Hamburg, Germany, 06 March 2026. As a general contractor, Körber implemented the technological centerpiece of Daimler Truck’s Global Parts Center in Halberstadt, the new hub for worldwide spare parts supply. Thanks to the seamless integration of systems and automation technologies from various manufacturers, the facility was operational in less than a year and a half.
As a system integrator, Körber won the project with a holistic concept combining multiple systems. “In the automotive sector, it’s common to orchestrate highly specialized suppliers and trades so that the end product is optimal,” says Achim Aberle, CEO of Körber Supply Chain Automation GmbH. “We aimed to apply this principle as a general contractor to automation and the associated construction services. The trust of our client was a great help. During the implementation phase, we essentially had free rein from the floor slab onwards.”
Körber delivered a highly automated solution that addresses the complexity of global parts supply and the high demands for flexibility and efficiency, while also being quick to implement. At the core of the solution are a fully automated high-bay warehouse and a small parts warehouse, into which Körber integrated an AutoStore system from solution provider Element Logic. In its current configuration, the system includes 56 robots and nearly 160,000 bin locations, with the potential to double capacity if needed. AutoStore systems are known for both scalability and rapid deployment—in this case, around six months—which allowed bin capacities to be used significantly earlier than originally planned.
To make the material flow from the small parts warehouse equally efficient, Körber relies on state-of-the-art transport robotics from its partner Carrybots. Thirty AGVs provide seamless, automated connections between the AutoStore small parts warehouse and manual packing stations. If needed, throughput of 300 boxes per hour can easily be increased by adding more vehicles to the fleet. With maximum flexibility, scalability, and efficiency, Körber and Carrybots are thus making a decisive contribution to the long-term viability of the complete solution.
The high-bay warehouse, constructed in silo style, offers more than 70,000 storage locations for medium and bulky items, which are fully automatically stored and retrieved via 49 RGV vehicles in the pre-zone and 21 stacker cranes in the aisles.
Material flow control was implemented by the system integrator using SAP EWM MFS. In addition to the warehouse systems, Körber was also responsible for building services and the complete electrification of the high-bay warehouse, as well as the silo-racking system including roof and wall cladding.
