23 June, 2023

Schaeffler Chooses Software for Intralogistics Automation

Posted on 23 June, 202329 July, 2025 by David Priestman

The leading automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler engages German software scale-up SYNAOS as a global digitalization partner in the
field of intralogistics. The two companies announced their cooperation yesterday at the “Forum Automobil Logistik” in Herzogenaurach.

In 2023, the SYNAOS Intralogistics Management Platform (IMP) will be implemented in six projects within the global Schaeffler Group in France, Germany, and Hungary – two of which are already live. The software solution by SYNAOS monitors, controls, and optimizes intralogistics processes such as transportation with Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) from various manufacturers.

The SYNAOS IMP is ideally suited for handling complex intralogistics processes and enables worldwide scalability through the cloud. The SaaS solution grows with the dynamic requirements of the customers. Among Schaeffler’s key selection criteria for a central fleet control centre was the hardware-independent, technically mature design of the SYNAOS IMP and its versatile applications with secure scalability – such as deploying mobile robots across multiple locations without the need for local server capacity.

The SYNAOS IMP offers an immediately deployable solution for optimizing processes in intralogistics at Schaeffler’s global locations. The VDA 5050 communication standard used by Schaeffler is also available through a corresponding interface, with multi-version support integrated. SYNAOS has already successfully implemented two pilot projects at Schaeffler sites in Homburg (Germany) and Haguenau (France).

Roberto Henkel, Senior Vice President Digitalization & Operations IT at Schaeffler, says, “AGVs are an important part of Schaeffler’s intralogistics automation. We are pleased to have SYNAOS as a partner to further accelerate the global rollout of our fleet.” Within Schaeffler’s production, the number of AGVs as well as autonomous mobile robots will significantly increase in the coming years. For the automotive and industrial supplier, digitalization is a key topic in the company’s Roadmap 2025 and the basis for sustainable business success.

Wolfgang Hackenberg (pictured), Founder and CEO of SYNAOS, says, “Our highly collaborative partnership with Schaeffler is strong evidence of the maturity of the automation and mobile robotics market. The entire market is currently experiencing a breakthrough in automation and mobile robotics. We are witnessing a technology push. The global cooperation with Schaeffler is a prime example of how to establish oneself for the scaling of mobile robots in intralogistics, from less complex scenarios to global rollouts. This is achieved with our solution, which is 100%
cloud-based and where only the vehicles utilized by the customer are billed.”

In the coming year, the SYNAOS IMP is set to be deployed at additional Schaeffler locations in Europe, North America, and China.

Sports Retailer Relies on Efficient WMS

Posted on 23 June, 2023 by David Priestman

The international distributor of sportswear and equipment Sportisimo s.r.o. is launching the Warehouse Management System PSIwms and the Material Flow Control PSImfc from PSI. With a focus on the agile implementation method, the order was placed directly via the PSI App Store.

PSIwms includes extensive functions for handling the logistics processes in the Sportisimo’s distribution centre located in Ostrava, Czech Republic. It takes into account the specifics of both the e-commerce market and stationary retail. The preconfigured Omnichannel release enables efficient implementation and flexible customization and will support the Omnichannel processes as well as a proprietary system. The launch of the first, pilot phase was scheduled for January 2023 and has been completed on time.

PSI Polska is also responsible for the delivery of the Material Flow Control System PSImfc to manage the miniload automated small parts warehouse with 11 aisles and with a capacity of over 300,000 cartons and over 6,000 meters of conveying systems. The project also includes the development of complex batching needed to orchestrate automation of picking process.

“With the solution from PSI, we have the opportunity to optimize our automated warehouse and meet our business needs”, explains Paweł Waler Supply Chain Director at Sportisimo. He adds: “PSI convinced us with the implementation time and the leap in efficiency in all logistics processes. In addition, the agile implementation method offers cost distribution over time as well as flexible software development.

Aliaksei Siparau, Board advisor and former CFO/COO complements at Sportisimo: “Right from the beginning of the project, PSI was able to deliver the running real prototypes which we could use for testing to speed up production deployment significantly. All lightning fast, including automation interfaces. In the first quarter of 2023 PSI has already delivered the solution for the miniload and Pick Tower and we are really glad about the results”.

Sportisimo is a European retail company and one of the leading distributors of sports apparel and equipment from the world’s most popular sports brands. In addition to online sales in 25 countries, the retailer runs over 200 brick-and-mortar stores in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania.

With over 400 employees in Poland, PSI Polska already counts renowned retail chain companies such as LPP, CCC and Empik among its customers. Moreover, PSIwms replaced the previous warehousing systems at Empik, CCC and Asmet.

The PSI Group develops its own software products for optimizing the flow of energy and materials for utilities (energy grids, energy trading, public transport) and industry (metals production, automotive, mechanical engineering, logistics). The industry-specific products, which are built from standard components, are sold both directly and via the cloud-based PSI App Store and can also be customized by customers and partners themselves. PSI was founded in 1969 and employs more than 2,200 people worldwide.

Sports Retailer Relies on Efficient WMS

Posted on 23 June, 202329 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Multimodal Service Via Czechia Office

Posted on 23 June, 2023 by David Priestman

As a next step toward reinforcing their value proposition to new markets, Samskip continues the expansion of its ‘multimodal customer care’ model in Czechia and Slovakia. The new office and regional Business Development Manager will empower Samskip and local shippers to effectively connect and discuss how to embed the multimodal way of transport into their supply chains which in many cases rely on the use of trailers.

The recent expansion of Samskip’s presence in Poland was the starting point for the roll out of this initiative in the region. Customers that partner with Samskip value their Pan-European network which focuses on the UK and Ireland, while reaching all the way from Portugal up to Iceland and Northern Norway. Samskip’s fleet of 10.974 x 45 ft high cube pallet wide containers offer fit-for-volume solutions which minimize the uncertainties of capacity that customers might encounter in their supply chains. Opening an office in Prague supports Samskip’s focus on customer centricity and will ensure that our team will be as close to our customers as possible.

Filip Chajęcki, General Manager Central Eastern Europe, said: “In Czechia and Slovakia, we want to develop partnerships with shippers that are keen to explore the sustainability benefits and opportunities that Samskip offers their supply chains. Our existing customers already appreciate the high level of care and agile support offered by our teams, and we look forward to making it our trademark in this region as well. With our high level of care and use of digital solutions, we make the switch to multimodal transport as easy as possible.”

Sustainability and digitalization continue to be at the core of Samskip’s values. Putting these values into action, Samskip offers a range of solutions that optimize our customer experience. These include the “MySamskip” customer portal which enhances visibility and makes the order process quick and efficient. Our sustainability goals are in part supported by the increased use of the biofuels by its fleet of ships, and the investment Samskip has made toward the development of its zero-emission hydrogen powered vessels which will be added to their fleet in 2025.

The team in Gdansk will work as a hub for customer service and operations for the Central Eastern Europe region. As part of Samskip’s customer centricity culture, customer service in Poland will be supported by local speaking colleagues for Czechia and Slovakia to foster care and easy collaboration with our customers.

Multimodal Service Via Czechia Office

Posted on 23 June, 2023 by Keith McKinley

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