DSV Opens First Fulfillment Factory in Duisburg

Premiere for the DSV Fulfillment Factory in Germany: Next-generation automated storage technology launches in Duisburg. DSV commenced operations of the first Fulfillment Factory in Germany in mid-November 2022, complementing its portfolio at the Duisburg location. With the Autostore system, storage can be even more space, energy, and cost-efficient.

(Duisburg) In the automatic storage and retrieval system from manufacturer Autostore and system partner Element Logic, goods are stored in stacked and closely arranged plastic containers. In Duisburg, the facility occupies 900 square meters of storage space – which represents a space saving of approximately 75% compared to traditional storage concepts.

Robots retrieve goods from the elevated plastic containers and hand them over to the employees. This way, picking is optimized for distance. The system can also operate in a multi-shift system and thus respond to changing demand volumes in e-commerce, for example. “For many companies, this is an optimization in efficiency and flexibility. We can also ensure faster distribution to the surrounding regions, so that goods reach B2B or end customers even better,” says Uwe Ernst, Senior Manager Logistics at DSV. Currently, 25,000 containers, 25 robots, and eight carousel ports are in use in Duisburg.

Less Required Storage Space

A customer of the DSV multi-user facility in Duisburg-Walsum is the sustainable and multiple-certified fashion manufacturer Stanley/Stella from Belgium. “Autostore is an innovative technology, with increased efficiency in item picking. A high concentration of boxes means that less storage space is required. Additionally, the ergonomics for employees are very good compared to other systems – this plays an important role for Stanley/Stella in choosing the service provider,” says Guido Alvino, Chief Operating Officer at Stanley/Stella, explaining why DSV was chosen for storage.

Efficient Energy Consumption

While conventional warehouses are equipped with space, lighting, and heating, the Fulfillment Factory is more efficient in energy consumption and emissions. Moreover, the robots are self-charging while they work, similar to an electric car. This cyclical management of electricity consumption minimizes energy needs.

Further Investments in Fulfillment Factory

DSV has already ordered an expansion for Duisburg: by mid-next year 2023, the total capacity is set to double to 50,000 containers and 50 robots. The investment in automated storage solutions is part of a global DSV strategy to create comprehensive solutions with uniform technology across countries and continents, thereby providing competitive advantages for customers.

Photo: © DSV