Kardex Selected to Deliver AutoStore Solution for Alfa Laval’s New U.S. Distribution Center

May 2025 – Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. – Kardex, a global AutoStore partner and leader in intralogistics automation, has been selected by Alfa Laval to implement a cutting-edge AutoStore solution at its newly constructed 324,000-square-foot facility in Indianapolis, Indiana. The partnership supports Alfa Laval’s strategic expansion in North America, strengthening its ability to deliver faster, more sustainable aftersales service and spare parts fulfillment to customers across the United States.

Strategic Expansion to Meet Market Demand

Headquartered in Lund, Sweden, Alfa Laval is a global leader in heat transfer, separation, and fluid handling technologies, serving the energy, marine, and food and water sectors. The new Indianapolis facility, located in the County Line Commerce industrial park is designed to expand operational capacity, improve training and testing capabilities, and meet growing customer demand. It forms part of a broader North American growth strategy that also includes recent investments in Greer, South Carolina.

With its existing distribution center at capacity and reliant on a traditional two-aisle mini-load system requiring frequent maintenance, Alfa Laval sought a scalable, energy-efficient solution to modernize its spare parts fulfillment. We evaluated and chose the best-fit technology, ultimately identifying AutoStore as the optimal platform to support long-term operational and financial goals.

Automating for Growth, Accuracy, and Flexibility

The Kardex-designed AutoStore system will automate the handling of small spare parts across a range of core functions, including inbound putaway, lot and batch-controlled storage, kitting, order picking, and cycle counting. Engineered for speed and space efficiency, the system is expected to process over 350 bin presentations per hour, ensuring rapid order fulfillment and full operational support for the next 15 years.

System Benefits and Features:

• High-density storage that consolidates inventory in a compact footprint
• FIFO/FEFO inventory rotation and full lot/batch traceability
• Flexible port configuration for unified inbound, outbound, and inventory processes
• Real-time prioritization of urgent outbound orders and “make-to-order” workflows
• Labor efficiency through automation of repetitive inventory and picking tasks

The solution not only boosts operational performance but supports Alfa Laval’s commitment to sustainability. The Indianapolis facility incorporates smart building design, heat pump systems, and energy recovery, operating with the goal of reducing carbon emissions by 95% and aligning with Alfa Laval’s 2030 sustainability targets.

Strong Partnership Grounded in Innovation

"Kardex is proud to partner with Alfa Laval on this landmark project," said Mitch Hayes, President of Kardex Solutions. "From the beginning, our teams aligned around a common vision to future-proof Alfa Laval’s intralogistics operations while ensuring reliability, flexibility, and long-term scalability. This solution is a testament to the power of intelligent automation in supporting service excellence and growth."

PerA Sanberg, Vice President Operations, Head of Parts, Distribution and Logistics, added: "The AutoStore system will be a cornerstone of our new facility. Kardex brought not only the right technology, but the right mindset. Their partnership throughout the process helped us design a solution that meets our current needs and positions us for long-term growth, customer responsiveness, and operational efficiency."

About Kardex

Kardex is a leading global partner for intralogistics solutions in an attractive and growing market. The Group offers premium automated products, standardized systems, and lifecycle services that guarantee high availability and low total cost of ownership. Kardex provides an intelligent entry into automation with its dynamic storage and retrieval systems, offers integrated material handling systems, small parts storage systems, and automated high-bay warehouses, and acts as a global AutoStore partner, offering flexible and modular storage and order fulfillment solutions. The Group employs around 2,500 people in over 30 countries. Kardex Holding AG has been listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange since 1989. For more information, visit www.kardex.com.

About Alfa Laval
The ability to make the most of what we have is more important than ever. Together with our customers, we're innovating the industries that society depends on and creating lasting positive impact. We're set on helping billions of people to get the energy, food, and clean water they need. And, at the same time, we're decarbonizing the marine fleet that's the backbone of global trade.

We pioneer technologies and solutions that free our customers to unlock the true potential of resources. As our customers' businesses grow stronger, the goal of a truly sustainable world edges closer. The company is committed to optimizing processes, creating responsible growth, and driving progress to support customers in achieving their business goals and sustainability targets. Together, we're pioneering positive impact.

Alfa Laval was founded 140 years ago, has customers in 100 countries, employs more than 22,300 people, and annual sales were SEK 66.6 billion (5.8 BEUR) in 2024. The company is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. www.alfalaval.us