Continuing its long-standing partnership with KNAPP, Migros Cooperative Aare has implemented a fully automated intralogistics system featuring SAP® Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) with Material Flow System (MFS) by KNAPP. This cutting-edge solution enhances operational efficiency, maximizes space utilization, and enables high-speed processing of fresh food orders for over 150 Migros stores.

The new automation system in Schönbühl delivers outstanding performance, processing up to 8,400 standard containers per hour—from goods-in to goods-out—ensuring store-specific pallet assembly and optimized delivery of meats, dairy, produce, baked goods, and convenience foods. Tailored to meet the diverse needs of Migros stores, which vary in size and layout, the solution was developed to provide consistent, efficient, and cost-effective fulfillment.

KNAPP’s intelligent system automatically depalletizes, unpacks, stores, sequences, and repalletizes standard containers used by Migros. Innovative Vision technology analyzes mixed pallets before depalletizing begins, enabling gentle and precise handling—crucial for maintaining the quality of sensitive fresh food items.

“With the new platform, we can continue to fulfill our supply mandate in the future and ensure that our customers can find fresh products in the best quality every day. Thanks to modern technologies, we are equipped to track our goods end-to-end from the supplier to customer systematically. This is a big step forwards.”-Bernard Gruhl, Head of Operations, Migros Aare.

Goods are temporarily stored in either the Evo Shuttle system, with 37,400 locations, or a high-bay warehouse with 2,000 locations. Orders are then rapidly sequenced via 14 Fastboxes, ensuring the correct order of goods for final dispatch. Robotic palletizing units complete the process by assembling store-specific pallets automatically.

The fully integrated software solution SAP® EWM by KNAPP serves as the central intelligence of the system, combining the roles of Warehouse Management System (WMS) and Warehouse Control System (WCS). It orchestrates every process—from container recognition to order assembly—while enabling seamless connectivity across all warehouse areas.

“We have been at Migros’ side for over 19 years. During this time, their business has developed, and we have been their first point of contact when the market changes.”-Bernhard Rottenbücher, Executive Vice President, KNAPP.

Using data collected by KNAPP’s Vision technology, SAP® EWM calculates optimal pallet configurations via a custom-developed algorithm. The system factors in food safety regulations, storage best practices, and transport efficiency to ensure reliable and compliant fulfillment. A 3D visualization dashboard offers real-time tracking of pallet formation and system performance.

This latest deployment marks the ninth location where Migros uses KNAPP technology, reinforcing a 19-year collaboration between the two companies. The solution in Schönbühl adds to Migros’s existing suite of KNAPP-powered systems, including both store delivery FAST solutions and e-commerce fulfillment platforms optimized for online grocery retail.