KNAPP lands major contract with Arvato Supply Chain Solutions for Douglas’ distribution center

Arvato Supply Chain Solutions, a company belonging to the Bertelsmann Group, has been operating a KNAPP system for Douglas for many years at their location in Ennigerloh, Germany. With their new logistics center in Hamm, which will commence operation in summer 2022, the e-commerce and supply chain service provider will be able to triple their capacities for Douglas, continuing their tried and tested partnership with KNAPP AG.

KNAPP was awarded the contract for equipping the new, ultra-modern distribution center and started construction last year in December. In a total space of 38,000 m², Arvato will be managing all the logistics and fulfillment for orders from the Douglas online shops in the DACH region and the Netherlands that offer up to 150,000 different products.

The first fully integrated beauty platform in Europe

In as early as 2018, Douglas was already focusing on e-commerce with their FORWARDBEAUTY strategy, leading to great success as an omni-channel retailer with a strongly growing online business. Now, Douglas has decided to go one step further to become a fully integrated, European beauty platform that connects online shops, Marketplace and brick-and-mortar stores.

For the new DC, KNAPP AG will deliver a highly dynamic shuttle system with the newest 2D-generation OSR Shuttle™ Evo. This system boasts around 130,000 storage locations, 32 modern ergonomic work stations and a storage and retrieval capacity of 12,500 containers per hour, all managed by material flow software KiSoft.

Years of partnership with Arvato

KNAPP’s order value amounts to more than 50 million euros. “For us, this investment is the largest we’ve ever made in technical infrastructure,” says Frank Schirrmeister, CEO of Arvato Supply Chain Solutions, underlining just how important high-tech automation is today, especially for the booming online business. In addition, KNAPP and Arvato have signed a service contract, allowing KNAPP employees to provide on-site technical system support.

“The installation for Arvato in Hamm will be the most modern and the most powerful of its kind in all of Germany. We’re especially pleased about the partnership and the operation of the system, which will continue for many years,” says a proud Gerald Hofer, CEO of KNAPP.

About Arvato Supply Chain Solutions

Arvato Supply Chain Solutions is an innovative, worldwide leading service provider in supply chain management and e-commerce. Using cutting-edge digital technologies, Arvato develops, operates and optimizes complex global supply chains as well as e-commerce platforms, acting as partners for strategic growth for their customers. Arvato’s customers include internationally renowned companies from various sectors.

About KNAPP

KNAPP AG is a leading technology company offering efficient, safe and economical automation solutions for the entire value chain. Aside from customers in wholesale, healthcare, food retail, textiles and production logistics, KNAPP also counts renowned online and omni-channel retailers such as Asos, Boots, John Lewis, Parfums Christian Dior and Zalando among its customers.