Warehouse automation specialist, KNAPP, has provided a number of informative events for its clients and prospective customers this autumn.

The series kicked off with a trip to two of KNAPP’s key installations in the UK – The Co-operative Pharmacy in Stoke-on-Trent and John Lewis in Milton Keynes – on 9 and 10 September. An international group of customers and prospective clients visited the facilities to view the automated handling systems supplied by KNAPP. Explains Craig Rollason, Head of Sales & Marketing for KNAPP UK Ltd, “These two sites provide a great showcase for us, partly because they feature a broad range of our storage and order picking technologies, but also because The Co-operative Pharmacy and John Lewis both operate their distribution centres in a truly professional way.” At The Co-operative Pharmacy’s 190,000 sq ft Meir Park facility, visitors were able to view the highly automated handling solution in action – including the miniload ASRS, A-frame autopicker, 3700 metres of conveyor systems and robotic palletizing equipment. After dinner and overnight accommodation at the prestigious Whittlebury Hall, visitors arrived at the 650,000 sq ft, state-of-the-art distribution centre of John Lewis at Magna Park, Milton Keynes. As well as seeing at first hand KNAPP’s pick-to-light systems, ASRS and OSR ShuttleTM storage concept, the party also enjoyed a presentation by Dino Rocos, Operations Director for John Lewis Partnership, in which he explained the retailer’s strategy for coping with the exponential growth in its direct-to-customer sales.

Next on the hospitality schedule was a Customer Support Open Day, which took place at KNAPP UK’s headquarters in Long Crendon, near Aylesbury, on Wednesday 22 September. The event allowed clients to find out more about KNAPP, including its wide range of customer support services. Says Ebb Kretschmer, Head of Customer Services for KNAPP UK, “With over 65 of our employees dedicated to providing the best in maintenance, repair and upgrades, we offer a wide range of added-value services with cost-saving potential – such as wiring inspections, thermal imaging, leak detection, health & safety training, racking inspections and crane rail assessments.” Also presenting their services at the open day were Dürkopp Fördertechnik and Moving – both partners within the KNAPP Group – as well as a number of trusted associates that included compressed air specialists, A W Sterne Ltd; energy-efficient lighting suppliers, Chalmor Ltd; preventative maintenance software provider, Key Computer Applications Ltd; and health & safety software specialist, EOA Systems.

Finally, selected customers from the UK visited the headquarters of the KNAPP Group in Graz, Austria, from 11 to 13 October as part of the Month Of Visitors Event (MOVE). After enjoying either a round of golf or a city tour on the first afternoon, visitors arrived at KNAPP HQ the next morning and were introduced to KNAPP’s key concepts of the Low Complexity Warehouse and the Zero Defect Warehouse – as well as a presentation on sustainability in logistics – before heading out for a vineyard visit in the renowned wine-making region of Styria. The following day’s agenda covered the key sectors of pharmaceuticals, e-commerce, fashion and retail, as well as giving an overview of KNAPP’s Customer Service offering. Comments Craig Rollason, Head of Sales & Marketing for KNAPP UK Ltd, “This is the third successive year that we have held MOVE and invited customers from around the world to discover more about KNAPP’s philosophy and technology. Once again, clients from the UK found the experience both enjoyable and highly educational.”

KNAPP UK Ltd

Mr Craig Rollason,

Head of Sales & Marketing

Tel: 01844 202149

E: craig.rollason@KNAPP.com

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