Warehouse automation: Hellmann and Exotec sign global framework agreement
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Warehouse automation: Hellmann and Exotec sign global framework agreement
Osnabrueck / Munich, February 26, 2026. The global logistics service provider Hellmann Worldwide Logistics and Exotec, a specialist in warehouse automation solutions and scalable robotics systems for intralogistics, have signed a global framework agreement. The partnership aims to advance automation within Hellmann Contract Logistics and transform key supply chain processes through a consistent goods-to-person fulfillment approach. An initial project in the healthcare sector has already launched, with additional implementations currently in planning across further industries and regions.
Through this partnership, Hellmann and Exotec are addressing the increasing complexities of intralogistics. Rising customer demands, fluidizing customer expectations, volatile order volumes, and ever-shorter cut-off times require scalable and highly responsive fulfillment structurization. At the same time, the shortage of skilled workers increases the need for automation to relieve employees in the long term and optimize capacity utilization. Advanced warehouse automation systems enable Hellmann to absorb volume fluctuations more effectively and enhance process reliability. Exotec's modular solution will establish flexible, efficient, end-to-end automation in Hellmann's Contract Logistics sites worldwide. This automation can be quickly and easily adapted to constantly changing market requirements.
Healthcare industry as first joint focus
As part of the cooperation, Hellmann is implementing the first automation project at a German healthcare customer site. This industry, an integral part of medical care, places particularly high demands on delivery speeds and reliability. The solution enables end-to-end automation of warehouse operations, from receiving goods to shipping them, using a goods-to-person fulfillment system. After an employee checks the goods, dynamic robots automatically store them in a system designed for healthcare products. The high-performance retrieval system enables extremely short throughput times and late cut-off and order times for customers.
“In a volatile market environment, flexibility and short-term scalability are playing an increasingly important role in contract logistics. As a company, we need to respond quickly and agilely in order to reliably meet our customers' needs while protecting our employees from excessive workloads,” says Volker Sauerborn, COO Contract Logistics, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics. “With Exotec's automation solutions, we can complement our services in a meaningful and targeted way with state-of-the-art intralogistics technology.”
“The partnership with Hellmann Worldwide Logistics is a significant step for us,” says Markus Schlotter, Managing Director Central Europe at Exotec. “Together, we are pooling our expertise to offer customers tailor-made and future-proof solutions. We look forward to supporting Hellmann in responding flexibly to changing customer projects and market requirements.”
About Exotec
Exotec is a global warehouse automation leader delivering flexible, reliable end-to-end robotic solutions for modern fulfillment operations. By designing and manufacturing its own technology and solutions, Exotec serves as a single automation provider, reducing complexity and risk while accelerating time to value compared to traditional systems. Over 50 industry-leading brands including Oxford Industries (Tommy Bahama, Lilly Pulitzer), Carrefour, Decathlon, and UNIQLO trust Exotec to improve operations across 200+ sites worldwide. Learn more at Exotec.com.
Sabrina Seubert Senior Marketing Manager sabrina.seubert@exotec.com Exotec Deutschland GmbH LabCampus 48 85356 München-Flughafen
About Hellmann
Hellmann Worldwide Logistics is a global logistics service provider with a comprehensive service portfolio that includes air- and sea freight, road and rail transport, and contract logistics. With annual sales of EUR 3.8 billion and around 12,000 employees in 61 countries, Hellmann moves over 20 million shipments annually. Based on this broad product range and many years of experience, Hellmann offers innovative logistics solutions for the complex requirements of each individual customer and relies on visionary technical products to ensure maximum customer transparency while creating a more efficient supply chain.
Christiane Brüning Global Head of Corporate Communications Mobile: + 49 151 2034 0316 E-Mail christiane.bruening@hellmann.com Anna Lena Pyhel Consultant Corporate Communications Mobile: + 49 151 2034 0193 E-Mail: annalena.pyhel@hellmann.com Elbestraße 1 D-49090 Osnabrück
www.hellmann.com Thinking Ahead - Moving Forward Handelsregister / Commercial Register Osnabrueck HRA 3760 Komplementärin / General Partner: Hellmann Verwaltungs SE Handelsregister / Commercial Register Osnabrueck HRB 212008 Vorstand / Managing Directors: Jens Drewes (CEO), Martin Eberle, Stefan Borggreve, Madhav Kurup Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats der Hellmann Verwaltungs SE / Chairman of the Supervisory Board: Dr. Thomas Lieb USt-IdNr. / V.A.T. Id. no.: DE 11 76 59 402 We operate exclusively in accordance with the German Freight Forwarders' Standard Terms and Conditions 2017 (Allgemeine Deutsche Spediteurbedingungen 2017 – ADSp 2017) and – if they do not apply for performing (supplementary) logistics services – with the General Terms and Conditions of Logistics-Services Providers (Logistik-AGB), as of March 2006. Note: In clause 23 the ADSp 2017 deviate from the statutory liability limitation in section 431 of the German Commercial Code (HGB) by limiting the liability for multimodal transportation with the involvement of sea carriage and an unknown damage place to 2 SDR/kg and, for the rest, the customary liability limitation of 8.33 SDR/kg additionally to Euro 1.25 million per damage case and EUR 2.5 million per damage event, but not less than 2 SDR/kg. You can find the ADSp 2017 here: www.hellmann.com/ffst and the Logistik-AGB 2006 here: www.hellmann.com/loggtc. For further information on the subject of data protection and our handling of personal data please refer to the following link: www.hellmann.com/privacy