PART 1: REWE and Cimcorp automate fresh supply chain for Berlin supermarkets and stores

REWE, one of Germany’s leading grocery retailers, has automated its critical fresh food operations in its Oranienburg logistics center in collaboration with Cimcorp.

REWE has taken a leap forward in logistics innovation, unveiling its automated fulfillment center for fresh produce in Oranienburg, which is designed to handle the ultra-fast, error-free distribution of fruit and vegetables to over 370 supermarkets and 580 shops in the greater Berlin region.

Working closely with Cimcorp, a recognized pioneer in intralogistics automation, REWE has transformed the heart of its fruit and vegetable supply chain, ensuring unparalleled efficiency, reliability and workplace wellbeing.

“In fresh food logistics, every minute counts and every delivery is critical,” explains Matthias Menzel, General Manager at REWE’s Oranienburg Logistics Center. “Missing the delivery window means a significant financial loss. That’s why we invested in automation that delivers absolute reliability, real-time control and the capacity to serve Berlin and the surrounding regions.”

Ensuring reliable, on-time deliveries

The Oranienburg project stands as a showcase of automation tailored to real-world retail demands. Each day, around 29.000 units are handled by Cimcorp’s automated order-picking system at the center, with seamless material flows governed by Cimcorp’s Warehouse Control System (WCS).

This advanced software manages everything from inbound barcode scanning and depalletizing, through inventory and picking, to precise outbound labeling and shipping – all the while maximizing transparency, safety and system uptime.

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“Our customers expect that our reliability increases every year,” says Menzel. “As stores learn that they can trust our deliveries, it brings improvement not just to our logistics, but right through to the customer experience in the store. We’re no longer fighting to fill overtime hours; instead, our staff are excited to work with new technology and see the benefits of automation in their daily roles.”

The functional backbone of the facility is Cimcorp’s WCS, which integrates robotics, conveyors and detailed inventory management to ensure system-wide transparency. User-friendly dashboards and error-management tools give operators full visibility and rapid response capabilities, further reducing the risk and impact of errors.

The automated picking area uses both FIFO (First In, First Out) and FEFO (First Expired, First Out) principles, advanced workload balancing and stacking that takes both product and ergonomic requirements into account. Full traceability is guaranteed with every crate, stack and pallet uniquely identified, scanned and monitored from arrival to departure. The system is also designed with redundancy – dual robot cells and transfer cars ensure continuous operation, even in rare outage scenarios.

Addressing labor shortages and workplace ergonomics

Labor availability has become a significant challenge for retailers. “Finding employees for the physically demanding jobs in warehouses, especially when it comes to the heavy lifting needed for fruit and vegetables, is getting harder every year,” affirms Menzel.

“Cimcorp automation removes the daily strain from our teams,” he continues. “With this solution, our people can focus on work that is safer, more rewarding and less exhausting. Automation both addresses real ergonomic and labor challenges for warehouse staff and creates a modern, attractive workplace with more sustainable jobs and less physical strain.”

Future growth together

“True operational excellence depends on partnership, fast adaptation and continuous improvement,” explains Riku Puska, Sales Manager at Cimcorp Group. “Together with REWE, our teams have created a solution that fits seamlessly into their existing operations, backed by round-the-clock service and training. That’s how we deliver not just performance today, but peace of mind for the future.”

The Oranienburg facility stands as a flagship in REWE’s logistics transformation, supporting fresh food availability all year round in one of Europe’s most demanding retail environments. Through bold innovation, collaboration and a focus on people, REWE and Cimcorp are not simply moving groceries, but redefining what’s possible in food retail logistics.