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Flexible Automation in Bern
At Logistics & Automation on January 28th/29th in Bern, Dematic will present its flexible automation portfolio with solutions for new customers and for expanding existing systems, its autonomous mobile robots (AMR), AutoStore systems and pallet shuttles.
"Adjustments are unavoidable"
Zalando calls it "a difficult but necessary decision": the logistics center in Erfurt, Germany, is to be closed by the end of September. For more than ten years, 2,700 employees there made a significant contribution to the company's success. Now, restructuring is underway.
Fleet management in three stages
Forklift manufacturer Still, with its broad portfolio of in-house solutions for these situations, is calling on logistics companies at the start of the new year to operate their vehicle fleets efficiently and make the best possible use of potential savings. If necessary, this can of course be supported by AI.
Beumer expands production in China
The 90th anniversary of material flow solutions specialist Beumer and the 20th anniversary of its presence in China not only coincide. At the end of 2025, a new, state-of-the-art production facility also went into operation in Taicang, China, which is intended to expand Beumer's global production capacities.
A vibrant industry platform in every respect
On January 28th and 29th, "Logistics & Automation" will once again present future approaches to corporate logistics. Organizer Easyfairs discusses (part 3) with Peter Spycher, President of the Swiss Intralogistics Association, the leading Swiss platform for (intra)logistics, materials handling technology, and warehouse automation.
2900 product channels under control
SSI Schäfer is realizing a highly dynamic warehouse for the French pharmaceutical distributor CERP as a greenfield project with a high degree of automation, featuring a shuttle system and over 90,000 storage locations at its core, two piece picking robots, three pick stations and over 2900 product channels.
Bruno Jacques is the new head of healthcare
Bruno Jacques is the new CEO of Yusen Logistics Healthcare (Europe) and Vice Managing Director of Yusen Logistics Europe. He joined Yusen Logistics in 2018 as Managing Director of Yusen Logistics Benelux and Nordics, and at the beginning of 2024 his responsibilities were expanded to include Germany and Switzerland.
Sea freight with biofuel
The formula for biodiesel made from residual and waste materials is "Ucome" (Used Cooking Oil Methyl Ester) , which reputable suppliers claim offers CO₂ savings of over 90% compared to fossil diesel. DHL and CMA CGM now intend to accelerate the use of this biofuel.
With royal blessing
Not a battery-powered train the size of a model railway circling the Christmas tree, but seven real Mireo Plus B trains from Siemens: King Frederik of Denmark today inaugurated the trains that will replace the old diesel fleet in West Jutland and provide quiet, emission-free rail transport there.
Material Flow Congress integrated
The German Material Flow Congress will have a more live character in 2026, taking place as part of the Intralogistics Test Camp at the Westfalenhalle in Dortmund. During the conference, 25 speakers will discuss the trends of 2026 in technical logistics on April 15th and 16th.
2900 product channels under control
2900 product channels under control
SSI Schäfer is realizing a highly dynamic warehouse for the French pharmaceutical distributor CERP as a greenfield project with a high degree of automation, featuring a shuttle system and over 90,000 storage locations at its core, two piece picking robots, three pick stations and over 2900 product channels.
The «Centre d'Études de la Répartition Pharmaceutique» is a major logistics service provider for pharmacies, known for its independent, cooperative structure owned by the pharmaceutical trade, as well as for the safe and fast supply of medicines, medical devices and health products.
Highly dynamic solution
The greenfield project in the town of 7000 inhabitants in the Essone department, 14 km south of Paris, is intended to seamlessly take over the processes of the existing site in Le Plessis-Robinson, France, using fast and ergonomic order picking based on the goods-to-person principle to process around 30,000 stock-keeping units (SKUs) on 15,000 m²
As part of the Astera Group, CERP operates a large network of distribution centers in France and Belgium, offering logistics solutions that integrate technological innovations such as automation and digitalization (e.g., in invoice processing) to increase efficiency for pharmacies. Many of the pharmacies supplied are also members or shareholders. This close relationship strengthens customer loyalty and makes the pharmaceutical wholesaler a long-term partner for many.
Long-term partner
CERP and SSI Schäfer have been successfully implementing joint projects for several years. CERP has proven to be a particularly innovative partner, breaking new ground together with the intralogistics expert – from pilot projects to the development of customized solutions at the highest technological level. This is also the case in Wissous.
Photo: Mairie de Wissous
The innovative solution comprises storage and picking systems, storage containers, conveyor technology, a pusher sorter for seamless shipping processing, and intelligent software. The entire system is controlled by the WAMAS Warehouse Control System (WCS), which coordinates all processes in real time, significantly increasing efficiency, throughput, and process reliability. Maximum transparency is ensured by the integrated WAMAS Control Center, which acts as a central monitoring and information hub for all operations.
Smooth transaction
The concept is complemented by comprehensive services, technical support, targeted training, structured spare parts management, and the WAMAS Maintenance Center, a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) for the efficient management of maintenance measures. "With the new facility, we are consistently pursuing our strategic goal of expanding our position as an essential partner for supplying pharmacists with pharmaceuticals," reports Jérôme Ibar, Technical Director at CERP. "The logistics center is perfectly tailored to our requirements and enables us to implement further automation and support future growth."
The new plant in Wissous is scheduled to open in October 2026. The challenges are demanding: a tight schedule, the parallel coordination of various trades, and commissioning planned for late 2027/early 2028. Both partners are confident that this project will also be a complete success.
www.ssi-schaefer.com
