TGW Logistics Sets Up Small Parts Warehouse for Ekol in Istanbul

Intralogistics specialist TGW Logistics is establishing an Automated Small Parts Warehouse (ASPW) for Ekol Logistics on the outskirts of Istanbul. The Turkish third-party logistics provider benefits from high storage density with optimal performance. More than a hundred Mustang E+ stacker cranes on three levels form the powerful core and handle the storage and retrieval of retail and e-commerce orders. The go-live of the highly automated system is planned for early 2027.

With over 5,000 employees, Ekol is a leading Turkish logistics service provider operating a nationwide network of distribution centers. Founded in 1990, the company specializes in 3PL services for clients in the manufacturing, textile, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), healthcare, and electronics sectors. A highly automated fulfillment center is being built in Gebze, on the outskirts of Istanbul, which will accommodate 2.5 million cartons. The logistics hub, named “Tulip Warehouse,” will serve the retail and e-commerce business of various clients, including a leading European sports equipment manufacturer.

Three Levels of Stacker Cranes

What makes TGW Logistics’ solution technologically unique: 102 Mustang E+ stacker cranes are installed in three levels stacked on top of each other, making the storage block nearly 40 meters high. This setup allows for high storage density with optimal performance, tailored to the needs of Ekol and its customers. A network of four kilometers of energy-efficient conveyor technology for cartons and pallets connects the individual areas – around ten kilometers of conveyor technology is installed throughout the facility.

Efficient B2B and B2C Operations

İbrahim Buyruk, Executive Board Member at Ekol, emphasizes: “As part of this project, we were particularly impressed by the Mustang E+ solution. Thanks to its outstanding performance, we can achieve a throughput capacity that efficiently serves both our B2B and B2C operations. This is an important step forward in quickly and reliably meeting the diverse needs of our customers. Based on the experiences and insights from previous projects, we are confident that our collaboration with TGW Logistics will lead to an extremely successful implementation that creates long-term value for our business operations.”

“We are very excited about the project with Ekol – as a starting point for closer collaboration,” emphasizes Martin Waldenberger, Chief Sales Officer of the Customer Unit Central Europe at TGW Logistics. “Stacker cranes represent an efficient option in intralogistics. The ASPW technology from TGW Logistics impresses with maximum storage density, high reliability, and a low-maintenance setup. Ekol can efficiently map its customers’ logistics processes with this solution.”

Photo: © TGW Logistics