Hermes Germany Equips First Employees with Exoskeletons

In parcel logistics, there are many work steps that are physically challenging – especially the sorting of large items and bulky items, which are heavy and cumbersome shipments. To relieve its employees, particularly at the three locations with the highest proportions of large and bulky items, Hermes Germany has acquired six back exoskeletons for regular use.

(Hamburg) As the first parcel logistics company in Germany, the company has been using the IX BACK AIR model from SUITX by Ottobock at its logistics centers in Friedewald, Graben, and Langenhagen since July of this year. The currently lightest back exoskeleton of its kind relieves the spine while allowing full freedom of movement, enabling employees to benefit from immediate relief.

From small and light like a football jersey to large and heavy like a piece of furniture – nowadays, many items from everyday life are shopped online. The majority of the packages and parcels shipped daily across the country are usually small and manageable, with the average weight of a shipment at Hermes Germany recently being around two kilograms. Working with large items and bulky items, even though their share of the total shipment volume is comparatively low, is physically much more demanding. Therefore, it is particularly important to find solutions in terms of health promotion to make work easier for employees.

This is where the back exoskeletons come into play, which were specifically acquired for the Hermes logistics centers in Friedewald (Hesse), Graben (Bavaria), and Langenhagen (Lower Saxony) – three locations with increased large item volumes. In Friedewald, for example, the proportion of large and bulky shipments is on average more than twice as high as the national average, while the other two locations are at a similar level. “With the back exoskeletons, the physical strain on employees can be reduced, especially in the large item and bulky item areas,” explains Dennis Isern. The manager of the Friedewald logistics center has significantly advanced the topic at Hermes Germany. “The exoskeletons optimize the movement process and lead to an effective reduction in load of up to 15 kilograms when lifting.” The maximum weight of packages shipped by Hermes Germany is 31.5 kilograms. However, the vast majority of shipments are significantly lighter: shipments over 20 kilograms account for less than two percent of the company’s shipment portfolio.

High Acceptance Among Employees  

Hermes Germany has already tested various exoskeleton models in the past. In addition to effective load reduction, acceptance among employees is particularly important for the parcel logistics company. Arne Zieris, manager of the Langenhagen logistics center, explains: “For our colleagues, practical reasons play a major role: the device should be as light as possible and easy to switch during shift changes.” Both points are met by the acquired exoskeletons, significantly increasing acceptance: Weighing just under three kilograms, the IX BACK AIR can be put on and taken off in less than half a minute. The employee simply puts on a light textile belt around their hips, into which the device, which can be adapted to body size, is hooked. “The exoskeleton can then be worn throughout the entire shift without needing to change batteries, as it uses the body’s own energy,” Arne Zieris further explains. SUITX by Ottobock relies on biomechanical systems.

Noticeable Relief Immediately Experienceable  

With the introduction of the back exoskeletons at the logistics centers in Friedewald, Graben, and Langenhagen, initially two main users per location will start working with the device. In a joint workshop at the end of June 2024, employees received a detailed introduction to using the exoskeletons, so they can benefit as much as possible from the support in their work in the future. To make the relief directly experienceable in immediate comparison, the main users will initially work with the device for six weeks before sorting without the exoskeleton for two weeks. This way, Hermes Germany can directly assess with the employees how wearing exoskeletons affects work and health.

The expectations for the new technology at the three locations are high. How employees experience this new form of support will become clear in the coming weeks. “I am very pleased that we can set a sign for employee health with the back exoskeletons. We were particularly convinced by the factors of wearing comfort, mobility, and quick putting on and taking off – now we are very curious to see how these points perform in everyday practice,” says Wolfgang Fackelmann, manager of the Graben logistics center. The first impressions have already been positive, reports Dennis Isern from Friedewald in Hesse.

The Kickoff for Health Promotion is Made

The kickoff in the area of exoskeletons as a component of health promotion in the commercial sector has thus been made at Hermes Germany. “We will continue to keep an eye on what new developments emerge in the market in the coming years to provide further relief for our colleagues with dynamic work processes,” says Dennis Isern. In addition to technical support, such as in the form of automatic sorting systems, Hermes Germany continues to focus on organizing health days and collaborating with occupational health partners.

Photo: © Hermes