribution center in Stryków is only logical – and is also associated with the creation of 300 additional jobs on site. For handling order peaks, even more personnel is expected, so that up to 1,300 employees will be employed.

Photo: © Arvato Supply Chain Solutions