Exotec Expands Robotics Presence in Eastern Europe and South Korea

While most warehouses are not yet automated, mobile robots and automated storage are spreading worldwide. Exotec SAS today announced deals with integrators A1 Sorter and POSCO DX Co. to expand into the Eastern European and South Korean markets, respectively.

Founded in France in 2015, Exotec said it combines hardware and software to build flexible systems to improve operational efficiency, resilience, and working conditions for warehouse operators. The Atlanta-based company's Skypod system uses mobile robots to move goods between high-density storage racks and ergonomic picking stations.

Skypod can increase warehouse throughput up to fivefold with two-minute or less response times for all SKUs, claimed Exotec. The goods-to-person system is fully modular, allowing customers to deploy in a matter of weeks and easily expand without interrupting production by simply adding robots, stations, or racks, it added.

Exotec said that it has been rapidly expanding, with operations in 15 countries supporting more than 30 leading brands spanning the e-commerce, grocery, retail, manufacturing, and third-party logistics (3PL) industries.

European expansion continues

Exotec has been active in Eastern Europe since opening offices in Germany at the end of 2022. The company noted that its strategic partnership with A1 Sorter has already resulted in a first joint project in Poland that is in its implementation phase.

The logistics integrator will support Exotec’s direct sales channel and help meet the growing demand for the company’s robotic solutions. Exotec said it chose A1 Sorter because of its excellent reputation and extensive network in the market, which is experiencing an acute and growing need for more warehouse automation.

The partnership will focus on Poland and the Czech Republic with further plans to expand both companies‘ presence in Romania, Hungary, Slovenia, and Slovakia.

“Getting to the heart of our customers‘ business is what truly inspires us,” said Krzysztof Skiba, sales director at A1 Sorter. “By teaming up with forward-thinking solution providers like Exotec, we’re able to continuously deliver the best service to our customers.”

“The market for warehouse automation in Eastern Europe is experiencing rapid growth,” said Andreas Stöckl, executive vice president for sales in Central Europe at Exotec, in a press release.

“We are specifically seeing a steady increase in the number of project inquiries from Poland,” he added. “With A1 Sorter as our local integrator, we believe that we can establish a solid foothold in this strategic market.“

Exotec enters Korean market

Exotec signed its partnership agreement with POSCO DX at the engineeering and IT services provider's office in Pangyo, South Korea. Attendees included Dukkyoon Jung, president of POSCO DX; Jae-ho Suk, head of the logistics automation business at POSCO DX; Romain Moulin, CEO of Exotec; and Ryu Tatewaki, managing director of Exotec Nihon Co.

The partnership will focus both on the domestic logistics automation market in Korea as well as the broader regional market. Specifically, POSCO DX will integrate Exotec’s Skypod in upcoming warehouse automation projects.

South Korea is the second Asian country, following Japan, to adopt Exotec systems, and the company said it “represents a strategic market.”

“Through this partnership, POSCO DX officially becomes the first domestic supplier of the Skypod system in the South Korean market,” stated Jae-ho Suk. “We are thrilled to venture into the warehouse automation market, and we believe that the flexibility of the Skypod system will prove to be a competitive advantage, especially considering recent domestic fire standards.”

POSCO DX has delivered a baggage-handling system (BHS) at Incheon International Airport, with a total conveyor length of 184 km (114.3 mi.). It is currently building integrated logistics centers and fulfillment centers, including the smart mega-hub terminal for Hanjin.

“We are excited about expanding our footprint in the South Korean logistics automation market and leveraging POSCO DX’s extensive track record of success, including their work on the largest mega-hub logistics automation system project in Korea,” added Gilles Baulard, executive vice president at Exotec Nihon.