Kuehne+Nagel integrates Libiao sortation robots at French hub

3PL Kuehne+Nagel has installed sortation robots in France after a successful trial. Source: Libiao Robotics
3PL Kuehne+Nagel has installed sortation robots in France after a successful trial. Source: Libiao Robotics

Kuehne+Nagel International AG wanted to improve productivity and flexibility, as well as support for its human staffers at its multi-client warehouse in Châtres, France, southwest of Paris. The global transport and logistics company implemented a robotic order-sorting system from Zhejiang Libiao Robotics Co.

Libiao’s system “enables teams to maintain continuity of operations while remaining flexible and responsive, particularly during seasonal peaks or site changes,” explained Christophe Vandrome, contract logistics director at Kuehne+Nagel France.

Founded in 2016, Libiao Robotics said its autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), nicknamed “mini yellows,” can help reduce repetitive manual tasks. The Hangzhou, China-based company said it has more than 100 patents.

It offers modular unit-sorting robots, automatic controls, scanning and weighing system, chargers, and supporting components for logistics applications. Libiao said it has deployed more than 35,000 sorting robots to customers including Walmart, Orbis JD.com, Procter & Gamble, Skechers, Target, USPS, and China Post.


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Libiao AMRs accelerate parcel handling

Kuehne+Nagel has more than 81,000 employees at about 1,300 locations in nearly 100 countries. The third-party logistics provider (3PL) provides supply chain services to industries and companies worldwide through its network of 400,000 customers and partners.

Seasonal fluctuations in volume are significant at Kuehne+Nagel’s facility in France’s Seine-et-Marne region, so the 3PL needed automation that would work with its existing warehouse associates and be easy to use.

Vandrome noted that the collaborative AMRs “are designed to meet customers’ needs while focusing on the well-being and efficiency of employees.”

Kuehne+Nagel is using Libiao’s robots to fulfill orders for customers in the e-commerce and fashion sectors at its logistics center. The Schindellegi, Switzerland-based company claimed that it is the first 3PL to automate order sorting in this way.

In an initial, successful pilot project, Kuehne+Nagel set up nine Libiao robots deployed in a robots-as-a-service (RaaS) approach to help sort parcels, envelopes, and goods. Thirty percent of the orders placed during the last peak season were processed with the sorting robots during this first phase.

The mini yellows receive packed and pre-labeled parcels in their tilting platforms from warehouse associates. They then transfer the parcels to the correct bin ready to go out for delivery.

Körber Supply Chain, a global partner of Libiao Robotics for the past three years, integrated about 50 AMRs in the Châtres installation.

The Libiao mini yellow robot tilts items into the appropriate bin at Kuehne+Nagel.
The Libiao robot tilts items into the appropriate bin at Kuehne+Nagel. Source: Libiao Robotics

Kuehne+Nagel reports favorable results

Not only has the collaborative technology saved time, but it has also led to a reduction in the error rate, which is now close to zero, according to Kuehne+Nagel.

The robotization of the facility is also leading to the creation of new jobs and new skills in areas such as robot maintenance.

“Our teams are delighted to have these robots, because they enable them to reduce the drudgery of logistics tasks and concentrate on higher added-value operations such as personalizing parcels,” said Vandrome.

Kuehne+Nagel said Libiao’s system is a building block in a wider project to adopt collaborative, flexible, and scalable technologies. The company has widened its deployment of a new generation of robots to consolidate items by order.

Written by

Automated Warehouse Staff