An industry-leading provider of intelligent automation solutions for intralogistics and manufacturing, KNAPP operates across 62 locations worldwide. Andreas Salznig, COO of KNAPP North America, discusses the company’s recent award-winning innovations and future aspirations.
RISING TO NEW DIMENSIONS
Largely driven by technological innovation, socioeconomic fluctuation, and shifting consumer expectations, global supply chains have been undergoing significant transformations over the past five years.
Post COVID-19 pandemic consumer behaviors saw an acceleration of digital transformation and e-commerce, fueled by machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI).
As such, an emerging preference for online shopping, coupled with increasing labor shortages, began to push companies toward automation, particularly in warehousing and logistics.
Andreas Salznig, COO of KNAPP North America, remarks, “Today, the widespread adoption of robotics and automation has become essential for maintaining operational efficiency.”
Meanwhile, green logistics continues to gain momentum, with numerous opportunities for greater sustainability emerging across supply chains.
As a value chain tech partner, KNAPP’s activities in North America include designing, developing, and manufacturing intelligent warehouse systems, alongside point of sale and last mile logistics solutions.
Of the 2,000+ automation installations KNAPP oversees globally, a growing proportion of these are in North America – including major customers such as Walmart, who partnered with KNAPP to build four ultra-modern fulfillment centers, with a fifth on the way.
“Whatever complexities our clients need to solve, within our portfolio we can offer the right technology and solution to handle it, from pallets to single pills,” Salznig adds.
Having become a trusted, stable partner for its clients in the healthcare, retail, fashion, food, wholesale, manufacturing, and e-commerce sectors over the years, KNAPP is ideally positioned for continued growth and success.
FLEXIBLE, AGILE, REACTIVE
Driven by its company-wide motto ‘rise to new dimensions,’ KNAPP seeks to embody this theme in its everyday products and processes.
Flexibility is at the forefront of this objective, with agile solutions and the ability to grow and adapt to ongoing challenges and changes in consumer behaviors being key priorities.
“We are proud to have a portfolio of products that allow us to consistently provide the best possible solutions – technically and economically – based on our customers’ requirements. Together, we rise to new dimensions, allowing our partners to do so by improving their service quality and delivery times,” Salznig remarks.
When it comes to supporting its customers, no matter the performance level, storage location, or service required, KNAPP is on hand to deliver tailormade solutions.
Reflecting on KNAPP’s recent participation in the global supply chain conference ProMat 2025, where key speakers from the company spoke on the technology needs of hyperlocal markets, Salznig discusses how ‘one size does not fit all’ when it comes to providing logistics solutions.
“Every logistics solution must be designed in a way that, while addressing today’s requirements and operational pain points, is flexible and agile enough to be adapted in the future.”
Since it is nearly impossible to predict how end-customer needs will evolve over time, Salznig points out how it is vital to build a solution which enables growth, reactivity, and adaptation.
For example, KNAPP’s AeroBot system is an innovative solution that redefines automated storage and retrieval with unmatched flexibility, efficiency, and the highest storage density.
“Currently, solutions that provide an easier entry to automation and are flexible enough to adapt rapidly to market conditions are in demand,” adds Salznig.
Always open to developing new products and solutions, KNAPP’s ongoing focus remains on developing the broadest portfolio of technologies on the market, allowing it to address all market requirements with the optimal technical system solution while remaining cost-effective.
“Key to our success is the fact that all our technologies seamlessly integrate with one another, offering exceptional flexibility,” continues Salznig.
AWARD-WINNING SOLUTIONS
Offering a new level of efficiency to storage and retrieval processes, AeroBot recently received the Best Product award at LogiMAT 2025 in Stuttgart, Germany.
Salznig elaborates, “We’re thrilled with what AeroBot has achieved. At its core, it features autonomous robotics with light detection and ranging (LiDAR) navigation and friction drive technology, enabling movement in all directions up to 12 meters high without using any chains or gears.
“That means we have the simplest possible racking solution with zero maintenance requirements!”
Each AeroBot also carries a SatBot to handle load carriers up to 35 kilograms for quadruple-deep storage, powered by KiSoft software for seamless integration with WMS and warehouse control systems, making it ideal for e-commerce, micro-fulfillment, and manufacturing.
“In short, AeroBot delivers fast, scalable, and intelligent automation – making it a future-ready solution for modern intralogistics,” Salznig adds.
Alongside the award-winning AeroBot, KNAPP’s pocket solutions, such as PocketEngine, are lowering costs, increasing performance, and enhancing services in terms of order fulfilment.
A highly standardized solution, PocketEngine allows for fast installation and realization, while its ability to eliminate time-consuming specification processes means it can offer reduced costs.
Meanwhile, a pocket structure can be installed overhead without interrupting activities on the ground, which means it can easily be integrated at any given brownfield site without disrupting ongoing operations.
“Pocket solutions provide a complete sequence for packing stations, enabling an efficient and fast packing process with very low error rates,” says Salznig.
In addition, KNAPP’s latest deployed pocket solution – the so-called ‘self-opening pocket’ – allows it to operate a 100 percent automated packing and picking system.
“We can directly and automatically drop products into totes and pre-erected cartons, offering a ‘zero touch’ approach,” Salznig adds.
A FUTURE OF INNOVATION AND SATISFACTION
In addition to its work with e-commerce and fulfillment centers, KNAPP has also developed an automated and prescription-specific vial filling system for the pharmaceutical sector, establishing a standardized system for mail order and central fill pharmacy applications.
“Besides our own pill dispensing and counting technology, our KiSoft stack covers all necessary pharmacy processes and reduces operational errors to a minimum,” Salznig explains.
As such, the company is offering scalable system solutions based on the number of prescriptions being handled daily.
The solution can also be completed using tote conveyors and technologies designed for unit-of-use, including an automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS), an A-frame, or a KNAPP store to prepare ready-made orders including pre-packaged medication.
By increasing the level of automation, KNAPP can optimize staff utilization while also lowering operating costs.
“Cost savings are the main driver of pharmacy automation, with accuracy and labor challenges also contributing. KiSoft and automation streamlines fulfillment, saving time and optimizing logistics,” Salznig adds.
As a privately-owned company that stands for sustainable and organic growth, KNAPP spends a significant portion of its budget on R&D to continually innovate.
“We strive to maintain our position as a best-in-class leader in technological solutions,” Salznig asserts.
Looking ahead, the company aspires to elevate customer satisfaction and service, aiming to conclude every project with a satisfied client – an aspiration that Salznig believes is particularly well reflected in its North American operations.
Salznig concludes, “We grow together with our customers, since their successful business case is our best reputation and the foundation for long and ongoing relationships in the industry.
“I’m confident that the North American market has many opportunities for us, and with that, we are always looking for talent to join us!”
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