In the same year that the KNAPP group reaches its 70-year milestone, its UK subsidiary is celebrating 25 years as a logistics automation provider.
Beginning with a sole employee working from his home office in 1997, KNAPP UK has enjoyed phenomenal growth and today employs almost 300 people across its head office and 15 resident Customer Service sites.
The company counts many famous brands among its customers – including John Lewis, M&S, Boots, The Very Group, Next, British Gas, Clarks and Well – some of which have relied on KNAPP automation for over 20 years.
“Together with my predecessors, Mike Cogger and David James,” comments Craig Rollason, Managing Director of KNAPP UK, “I’ve been privileged to lead the company on an amazing journey of growth. Our success is partly due to the enormous potential of automation, but I believe it’s mostly due to two other factors. One is the drive to innovate that has characterised the KNAPP group since 1952. The other is the fantastic culture that our company enjoys; we call it the KNAPP spirit.”
KNAPP’s innovative technologies and team spirit will be on display at IMHX, which takes place at Birmingham’s NEC from 6 to 8 September. The company’s stand (5E45) will focus on harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence in the supply chain. “AI is enhancing the benefits of automation and even enabling it to be deployed in sectors traditionally difficult to automate,” says Craig Rollason.
The KNAPP stand will feature live demos of its AI-powered Pick-it-Easy Robot. Developed in partnership with AI specialist, Covariant, Pick-it-Easy Robot fulfils orders with a high degree of accuracy at speeds equivalent to manual picking stations but over much longer periods. With rapid self-teaching to recognise different packaging and features, the solution is operational within days. Applications worldwide include online grocery fulfilment for Shufersal, Israel’s largest supermarket chain, and handling of poly-wrapped fashion items for 3PL, GXO, in the Netherlands. “Pick-it-Easy Robot is also available in a Robotics-as-a-Service model,” adds Craig Rollason, “making robotic automation accessible to SMEs.”
KNAPP will also be showcasing the power of AI with its software solutions at IMHX, which will be featured in presentations in the show’s conference theatre. KiSoft Genomix is a self-learning solution for managing master data that digitises the DNA of items – from weight, dimensions and packaging type to centre of gravity, tilting behaviour and more. KNAPP’s redPILOT software is designed to enable management to optimise warehouse operations by creating shift plans, allocating resources and preventing errors. In another seminar, KNAPP will present its successful partnership with Takeoff Technologies Inc to deliver micro fulfilment centres for grocery retailers worldwide.
KNAPP UK Ltd
Tel: 01865 965000
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