GXO has deployed Exotec’s Skypod robotic system at its Venlo facility in the Netherlands, automating fulfilment operations for global fashion brand Guess.

The system is designed to handle the particular demands of fashion logistics, including high SKU counts, seasonal fluctuations and changing customer requirements. It can process between 40,000 and 70,000 pieces per day, with peak throughput of up to 2,200 order lines per hour.

The installation comprises 127 robots, 60,000 rack locations, eight goods-to-person picking stations and 200 metres of conveyor.

GXO manages inbound logistics and value-added services for Guess at the site, including quality control and garment conditioning, as well as outbound distribution to retail stores across EMEA and Asia. E-commerce fulfilment for the Benelux market is also being added.

One system for a complex operation

GXO and Exotec worked together to design the automation around Guess’s specific operational requirements rather than simply installing a standard system.

Exotec acted as the system integrator, bringing the different elements together under a single automation platform. The Skypod system provides automated storage and retrieval, while the goods-to-person stations bring products to operators for picking.

The installation also incorporates a 200-metre conveyor network linking storage, picking and dispatch areas, alongside specialised equipment for handling different stages of the process.

The objective is to reduce manual picking effort while providing the capacity to absorb future growth without requiring a complete redesign of the operation.

Scaling with seasonal demand

Fashion fulfilment presents a particular automation challenge because product ranges can change rapidly and demand can vary significantly between seasons.

At the Venlo site, the system can scale from around 40,000 pieces a day to 70,000 during peak periods. GXO says the operation has also become more predictable and streamlined since the system went live.

The installation is intended to support Guess’s retail distribution across EMEA and Asia while providing additional capacity for e-commerce volumes.

For GXO, the project demonstrates how warehouse automation can be configured around the operational characteristics of a specific customer rather than treating automation as a one-size-fits-all solution.