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Cargo-partner pioneers AutoStore in Austria

[ March 18, 2025   //   ]

Cargo-partner has become the first freight forwarder in Austria to implement the AutoStore system at its iLogistics Center next to Vienna International Airport. Cargo-partner, a group company of Nippon Express Holdings, initiated the project some time ago with applied research organization, Fraunhofer to optimize logistics processes. The system is set to go live in mid-2025, but the first milestones have already been achieved. starting with structural modifications last fall to prepare for the AutoStore installation.

The compact design of the system increases storage efficiency. AutoStore stacks bins without gaps, significantly reducing the required floor space. It also maximizes bin capacity by allowing multiple products to be stored together.

The goods handling process is more efficient, shifting from a ‘person-to-goods’ approach to ‘goods-to-person’. Robots deliver items directly to employees, speeding up processing. Ergonomic workstations reduce physical strain, helping to boost overall team capacity.

The AutoStore system is installed on the mezzanine level of the existing warehouse hall. Covering 500 m², its aluminium grid structure measures 15.4 m × 22.6 m × 6.5 m and can hold 14,680 containers – expandable to 21,030 across 16 levels. The setup includes seven robots, charging stations, and five workstation modules with a bin lift connecting to the ground floor. Frames for future expansion are already in place. The flow of goods is managed by Hörmann’s HiLIS warehouse management system, customized to meet Cargo-partner’s specific needs.

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