The order volume of leading intralogistics automation provider, Knapp AG, topped €1bn for the first time in the company’s history in the business year 2018-2019. Net turnover rose by 34.5% to €954m and profits were also up by an impressive 44.2%, with an EBIT of €65.2m. “With yet another period of solid growth,” commented Gerald Hofer, CEO, “and high demand for warehouse automation, the outlook for Knapp continues to be bright.”
The Knapp group develops leading-edge storage, picking and transport technologies, along with powerful software. Headquartered in Graz, Austria, the group employs more than 4,500 staff worldwide, an increase of 50% since 2016. “Innovation and development remain two of Knapp’s main focuses,” said chief operating officer Franz Mathi. “In the last financial year, the company invested over €43m in buildings and facilities, and a further €48m in R&D – an increase of 25%.”
A new headquarters building is planned for the US, where the company’s subsidiary is currently installing one of the largest systems ever delivered by Knapp. This new facility – for Digi-Key Electronics at Thief River Falls, Minnesota – has been designed to store 1.66 million SKUs using Knapp’s OSR Shuttle™ Evo technology, with over 1000 shuttles supporting goods-to-person order fulfilment.