Smart, compact, versatile: the future of material handling

The providers of material handling technology and intralogistics systems have proven resilient and innovative in a difficult economic and geopolitical environment. The demand for specialized automation solutions continues to grow. The challenges of digital transformation and the associated automation of intralogistics processes, together with the unrelenting growth of e-commerce, are pushing manufacturers and retailers to invest in modern plant technology with the aim of retaining or even extending their competitive edge through more versatile, efficient, and resilient intralogistics. System manufacturers and integrators consistently rise to these challenges with solutions incorporating the latest innovations in the adjacent technologies of robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), sensor technology, and machine vision. “Many businesses are still unsure about where this technology is going, so they’ve held back on making the necessary investments in recent years,” explains LogiMAT Exhibition Director Michael Ruchty of event organizer EUROEXPO Messe- und Kongress-GmbH in Munich. “There is a tremendous need for information to make sound investment decisions. Meanwhile, system developers and equipment manufacturers are showcasing the potential for optimization through greater efficiency and digital transformation that can be achieved with their latest product portfolios. LogiMAT brings both these groups together for a genuine win-win scenario.”

“Passion for Solutions” is the theme of LogiMAT 2025 as shelving system and equipment manufacturers, systems integrators, and material handling technology providers from around the world gather in Hall 1 (including the Gallery level) and Halls 3, 5, and 7 to present their latest solutions for efficiency and versatility in intralogistics. This group of exhibitors, once again the dominant force at LogiMAT, offers visitors a complete overview of innovations, products, and system solutions for end-to-end process automation in warehousing, order picking, and shipping. This year, the focus is on the integration of industrial robots for the automation of picking processes, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and shuttles for automated warehousing and intralogistical transport processes, and innovations in overhead conveyor technology and compact and vertical storage systems. “The storage systems score particularly well in terms of versatility, with solutions that grow with your needs, and the industrial and service robots are seen as a key factor in process optimization,” explains Exhibition Director Ruchty. “These tools and systems boost performance and mitigate the effects of the shortage of skilled workers.”

Robots for picking and storage

TGW Logistics (Hall 5, Booth 5C21) is showing solutions for robot-assisted picking and mobile automation. Its RovoFlex picking robot uses AI to learn with each pick and can also alternate between manual and automatic modes to accommodate different throughput needs. TGW and its strategic partner Safelog (Hall 5, Booth 5C29) are presenting their Quba robots for the transport of pallets, boxes, and containers. Nomagic (Hall 1 Gallery, Booth 1GA57) is offering live demos of a its fully integrated justPick industrial robot as the centerpiece of its presence at LogiMAT. The AI-guided pickbot solutions feature a robotic arm and Nomagic port for a plug-and-play container-to-container picking system that can be integrated into AutoStore and shuttle systems.

AutoStore (Hall 1, Booth 1J61), the Norwegian manufacturer of robotic vertical storage systems, is joined by several systems integrators including Element Logic Deutschland (Hall 1, Booth 1H21), the world’s first AutoStore integrator, and Lalesse Logistic Solutions (Hall 1, Booth 1C60) to present the latest innovations for optimizing AutoStore systems and integrating them into the intralogistics material flow. AutoStore is presenting its new R5 Pro™ robot for AutoStore systems and highlighting their multi-temperature solution for deep-freeze conditions ranging from -25°C to +6 °C. Lalesse is focusing on flexible, modular, scalable AMR solutions with its Geek+ P800, RoboShuttle RS11, and P40 – robots that optimize the picking process by transporting goods directly to the picking stations. The tote-to-person solution uses the RoboShuttle RS11 and P40 AMR to efficiently transport totes and cartons from racks up to 11 meters high to warehouse operators, while the shelf-to-person solution deploys the P800 AMR to transport mobile shelves to workstations. Element Logic is exhibiting special transfer cells for transferring storage and retrieval processes from warehouse grids to material handling equipment or automated guided vehicles (AGVs). Another highlight from Element Logic is eOperator, a fully automated robot piece picking solution that can retrieve items from AutoStore ports. Element Logic is presenting its systems and solutions in a strictly digital format. Modula (Hall 1, Booth 1C67), a manufacturer of automatic vertical storage systems, is presenting its complete system portfolio – Modula Lift, Slim, Pallet, and HC – for a wide range of applications. Modula Slim combines a compact design with a high storage capacity in confined spaces. Modula Pallet enables the automated storage of pallets, maximizing the available height and freeing up the floor space below.

Resource-saving compact storage system

SMB (Hall 5, Booth 5C66) is showcasing a compact storage system that requires only 0.01 kWh of power for storage and retrieval, while utilizing up to 95% of available space. These qualities result in minimal inventory turnover, higher energy efficiency, and a lower consumption of resources. Rocketsolution (Hall 1, Booth 1F66) is displaying a new shuttle storage system for 4-deep container storage. This solution is also designed to optimize the use of space without compromising performance thanks to its high-density storage concept. Its many options for configuring the front zone, shelves, storage depths, and lift positions make it easily adaptable to each customer’s unique spatial and logistical requirements.

Vanderlande Industries (Hall 1, Booth 1J31) is putting its focus on integrated end-to-end warehousing solutions. This includes the scalable, shuttle-based storage solution Fastpick, billed as the only storage solution on the market offering high-performance sequencing in a small space without the need for conveyor systems or sorters. The latest version of the robot-supported, fully automated carton picking system Storepick will also be on display. Vanderlande will be sharing its exhibit space with Viastore Systems, its affiliate in the Toyota Automated Logistics Group. Viastore is showcasing its Viapal automated storage and retrieval systems and providing information about its current 1D and 2D pallet shuttles for automated warehouses. “Demand for autonomous and automated systems has been growing strongly for many years,” notes Dr. Matthias Schweizer, Vice President of Marketing at the Viastore Group. “Which technology is ultimately deployed depends on the customer’s specific use case, however.”

The Beumer Group (Hall 5, Booth 5C51) is looking to set new standards in intralogistics with its robot-assisted BG Pouch overhead sorter system, which will be presented with an AutoDrop feature. Its robot-assisted loading of pouch and sorting systems replaces the manual loading of pouches and the manual or semi-automated loading of loop sorters. The AutoDrop feature in the BG Pouch System then enables zero-touch, fully automated unloading of the suspended sorting pouches, minimizing the use of mechatronics and the space required in the unloading area. The aim is to significantly reduce order throughput times. Beumer will also be presenting its latest developments in the field of loop sorters and stretch hood technology.

TGW Logistics will also be presenting a robot-based pocket sorter known as SmartPocket. Instead of a drag chain, the system uses mobile robots that move autonomously along a rail network to their destination, even navigating intersections – without any human intervention. SmartPocket’s technology is designed to be scalable to actual demand outside of peak hours. Schönenberger Systeme (Hall 3, Booth 3D51) is coming to Stuttgart to present zero-touch overhead conveyor technology designed to minimize manual work steps throughout the intralogistics process. The fully automated overhead conveyor system receives incoming goods and automatically puts them into storage without any human contact. It also completely automates the processes of separating, picking, sorting, sequencing, and even placement into the package. Self-opening pouch systems are also used when processing flat-folded goods. The pouch sorter serves as the basis for other logistical processes, including buffering and returns handling. SSI Schäfer (Hall 1, Booth 1D21) has also announced plans to exhibit shuttle and overhead conveyor systems as well as robotic applications and the “premiere of a disruptive automation solution.”

Next-gen A-frame technology

New and improved storage and material handling components offer more options for automating processes. Qimarox (Hall 1, Booth 1D12) is presenting products aimed at the growing demand for product lifts, vertical conveyors, and palletizers. The centerpiece is its space-saving Prorunner mk5 vertical conveyor system, which sorts or buffers products vertically and can be used for both ascending and descending product flows. Using two vertical conveyors in tandem connected by long product carriers makes it possible to buffer complete pallet layers, and a configuration with multiple movable input and output conveyors one on top of the other makes it possible for Prorunner mk5 to sort or sequence products. Galler Lager- und Regaltechnik (Hall 1, Booth 1F61) is exhibiting its Omega racking system, featuring steel components that can be used to build both manually operated warehouses and fully automatic high-bay warehouses. Galler seeks to strengthen its position in the growing market for automated warehouses and high-bay silo storage with its flexible system components.

Kapelou Europe (Hall 1, Booth 1F14) and the Dutch Inther Group (Hall 5, Booth 5D33) are showcasing their next-generation A-frame technology. Inther will be presenting the latest version of its storage and picking system as a scalable, fully automated solution for fast order fulfillment. Inther is hailing the newly developed integrated Positioning Unit Measurement Apparatus (PUMA) as the distinguishing feature that sets their system apart from the competition. Moving at 1 m/sec at the top of the A-frame, it uses a sensor-based quality control system to determine the precise number and dimensions of the products in each order wave. Kapelou will be hosting a live demo of it modular, automated A-frame, which can process up to 1,800 orders per hour from 24 channels.

H+E Produktentwicklung (Hall 8, Booth 8D81) is presenting new modules for the transfer of unit load devices to existing conveyor systems – such as Huski suta, a transfer station for stationary applications in logistics centers and production facilities with roller conveyor systems. The Huski suta acts as a buffer section and interface between mobile material handling equipment and production, serving as a transfer station linking the logistics processes of tugger trains and forklifts and enabling fully automatic transfers and contact-free communications using a data light barrier. Joloda Hydraroll (Hall 5, Booth 5D09) is giving industry professionals in Stuttgart a sneak peek at its new automated truck-loading system LoadMatic Lite, designed to support complex loading patterns and fill standard, unmodified trucks and trailers with up to 26 pallets in just six minutes. LoadMatic Lite can be implemented with only minimal adjustments to the loading dock and seamlessly integrated into existing environments.

“Robotics and versatile, adaptable solutions capable of growing with your business will come to define the future of intralogistics,” concludes Exhibition Director Ruchty. “Equipment makers, system manufacturers, and systems integrators are all returning to LogiMAT to present forward-looking solutions for businesses seeking to invest in sustainable intralogistics and process management.”

Organized by: EUROEXPO Messe- und Kongress-GmbH
Joseph-Dollinger-Bogen 7 | 80807 Munich, Germany
Phone: +49 89 32 391 259 | www.logimat-messe.de

LogiMAT also has a presence in various international markets.

Upcoming events:
LogiMAT India: February 13–15, 2025 | Bombay Convention & Exhibition Centre, Mumbai
LogiMAT China: April 24–26, 2025 | SZCEC, Shenzhen
LogiMAT Southeast Asia: October 15–17, 2025 | BITEC, Bangkok, Thailand