FIEGE Automates the Warehouse of Sportscheck in Apfelstädt

Fiege is implementing a significant automation project for its long-standing client Sportscheck. In the multi-user center in Apfelstädt, southwest of Erfurt, the Greven-based logistics service provider is installing one of the largest autostores in Germany on a footprint of nearly 10,000 square meters. In the future, 270,000 containers will be stored and retrieved by 160 robots in Fiege’s logistics center near the Thuringian capital.

(Apfelstädt/Greven) The investment sum for the acquisition and integration of the autostore, as well as extensive conveyor technology and automatic packaging machines, which are to be completed by the end of the year and fully operational by summer 2023, amounts to over 40 million euros.

“In the fast-paced omnichannel business, maximum product availability and minimal lead times are key success factors. With the autostore, we offer Sportscheck an integrative and scalable system that meets these requirements,” says Stephan Wittenbrink, Managing Director of the Fashion & Lifestyle division at Fiege. Since 2014, Fiege has been active in the logistics center in Apfelstädt, among other things, for the sports goods retailer, handling warehousing, nationwide store distribution, e-commerce fulfillment, returns management, and B2C parcel shipping within Germany and to Austria.

More Storage Capacity on Reduced Space

The state-of-the-art storage system will replace the existing pocket sorter, which will be available for other customers in the future. “As the product range, customer needs, and thus the requirements for the logistics concept have continuously increased, the expansion with an autostore was the logical consequence,” explains Wittenbrink. “The flexible container storage provides more storage capacity on significantly reduced space and minimizes manual picking efforts. This allows us to relieve our employees from repetitive tasks and engage them in value-adding processes, which is becoming increasingly important in light of the skilled labor shortage.”

Automatic Packaging Stations

The autostore will be connected to the storage and automatic packaging stations via special conveyor technology. Fiege is also responsible for the installation. Frank Maron from Fiege Engineering explains: “Thanks to our experience and expertise, we can provide our customers with comprehensive automation solutions tailored to their requirements, significantly contributing to process simplification and time savings.”

Logistics Processing at a New Level

Christian Marzinzik, CFO of Sportscheck GmbH, is also looking forward to the joint project: “In recent years, we have steadily expanded our collaboration with Fiege. Our partnership is characterized by mutual trust and very open communication. We are pleased to have now signed another long-term contract. Through the autostore, Fiege significantly contributes to elevating our logistics processing and thus the service for our customers to a completely new level.”

Photo: © FIEGE