DHL Launches Fulfillment Center for IKEA in Bergkamen

DHL Supply Chain, the contract logistics division of Deutsche Post DHL Group, has launched a new highly automated fulfillment center in Bergkamen for its customer IKEA. With this state-of-the-art facility, DHL supports the furniture giant in managing its rapidly growing B2C online business in Germany.

(Bonn) The overall growth of e-commerce has been significantly accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading IKEA to urgently expand its required B2C fulfillment capacities.

The multi-customer site in Bergkamen features a total of 40,000 m² of warehouse space and is part of the adjacent DHL Supply Chain Campus Unna, located less than 10 km away. In the future, 20,000 m² of warehouse space will be dedicated solely to IKEA. Around 350 employees will work at the Bergkamen site in a three-shift operation, six days a week for the customer.

By the end of June, the operational processing for IKEA will be fully operational. At that point, an average of 8,000 Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) will be processed there. The on-site inventory can be increased to up to 11,000 SKUs.

Special Packaging Machines

Some goods are sensitive and require special packaging. For this purpose, special packaging machines are available. The automation used at the Bergkamen site is being implemented in Germany for the first time in this form and complexity. For particularly effective order picking, complex conveyor technology automations are combined with robotics solutions from Locus and supplemented with so-called Packsize machines. The system uses a cubic algorithm to calculate the ideal packaging size, significantly reducing packing materials, filling materials, and volumetric weight.

“For DHL Supply Chain, this implementation is another important building block in the consistent expansion of our e-commerce sector, one of our strategic growth areas, as well as in continuing our commercial automation and digitization strategy for continuous improvement in operational operations,” says Rainer Haag, Chief Executive Officer DHL Supply Chain Germany & Alps.

Employees Significantly Relieved

“Thanks to the Locus robots, our employees in the warehouse are significantly relieved due to shorter walking distances, thus greatly increasing effectiveness in the picking area. In conjunction with the employees working on-site, the system increases the processing speed of each individual order, optimizes workflows for employees, and improves operational efficiency,” Rainer Haag continues.

Customized Solution

Kai Fuhlrott, Country Customer Fulfillment Manager IKEA Germany, says: “Retail is undergoing a transformation worldwide. Part of this change is the permanently increased importance of online trading. The changing needs of our customers are at the center of our attention. We are pleased to take another step with the commissioning of the fulfillment site in Bergkamen for IKEA Germany to provide our customers with an excellent shopping experience at all times, whether they engage with IKEA online or in our stores.” Kai Fuhlrott continues: “We are pleased to have found a new, competent partner in DHL Supply Chain, who shows us new solutions and has established a highly complex, customized fulfillment solution at the Bergkamen site in a short time.”

Location Benefits from Logistics Growth

“The collaboration of two significant and leading companies in their industry here locally means a piece of security – for the city of Bergkamen as well as for the employees. In today’s fast-paced world, this is an important aspect. For the city of Bergkamen, the logistics park A2 remains the right decision at the right time. I am convinced: the location has potential and offers the chance to continue benefiting from the growth of logistics – the largest economic sector in Germany after the automotive industry and trade. Logistics is a strong, growth-oriented, and future-oriented economic sector. Therefore, it is a welcome partner for the city of Bergkamen,” explains Bernd Schäfer, Mayor of the city of Bergkamen.

Photo: © DHL