The Austrian Haberkorn company has commissioned Kardex as general contractor for the extension of its existing logistics center in Recklinghausen, North Rhine-Westphalia. The objective is to introduce highly automated handling of small parts and pallets. Haberkorn is a technical distributor focused on the DACH and CEE markets, with a product range that primarily covers occupational safety equipment and technical products. The project consists of a 4-aisle, automated, pallet high-bay warehouse with 5,388 storage spaces, an AutoStore plant on two connected levels with up to 178,800 bins, and approximately 600 meters of automated bin conveying technology. The logistics center is to be controlled via the SAP EWM warehouse management system, implemented by Kardex’s partner company, prismat. A total of 9 pallet and small parts picking stations and 21 packing workstations complete the unique project, which has been developed in cooperation with the supply chain experts, Miebach Consulting. The first of two construction stages began in April and is scheduled for handover to the customer in December.
The new storage areas are being created in a four-story extension that Haberkorn is constructing on a 13,000 square meter floorspace. In addition to logistics, this will also accommodate workshops, offices, and a staff restaurant. The construction and extension of the new logistics center will strengthen the group-wide network of logistics locations within the Haberkorn Group and serve as a central warehouse for occupational safety equipment in Germany. The investment total of 55 million euros is the largest single investment in the history of the Haberkorn Group.
Kardex made a very positive impression on the Haberkorn decision-makers, most notably through the excellent collaboration during the joint concept development and the innovative approach the provider demonstrated during this phase. Another factor was the project team’s pragmatism and the Kardex team’s enthusiasm for the project. The partnership-based approach of Kardex and prismat was also a key factor influencing Haberkorn’s decision. “We are delighted that several areas of the Kardex Group have been able to jointly secure this exciting project combination,” says Kardex senior project leader, Jan Schimmelpfennig.The initial construction stage, already underway, includes the small-parts storage facility being implemented by Kardex AutoStore Solutions. It involves the installation of grids on two levels, with a total storage capacity of up to 178,800 bins. These are to be transported by 97 new-generation AutoStore robots of type Redline R5.1, served by 77 charging stations. Entry and exit are via seven carousel ports and 20 conveyor ports.
Order picking is controlled and supported by Kardex using seven Intuitive Picking Assistants (IPA). With future extension in mind, four bin lifts and six frames are also being installed. The conveying technology connecting the AutoStore bins to the small-parts storage facility is 588 meters long and includes three vertical bin conveyors and two buffer and sequencing elements. In the packing area, Kardex is also installing 14 workstations for the consolidation of packages. In addition, there are 7 workstations for packing mixed goods (pallets and small parts).
The second construction stage, to commence in April 2027, consists of an automated pallet high-bay warehouse with 5,388 storage spaces and will feature four stacker cranes of type Kardex MSingle A-800/18-ZT. Three picking stations with ergonomic goods feeds will be connected to this. Transport of pallets to and from the picking stations is handled by an automated pallet conveying plant with approximately 200 drives, a vertical pallet conveyor, and 10 feeder and discharge points. This construction stage is scheduled for completion and handover to the customer by November 2027.
“Our collaboration with Kardex during the planning phase and the implementation phase, which has just begun, has been seamless so far. For this reason, we are very confident that the time schedule for the various stages can be met and that the extension will enable us to meet our efficiency goals,” says Bernd Neßler, Head of Logistics at the Haberkorn Group.
Kardex’s partner company, prismat, has been implementing the SAP EWM warehouse management system since the commencement of the initial construction stage. The Dortmund-based system provider is responsible for the interface to the Kardex AutoStore Controller and to the SPS controls for the entire conveying technology and the stacker cranes.
Haberkorn is a technical trading company based in Wolfurt (Austria), which offers a wide range of occupational safety equipment and technical products. These include hoses, fittings, tools, machines, connectors, screws, sealing technology, plastics technology, welding technology, workshop and plant fittings, as well as lubricants and automotive requirements.
Haberkorn maintains a strong presence in Germany with eight locations and 835 employees. The company also has locations in Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, Czechia, Slovakia, Poland, Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia. At the Haberkorn Group, approximately 2,400 employees generated revenues of 783 million euros in 2025. For more information, see www.haberkorn.com.
Kardex is a leading, globally active partner for innovative intralogistics solutions. The company, with headquarters in Switzerland, operates production facilities in Germany and the USA. With dynamic storage and staging systems, integrated material flow systems, small-parts storage systems, and automated high-bay warehouses, Kardex provides intelligent approaches to automation.
As a global AutoStore™ partner, Kardex also provides scalable solutions for highly efficient order processing. Comprehensive services across the entire plant lifespan as well as refurbishment or extensions during ongoing operations complete the company’s broad portfolio.
Kardex employs more than 2,900 people in more than 30 countries and since 1989 it has been listed as Kardex Holding AG on the SIX Swiss Exchange.
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