Groundbreaking ceremony for Swisslog's new central headquarters in Aarau. In autumn 2026, the renowned Swiss intralogistics and automation specialist will move to the new location on Weihermattstrasse with around 320 employees.

 Photo: VDMA

The German intralogistics industry had to cope with a 9 percent decline in orders in 2024, but according to the VDMA (German Engineering Association), it still recorded a production volume of €27.7 billion. The industry association expects a further decline in production volume of 2 percent to €27.2 billion in 2025.

SSI Schäfer covers a wide range of solutions, not just for intralogistics. Too broad a scope? "The real challenge," says CEO Peter Edelmann, "is again ." Groundbreaking approaches like "FastBot" are intended to achieve this.

In addition to the new OxyReduct F-Line with integrated self-generated energy via fuel cell, the portfolio of fire protection experts from Wagner for compact storage systems, which have been available for AutoStore or Jungheinrich's PowerCube for some time, attracted strong interest at LogiMAT.

 S. Borghoff

Swisslog has appointed Sven Borghoff as Head of Sales - EMEA Central. In this role, following a brief stint at a conveyor technology provider in Hambüren, he will be responsible for sales in Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.

Wagner's fire protection specialists will present new developments in the field of active fire prevention with the OxyReduct oxygen reduction system, as well as individual solutions for deep-freeze warehouses, high-bay warehouses and compact container warehouses, starting Tuesday at LogiMAT in Stuttgart in Hall 7, Stand C13.

As promised, the "Magic Dice" team will be launching their new technology for smaller companies at LogiMAT in Stuttgart (March 11-13). On the agenda are robot-assisted single-item picking, a new workstation, an "Essentials" software suite, as well as additions in the pilot area and a service tower.

Construction site logistics with a twist: The Austrian scale-up "Baubot" has developed a system that relieves the burden on workers and also increases precision and safety on construction sites. Mobile robotic systems from KUKA can automate monotonous tasks, such as drilling thousands of holes in tunnels or production halls.

8000 tons of material

Pipes as far as the eye can see – with diameters from three to 660 mm and wall thicknesses from 0.5 to 100 mm, made of steel and stainless steel. On 30,000 square meters, Rohr-Mertl cuts, picks, and stores 8,000 tons of steel pipes in a total of 5,000 grades and dimensions. This wouldn't be possible without Kasto.

The robotics specialist Locus and the rapidly growing eCommerce food supplement provider "The Quality Group" (TQG) are introducing the LocusOne Mobile Robotics platform in TQG's new 40,000 m² fulfillment center in Elsdorf, west of Cologne.

Migros' national logistics division is expanding its highly automated dry goods distribution center in Suhr with 14 additional COM (case order machines) with the help of automation provider Witron. This presents an architectural challenge, as the expansion is taking place on the roof of the shipping station.

Max Studer and Arne Holland bring decades of experience in logistics, automation, and software solutions. Now, they have jointly "Xinapartner," founded

In addition to the «Skyfall» system, which still inevitably evokes memories of the eponymous 007 spy thriller, Ferag from Hinwil will once again be presenting modern technologies for suspended conveyor and sorting systems as well as tailor-made service offerings at LogiMAT (March 11-13).

A patented modular overhead crane system from a supplier called CeiliX, designed to revolutionize the logistics and manufacturing industries, will debut at LogiMAT with an "Infinity Crane." It allows for use in areas that could not be reached by conventional cranes.

Current market conditions are challenging worldwide, says Kurt Schmalz, managing partner of the eponymous provider of automation and vacuum handling systems. US demand continues to be a growth driver.