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Day: 2 December 2025

COOP Norway Expands Automated DC

Posted on by David Priestman

Norwegian grocery retailer COOP Norge SA and WITRON have maintained a successful and trusting partnership for more than a decade. This collaboration is embodied in the full-range logistics centre near Gardermoen Airport in Oslo. Covering 84,000 square meters, the facility currently supplies 1,200 stores with more than 13,000 different dry, fresh, and frozen items.

At its core is WITRON’s OPM system, featuring 42 COM machines operating across all temperature zones. In early November 2025, COOP signed a contract for the project CLog 3.0 to expand its highly automated facility by adding 12 additional COM machines along with all upstream and downstream logistics technology. This third building stage will increase the total COM machine count in the logistics center to 54 and boost throughput to 690,000 picks per day.

The distribution centre, equipped with WITRON solutions OPM, DPS, and CPS, and a fully automated shipping buffer, has been productive since 2014 (building stage 1). The second building stage, completed in 2022, added 11 COM machines.

Now, as part of the third stage, another 12 COM machines will be integrated and become operational in 2028. Installation will largely take place within the existing building infrastructure, following WITRON’s holistic design concept. This approach enables COOP to respond quickly and flexibly to future growth in store numbers, throughput, or product range.

“WITRON systems have helped us save millions of euros annually. It was therefore clear that we would realize this expansion together with WITRON and their leading logistics technology,” explained COOP project manager Ståle Nersund.

The expansion with twelve additional COM machines – increasing the total to 54 – will take place during ongoing operations and cover all temperature zones – dry goods (+18 °C), fruit and vegetables (+2 °C / +7 to +12 °C), and frozen food (-25 °C). It also includes upstream pallet and tray storage (136,000 additional storage locations / 27 additional stacker cranes), extended conveyor systems, five additional depalletizers, and three more stretch-wrappers.

This investment enables COOP to pick an additional 120,000 store-friendly cases daily, raising throughput to 690,000 picks per day – ensuring efficient and sustainable customer service despite rapid growth.

Latin America Welcomes Logistics Cobots

Posted on by Will Priestman

DHL Supply Chain has announced this morning a five-year strategic alliance with Robust.AI, a company who specialise in collaborative robotics systems. Following successful deployments in North America, DHL Supply Chain will now introduce Robust.AI’s Carter™ robots in Latin America, with a rollout of 15 units in its retail operations in Mexico. 

The partnership with Robust.AI is a key element of DHL Supply Chain’s strategy focused on identifying and deploying scalable, commercially viable robotic and automation technologies that deliver immediate operational benefits. Robust.AI is one of DHL’s selected strategic partners, with first Carter robots already in commercial use across North America, many more robots signed for near-term deployment and a strong expansion trajectory across The Americas and regions beyond. 

“DHL Supply Chain is committed to building the future of logistics through innovation and technology,” 

said Mario Rodríguez de la Gala, President of DHL Supply Chain Mexico. 

“Our partnership with Robust.AI allows us to integrate flexible, collaborative robotics into our day-to-day operations, driving not only efficiency and accuracy, but also keeping our customers at the center of all that we do. This partnership reflects both our short- and long-term vision to keep reinventing supply chains in Mexico.”

The deployment builds on the proven success of Carter robots in DHL Supply Chain’s North America operations, where Carter is already in commercial use. In those environments, Carter has consistently improved productivity by over 60%, while enhancing safety and operational efficiency. In Mexico, the improvement so far has reached 30%. This is not an isolated application – it signals DHL’s readiness to leverage collaborative robotics in Mexico in a way that creates tangible value for DHL customers, our employees and the business. The robots will be integrated into DHL’s Warehouse Management System (WMS) by 2026, with a phased rollout plan designed for flexible scaling. This approach allows immediate value creation for employees and customers, while gradually advancing toward deeper system integration.

Anthony Jules, Co-Founder and CEO of Robust.AI, added:

“Deploying Carter across multiple DHL facilities, joining a global workforce, and showing value in spaces with varying levels of tech integration, is an important and exciting milestone in our expanding partnership with DHL. Choosing flexible, human-centered, safe automation with a lower barrier to entry is a faster path to ROI – but it also shows your teams you’re putting them first.”

Carter’s modular design makes it particularly well-suited for this approach. It can be introduced with basic functionality – such as motor-assisted movement that reduces physical strain and improves ergonomics – before scaling up to more advanced capabilities like autonomous navigation through integration with DHL’s Warehouse Management System. Carter supports point-to-point operations, enabling dynamic and intelligent, autonomous goods movement within facilities. This flexibility allows DHL to tailor deployments to each site’s level of technological readiness, while also enabling the relocation of robots between operations to support seasonal peaks or shifting customer needs. DHL Supply Chain plans to deploy hundreds of Carter robots across its Americas operations in the coming years, with potential expansion into other regions under review. This cross-country, cross-regional deployment model reflects DHL’s commitment to leveraging automation technologies that are not only scalable and efficient, but also adaptable to the specific needs of each site and market.

Master Peak Season

Posted on by David Priestman

In the fast-moving world of fashion and consumer goods, peaks in demand can be both predictable and sudden. Whether it’s the holiday rush, a back-to-school surge or a viral social media trend, warehouses need to be prepared to scale up operation and fast. The key isn’t building for maximum capacity year-round, but designing systems that handle the typical throughput, while also having the ability to scale flexibly when it matters most.


Scaling smart, not overbuilding


Designing your warehouse to handle peak throughput 100% of the time might seem like good planning, but it often leads to wasted resources, excess technology and idle equipment. The smarter approach is to build for typical throughput and ensure your systems can scale efficiently during surges.


That’s the philosophy behind TGW Logistics’ approach: design warehouse solutions to address specific needs. Instead of overloading facilities with technology, TGW Logistics builds scalable systems that deliver the agility needed to respond to market changes, whether they’re forecasted or not.

Tactics for handling peak demand

  1. Inventory ramp-up
    When demand surges, so does the need for on-hand inventory. Modern automation helps manage this increase efficiently. Automated inbound systems streamline the receipt, processing and storage of goods, while Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS) maximise space and accuracy while reducing manual labour.
    TGW’s FlashPick® system takes efficiency further by enabling mixed-SKU tote storage and maximising shuttle transport capacity. Though manual item selection may slightly affect throughput, the gain in storage density and order flexibility outweighs the trade-off.
  2. Maintenance and readiness
    Automation is only as effective as its reliability. TGW’s Lifetime Support Services ensure equipment and software operate at peak performance through proactive maintenance, auditing and testing. Regular system checks, professional cleaning and preventive adjustments ahead of high-demand seasons help avoid downtime and disruptions.
  3. Training seasonal staff
    Even the most advanced warehouse needs capable hands. Flexible staffing models are crucial during busy periods, but they only work if temporary staff are trained properly. Preparing ahead, whether by cross-training existing employees or converting packing stations to picking stations, keeps operations running smoothly when volumes spike.

Meeting the demands of Fashion and Consumer Goods logistics


In fashion and consumer goods logistics, change is the only constant. One viral TikTok video can turn an overlooked product into an overnight sensation. Flexible warehouse systems give businesses the agility to respond in real time.


Today’s consumers don’t wait for monthly trend reports. They react instantly to influencers, livestreams, and red carpet moments. For warehouses, that means scaling up without hesitation. Implementing modular, scalable automation enables companies to handle surges in e-commerce and retail demand seamlessly.


TGW Logistics equips clients with systems that adapt dynamically rather than sit idle during slower periods. Its modular automation architecture supports omnichannel fulfillment, allowing seamless reconfiguration between e-commerce and retail orders as priorities shift.


Need to pivot overnight? TGW’s software makes it simple to scale operations up or down, reprioritise orders and reconfigure workflows. Ahead of peak periods, TGW’s support teams assist with updates to warehouse management systems, optimising flow patterns and speeds for new demand scenarios.


Always ready for what’s next


TGW Logistics builds peak readiness into every solution. From scalable automation and modular storage systems to proactive service and support, its approach helps businesses stay agile and resilient in an unpredictable market.


With flexible systems in place, warehouses can confidently handle any surge – planned or unexpected – while maintaining efficiency, sustainability, and profitability. Peak season is coming. Is your warehouse ready?

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