PRESS RELEASE

Issued 18 November 2013 – for immediate release

KNAPP wins large order from online store wehkamp.nl

KNAPP AG will realise the automated handling systems in a new distribution centre for the e-commerce specialist, wehkamp.nl, in the Netherlands. As the leading online retailer in the Netherlands, wehkamp.nl sells a huge range of goods including fashion, homewares, computing & electronics, toys, electrical appliances, media and beauty products.

The Dutch e-commerce giant is currently enjoying 15-20 per cent annual growth, allowing it to invest in a new, high-performance distribution centre in Zwolle. With 1.7 million registered customers, a predicted portfolio of 200,000 items and 20 million shipments per year, the requirements of the new wehkamp.nl distribution centre will be challenging. Apart from enormous volumes being shipped and a constantly changing product range, the main concern for wehkamp.nl is to ensure high levels of customer service. With the requirement for same-day and next-day deliveries, the system will have to be able to react quickly and deal with late orders. These demands require a versatile and flexible solution, capable of adapting quickly to the changing requirements of online commerce.

These factors convinced wehkamp.nl to choose KNAPP's e-commerce solution, with OSR Shuttle^TMtechnology at its core. The OSR Shuttle^TMsystem will feature half a million storage locations and process 98 per cent of the entire order volume. Ergonomically designed Pick-it-Easy workstations will be used for goods-to-person picking in an intuitive workflow that minimises errors. With ‘one-touch picking', it will be possible to make a customer order ready for dispatch within 30 minutes of the order being received. Dispatch tasks – such as dispatch sorting and finishing, including document insertion and closing of dispatch cartons or bags – will be carried out automatically and the KiSoft warehouse logistics software will guarantee efficient processing and permanent control of all operations.

The new warehouse is scheduled for start-up in 2015 and will be capable of shipping 200,000 items per day. René Wolters, Managing Director of KNAPP Benelux BV, is delighted about the new order:"This project is a prime example of our philosophy of ‘Making Complexity Simple'. With the tried-and-tested OSR Shuttle^TMsolution, all articles are available at all times, regardless of turnover category. The solution also has an entirely modular structure. The co-operation with wehkamp.nl has been outstanding, and we are looking forward to realising this project successfully."

-------- E N D S --------

A high-resolution version of the image below is available on request to:heidi@bridgeland-copyright.co.uk

OSR Shuttle.jpg

About KNAPP AG
KNAPP AG operates internationally in the field of warehouse automation and warehouse logistics software. The company, headquartered in Austria, has 2,300 employees worldwide. The high export quota of 98% reflects the international character of the business: KNAPP has 20 subsidiaries and 13 representative offices around the globe. In the past fiscal year, the company achieved a turnover of 380 million Euros, the highest since its founding.

Company contact:
Mr Craig Rollason, Managing Director
KNAPP UK Ltd
Tel:  01844 202149

Media contact:
Heidi Scott, Partner
Bridgeland Copyright
Tel: 01622 832598
E-mail:heidi@bridgeland-copyright.co.uk