Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) and KNAPP Reach Strategic Partnering Agreement

KNAPP to Sponsor RILA Distribution Committee, Adding Innovation Expertise and Insights to Group

KNAPP announced that the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) and KNAPP have reached a strategic partnering agreement. Under this agreement KNAPP will join the RILA Distribution Committee and add its expertise, knowledge and insights regarding the latest developments in retail supply chain technology – to this core RILA group.

With over 200 retailers, manufacturers and service providers, RILA is a leading association of retailers, representing over $1.5 trillion in annual sales. KNAPP is a leading innovator in the field of supply chain automation with over 3000 employees – providing end-to-end automated materials handling systems, software and support to the retail industry – and delivering innovative, omnichannel solutions to many of the world’s most iconic brands. The company also consistently invests 7% or more of its revenue on innovation research and development.

According to Jessica Dankert, Senior Director of Retail Operations at RILA, “KNAPP is widely praised for their commitment to R&D and innovation in retail supply chain operations, and we’re excited to complete this sponsor agreement with KNAPP, which will benefit RILA members throughout the organization”.

KNAPP VP of Sales Rudi Lueg will join the group for the next committee conference when the group tours REI’s new flagship distribution center in Goodyear, Arizona. It is a net energy negative consuming facility and combines the KNAPP technology with one of the most advanced examples of sustainable distribution center designs.  The REI facility is the latest example of state-of-the-art, “one-touch production” in an omnichannel environment – fulfilling store orders and replenishment, plus ecommerce orders from one inventory, operating at an exceptionally competitive cost, and with the latest technology. According to Rudi Lueg, “REI has met their corporate goals for sustainability and performance with the innovations implemented in this new facility.”  The REI facility has just received major productivity and innovation awards from Modern Materials Handling Magazine and Apparel Magazine, and has just been certified as a LEED Platinum facility.

About RILA
RILA is the trade association of the world’s largest and most innovative retail companies. RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers domestically and abroad.