KNAPP
About
About KNAPP
KNAPP designs warehouse-automation systems for retail, healthcare, food distribution, manufacturing and e-commerce. Its portfolio combines shuttle storage, autonomous mobile robots, conveyors, robotic picking and workstation technology with KiSoft software for warehouse control, inventory and order fulfilment.
AeroBot robots travel horizontally and vertically within a three-dimensional storage grid to retrieve containers. Open Shuttles move goods flexibly across the warehouse, while Pick-it-Easy stations and robots support goods-to-person and automated picking. KNAPP engineers these elements as integrated systems, covering simulation, installation, controls, commissioning, service and lifecycle upgrades for high-throughput distribution operations.
Articles
Products
- Open Shuttle Fork
Open Shuttle
Deployments
- Operating use
2025-11-28 - KNAPP reports Open Shuttle AMRs operating in SICK Hungary production logistics at Kunsziget. - SICK Hungary production logistics - Kunsziget, Hungary
Source - Customer site
2021-12-06 - KNAPP automation helped The Very Group process orders at its Skygate distribution center. - Skygate distribution center
Source
Supply
Supply chain relationships
- Dunkermotoren
Inbound - actuation and motion control - KNAPP Open Shuttle Fork uses Dunkermotoren BG95 lift and BG66 steering drives with an E600 lift brake
Source - Framo Morat
Inbound - Motion Control - Framo Morat supplies the NG500 hub gear used by KNAPP Open Shuttle
Source - Dunkermotoren
Inbound - actuation and motion control - Dunkermotoren supplied two BG75 travel drives for KNAPP’s Open Shuttle
Source - igus
Inbound - Structural Components - igus drylin SLW linear axes and E2 micro energy chains are installed in KNAPP Open Shuttle AGVs
Source - B&R Industrial Automation
Inbound - Compute & Control - B&R supplies X20 controllers for KNAPP Open Shuttle safety and mechatronic control
Source - ifm
Inbound - Perception - KNAPP Open Shuttles use ifm's O3R 3D camera system for obstacle detection and travel-path monitoring
Source - Covariant
Inbound - Compute & Control - Covariant supplies Covariant Brain image-processing AI for KNAPP Pick-it-Easy Robot
Source - KEBA
Inbound - Compute & Control - KEBA supplied Linux-based industrial PCs and panel PCs for KNAPP's pallet-conveyor and control-cabinet systems
Source - Siemens AG
Outbound - Warehouse Automation - Siemens commissioned KNAPP to implement AeroBot, KiSoft One and an expanded Open Shuttle AMR fleet at Karlsruhe
Source
Team
- Franz Mathi - Chief Operations Officer - Mathi oversees operational execution for KNAPP logistics automation systems, where development, production, delivery, and customer implementation must align.
- Gerald Hofer - Chief Executive Officer - Hofer leads KNAPP as it scales logistics automation, warehouse robotics, shuttle systems, AMRs, and software platforms for global intralogistics customers.
- Heimo Robosch - Executive Vice President - Robosch is part of KNAPP senior management for logistics solutions, flexibility, investment security, and long-cycle automation partnerships.
Timeline
Events
- 2026-09-15 - Deployment - KNAPP Open Shuttle Fork AMRs automate Cummins plant logistics
The installation combines automated pallet and small-parts storage with KiSoft fleet and warehouse software. The AMRs handle up to 2,000 transport orders per day. The logistics system supplies 190 picking stations in the plant.
Source - 2026-02-24 - Deployment - Siemens selects KNAPP AeroBot for Karlsruhe plant
The planned system includes 21 AeroBots serving 30,000 storage locations across 27 levels. KiSoft One will connect the robotic store with Siemens SAP EWM and the plant's existing warehouse areas. KNAPP also said the established Open Shuttle fleet at Karlsruhe would expand from three to six AMRs.
Source - 2025-10-07 - Deployment - SICK Hungary deploys 27 KNAPP Open Shuttle AMRs
The 27 AMRs supply 30 flow racks across four manufacturing halls from an automated small-parts warehouse. The warehouse provides 52,000 storage locations across four aisles and 28 levels, plus two Pick-it-Easy workstations. KNAPP integrated KiSoft Fleet Control with SAP EWM through a REST interface to coordinate the Open Shuttle fleet and material flows.
Source - 2025-07-17 - Deployment - KNAPP split-tray sorter supports Celio store delivery
The system has operated at Celio's Amblainville, France logistics center since it opened in 2012, consolidating three former warehouses for store supply. The split-tray sorter uses four induction islands, a 504-metre conveyor, 1,019 double trays and 688 release points to route flat-packed goods into outbound store orders. KNAPP reports picking performance of up to 15,000 items per hour, lower logistics cost per item and improved delivery punctuality and completeness.
Source - 2025-03-17 - Award - KNAPP AeroBot wins LogiMAT Best Product 2025
AeroBot made its first public appearance at LogiMAT 2025. The system targets automated storage and retrieval in standard building heights. AeroBot robots navigate in three dimensions using lidar.
Source - 2025-03-03 - Product Launch - KNAPP publicly introduces AeroBot storage system
AeroBot robots navigate independently across floors and racks and use friction drive to climb vertically. A SatBot handles cartons, containers, piece goods and bulk goods weighing up to 35 kilograms. KNAPP designed the modular system for standard building heights and integration with workstations, picking robots and AMRs.
Source - 2024-08-26 - Partnership - KNAPP and Covariant extend AI-robotics partnership
The partners combine KNAPP logistics systems with Covariant AI and image processing. At the announcement, Pick-it-Easy Robot was operating at 26 KNAPP customers across Europe, North America and Australia. The extension targets a broader market presence for AI-powered robotic picking in multiple logistics sectors.
Source - 2024-07-23 - Deployment - KNAPP automates LOGIPACK bottle-return handling
The system brings empty crates and bottles together at one site and automates depalletizing, recognition, in-depth sorting and palletizing, including single-bottle sorting. KNAPP’s Reusables Management Solutions combine with LLS and LOGIPACK expertise to return unmixed crates to reuse while reducing manual handling. AI analyzes the composition of incoming empties to optimize future sorting; the partners report higher performance and quality and plan similar concepts at other LOGIPACK centers.
Source - 2024-07-18 - Partnership - Planiform integrates garment-handling automation with KNAPP
The installation combines Planiform’s Carousel Pick Module with KNAPP automation. The garment-on-hanger system supports picking and order consolidation. Automated storage and retrieval helps use warehouse space more efficiently.
Source - 2023-01-16 - Partnership - Farmasiet selects KNAPP automation for new warehouse
Farmasiet selected KNAPP automation for a new online pharmacy warehouse. The project supports Farmasiet online pharmacy fulfillment operations. KNAPP is supplying automation for warehouse picking and sorting systems in a healthcare logistics environment.
Source - 2022-05-31 - Product Launch - KNAPP introduces Open Shuttle Fork and Store systems
Open Shuttle Fork added autonomous pallet transport to KNAPP's AMR portfolio. Open Shuttle Store combined scalable storage with autonomous mobile robots controlled by KiSoft FCS. KNAPP presented the systems alongside AutoPocket and AI-enabled Pick-it-Easy Robot workflows at LogiMAT.
Source - 2022-03-29 - Partnership - KNAPP extends AI robotics partnership with Covariant
The partnership supports AI-enabled robotic picking in KNAPP warehouse systems. Covariant is the named AI robotics partner.
Source - 2021-12-06 - Deployment - The Very Group reports 30-minute fulfilment with KNAPP automation
Skygate uses more than 400 KNAPP shuttles, almost 640,000 storage locations and 120,000 EcoPocket positions. KNAPP KiSoft warehouse, control and machine software coordinates storage, pocket sorting, returns and dispatch. The Very Group said the site had processed more than 40 million items and could contribute up to GBP 25 million in annual efficiency savings.
Source
Relations
Relationships
- Brødrene Dahl
Qualified Robotics/autonomy Relationship - KNAPP's robotics or automated material-handling technology was used in Brødrene Dahl's documented operation.
- SICK AG
Warehouse Automation Deployment - KNAPP Open Shuttle AMRs were deployed in SICK Hungary production logistics.
- SICK Hungary
Production Logistics Automation Provider - KNAPP deployed 27 Open Shuttle AMRs and an SAP EWM-controlled automation system at SICK Hungary's Kunsziget plant.
- Brodrene Dahl
Robot Deployment - Brodrene Dahl is identified by KNAPP as a customer application for Pick-it-Easy Robot powered by Covariant.
- The Very Group
Fulfillment Automation Customer - KNAPP automation helped The Very Group process orders at its Skygate distribution center.
- Planiform
Partner - Planiform and KNAPP integrated the Carousel Pick Module with KNAPP automation for an apparel-industry customer.
- DCS
Warehouse Automation Integration Partner - KNAPP and DCS worked together on a documented warehouse-automation integration.
