German parts manufacturer Ganter is expanding its automated intralogistics operation in Furtwangen, Germany, with a new shuttle system providing around 80,000 storage locations.
The project, part of Ganter’s ‘Strategy 2030’ initiative, is being delivered by TGW Logistics and will go live in stages from 2027.
The expansion will include automated depalletising in goods receiving, where an individually movable robot will provide replenishment for the shuttle and high-bay warehouses.
Ganter’s warehouse management system (WMS) will also be upgraded.
The investment is designed to increase performance and capacity, while reducing manual handling and improving ergonomics for warehouse employees.
“While we do not have any seasonal goods, our selection of products and variants in different sizes and shapes is steadily growing: everything from small to large parts,” said Ralf Beitlich, head of logistics at Ganter. “Such variety renders expansion necessary if we want to be ideally positioned for the future.”
Ganter supplies B2B and B2C customers worldwide with more than 70,000 standard components for machine engineering.
Its Furtwangen warehouse has been progressively automated, with implementation of a tray warehouse and goods-to-person workstations in 1999. A three-aisle automated mini-load warehouse followed in 2007, expanding to four aisles in 2011, before TGW Logistics added a high-bay replenishment warehouse in 2014. Further expansion and IT upgrades were made in 2019, with the original tray warehouse modernised in 2021.
“We have very deliberately chosen brownfield construction over greenfield construction,” said Beitlich. “This decision has to do with the sustainable use of resources and the available space, but also with our close fellowship with the city of Furtwangen.”
IntraLogisteX Düsseldorf will bring together logistics, fulfilment and supply chain leaders on 16-17 June 2027.
