Cimcorp automates Berlin's fresh produce logistics

Retail distribution of fresh fruit and vegetables requires tight delivery windows, full traceability and consistent product rotation to minimize waste. In this context, REWE automated its Oranienburg logistics centre with a robotics-based order-picking system and Warehouse Control System supplied by Cimcorp.

Automation at the core of fresh retail logistics
The Oranienburg site supplies more than 370 supermarkets and 580 stores in the greater Berlin region. The automated fulfilment centre processes approximately 29,000 units per day using Cimcorp’s robotic order-picking solution integrated with its Warehouse Control System (WCS).

The WCS manages inbound barcode scanning, depalletizing, inventory control, picking, outbound labelling and shipping. By linking robotics, conveyors and inventory data into a unified control layer, the system provides end-to-end visibility across the facility. Every crate, stack and pallet is uniquely identified and tracked from receipt to dispatch, supporting traceability requirements typical in the fresh food segment.

Managing rotation, accuracy and uptime
Fresh produce logistics depends on strict stock rotation. The automated picking area applies both FIFO (First In, First Out) and FEFO (First Expired, First Out) principles. This ensures that products with earlier expiry dates are prioritized, reducing spoilage risk and supporting compliance with food handling standards.

Workload balancing algorithms distribute tasks across robotic cells, while stacking logic accounts for product characteristics and ergonomic handling requirements. The installation includes dual robot cells and transfer cars to provide redundancy, enabling continued operation if a subsystem is unavailable.

Operator dashboards and integrated error-management tools allow real-time monitoring of material flow. This architecture supports high system uptime and rapid fault isolation, which is critical in a digital supply chain where missed delivery windows directly affect store availability.

Addressing labour constraints through system design
Retail logistics centres face increasing difficulty in recruiting staff for physically demanding warehouse tasks. The automated handling of fruit and vegetable crates reduces repetitive heavy lifting and shifts personnel toward supervisory and control functions.

By automating high-frequency picking operations, the facility reduces reliance on overtime during seasonal peaks. The combination of robotics and centralized software control also simplifies training compared to managing multiple independent subsystems.

A scalable platform for fresh distribution
The Oranienburg project integrates into REWE’s broader logistics transformation strategy. Cimcorp’s WCS architecture allows adaptation to volume fluctuations and future capacity extensions without fundamental changes to the control topology.

For large metropolitan regions such as Berlin, where store density and delivery frequency are high, the combination of automated picking, structured product rotation and real-time system oversight provides a technically grounded approach to maintaining year-round fresh food availability.

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