Kardex Automates Haberkorn Logistics Center in Recklinghausen

Haberkorn has contracted Kardex as the general contractor to execute a highly automated expansion of its existing logistics center in Recklinghausen, North Rhine-Westphalia. The 55 million euro project represents the largest single investment in the history of the Haberkorn Group.

Logistics Center Infrastructure and Technical Capacity
The project consists of a four-aisle automated pallet high-bay warehouse containing 5,388 storage spaces, an AutoStore plant operating across two connected levels with a capacity of up to 178,800 bins, and approximately 600 meters of automated bin conveying technology. The upgraded facilities will serve as a central warehouse for occupational safety equipment and technical products in Germany. The expanded storage zones are integrated into a four-story extension constructed on a 13,000 square meter footprint, which also accommodates workshops, offices, and a staff restaurant.

System Integration and Software Control
Control of the expanded logistics center will be managed via the SAP EWM warehouse management system, implemented by Kardex’s partner company, prismat. The facility layout, developed in cooperation with supply chain experts Miebach Consulting, incorporates nine pallet and small parts picking stations alongside 21 packing workstations to handle materials.

Phased Construction Timeline and Material Handling Specifications
The modernization is divided into two discrete construction phases to manage deployment. The initial stage began in April 2026 and is scheduled for handover to the customer in December 2026. This phase focuses on the small-parts storage facility managed by Kardex AutoStore Solutions, featuring grids installed on two levels with a capacity of up to 178,800 bins. Material transit within this grid will be handled by 97 Redline R5.1 new-generation AutoStore robots supported by 77 charging stations, seven carousel ports, and 20 conveyor ports.

Order picking during the first phase utilizes 588 meters of conveying technology, three vertical bin conveyors, two buffer and sequencing elements, and seven Intuitive Picking Assistants. The section includes 14 workstations for package consolidation and seven workstations for packing mixed goods consisting of both pallets and small parts. For future expansion, four bin lifts and six frames are also being integrated during this stage.

The second construction phase is scheduled to commence in April 2027, with completion and final handover projected by November 2027. This stage encompasses the installation of the automated pallet high-bay warehouse utilizing four Kardex MSingle A-800/18-ZT stacker cranes. This infrastructure connects to three picking stations featuring ergonomic goods feeds. Pallet transport to and from these stations is driven by an automated conveying plant equipped with approximately 200 drives, a vertical pallet conveyor, and 10 feeder and discharge points.

Edited by Romila DSilva, Induportals Editor, with AI assistance.