2 April 2025
Online supermarket Picnic is growing fast and has once again chosen Inther Group as system integrator for the intralogistics automation in a new robotized fulfillment center in the Netherlands. After the previous successful collaboration for the Picnic fulfillment center in Dordrecht, which was officially opened by Picnic last summer, this is the second collaboration between the two parties. Completion is planned for the spring of 2026.
More automation
Martijn Herder – CEO at Inther Group: “Picnic is a dynamic company that always wants to do things a little differently, and we are also always looking for better solutions based on our slogan Improving Intralogistics. That is why we designed a fast but solid automation solution for the fulfilment center in Dordrecht, with a focus on efficiency and ergonomics for Picnic Shoppers. For example, we ensure that heavy tasks are carried out by robots.
The experience that both parties gained in that project can now be applied again in the smart automation of the intralogistics process. The new FC is based on a conveyor system based on Inther’s own ICE products (Inther Conveyor Equipment), integrated with products from Apollo, Qimarox, AWL and Niverplast. The design provides, among other things, a mechanized solution for the efficient processing of a wide range of articles. These products will be delivered from an automatic storage system to Goods-to-Person workstations, in order to reduce the walking meters. to be significantly reduced.”
Good cooperation
Co-founder Frederik Nieuwenhuys of Picnic notes: "The cooperation with Inther is good, and it is also great that Inther is a Dutch partner, and that the assembly and production for the European market also takes place at Inther in Venray. Increasing labor productivity is a theme that plays a role in many industries. The fact that we as Dutch companies are joining forces and developing a new generation of warehouse robotization is also good for the Dutch manufacturing industry."
Crossing the border together
In the meantime, the companies are planning the next step: working together in Germany. Herder: “When designing the new location in the Netherlands, we immediately considered the fact that this should be a blueprint for further expansion, also to Germany. Together with our German branch and the international experience that Inther has had for 27 years in setting up intralogistics installations worldwide, we can therefore meet the demand for automating Picnic's German operation well. In this way, the Dutch manufacturing industry is also crossing the border.”