Hermes Fulfilment has installed the first of 61 new high-bay warehouse cranes at its Haldensleben center in Germany. This upgrade is a crucial step for the Otto Group's logistics network, which handles small goods like clothing and shoes. The Haldensleben warehouse, operational since 1994, serves more than 20 European countries and manages returns.
The replacement program will unfold in 9 construction phases and is scheduled for completion by 2028. According to a Hermes Fulfilment representative, the risk of failure for the older equipment is increasing, and replacement electronic components will soon be out of production. This prompted the company's decision to invest in a complete overhaul of the system.
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The cranes will gradually be put into use at Hermes Fulfilment's high-bay warehouses. Photo: Hermes Fulfilment |
The cranes will gradually be put into use at Hermes Fulfilment's high-bay warehouses. Photo: Hermes Fulfilment
The initial crane, supplied by Stöcklin, was installed using a 60 m heavy-duty crane, lowered into the warehouse through a 10 m2 roof opening. In the coming period, 60 additional cranes, each 27 m tall, will be integrated, with each unit dedicated to serving a single aisle. Currently, the warehouse relies on 39 cranes that require a shuttle system to change lanes.
The new cranes are 4 tons lighter and can operate at a maximum speed of 4 m/second. While each new crane can carry three containers per trip, compared to 15 previously, the increased number of cranes and improved technology are projected to boost the warehouse's hourly throughput from 3,500 to 3,900 movements.
A center representative stated that this upgrade reinforces Haldensleben's position as a strategic logistics hub for the Otto Group. The computer system coordinating goods flow had also been upgraded previously. 4 more cranes are slated for installation in Q2/2026, with old equipment being removed, except for components suitable for reuse.
Hermes Fulfilment, a logistics unit of the Otto Group, manages order processing, warehousing, and returns for retail brands within the group's ecosystem. The company operates several modern logistics centers across Germany and Europe. Through its long-term investment strategy, Hermes Fulfilment aims to optimize operations and enhance the customer experience in e-commerce.
Nhu Y (According to Logistics Manager)
