Logistics in an Age of Acceleration
The nature of supply chains is changing faster than ever before. Volumes are increasing, delivery windows are becoming shorter, and the pressure for operational stability and efficiency is growing year by year. At the same time, companies face limited workforce availability and the need to build processes resilient to seasonality and demand fluctuations. In this environment, contract logistics is gaining importance as a model that combines warehousing, transport, and value-added services into one coherent operational system.
“At DACHSER, we treat contract logistics as a key element of comprehensive customer service. We combine a global transport network with modern warehouses, integrate their operation with our proprietary IT systems, and consistently introduce automation where it genuinely strengthens storage and picking processes. We also understand that more and more companies need solutions that bring together speed, repeatability, and operational resilience,” says Wojciech Cios, Contract Logistics Manager at DACHSER Poland.
The Synergy of People and Technology
DACHSER’s automation strategy is based on the principle of proportionality: it is not about maximum mechanization, but the optimal combination of technology, people, and processes. The logistics company continuously monitors challenges and analyzes which implementations can effectively address them. This mindset consistently drives the development of DACHSER’s operations.
“In warehouse processes, we focus on four criteria: efficiency, ergonomics, service quality, and long-term stability. Automation is not a goal in itself — it is meant to relieve employees of repetitive or physically demanding tasks so that saved resources can be redirected toward more complex processes, such as value-added services or operational planning,” comments Wojciech Cios.
Automation in DACHSER’s Contract Logistics
Not far from Karlsruhe, DACHSER operates one of the most advanced contract logistics facilities in its network. For several months now, a fully automated AutoStore system has been running there, picking small parts for major customers, for example from the cosmetics sector. The system takes the form of a three-dimensional grid structure measuring approximately 40 meters long, 21 meters wide, and 5.65 meters high, housing 30,000 plastic bins stacked in columns of 16. On the upper aluminum grid, a fleet of robots operates, lifting selected bins with a gripper and moving them within the structure or to picking ports. The solution ensures very high process speed and reliability, enabling efficient operations even during peak demand periods.
“The AutoStore solution at DACHSER’s logistics center in Karlsruhe is the first such system in the entire company and represents a planned step in the automation of warehouse processes within contract logistics. But it is not the only example of consistently implementing this strategy across various points in the DACHSER network,” says Wojciech Cios.
In Memmingen, a fully automated high-bay warehouse with a capacity of 52,000 pallets operates, capable of handling 200 pallet inbounds and 200 pallet outbounds per hour. In Magdeburg, an automatic shrink-hood system has been implemented, reducing material usage by up to 85%. In Berlin-Schönefeld, a semi-automated display-building system combines human labor with high process standardization.
These solutions are integrated with the Mikado warehouse management system — the central tool on which DACHSER’s global contract logistics is built.
The Polish Perspective: An Effective and Integrated Logistics Concept
In Poland, DACHSER’s contract logistics develops based on global standards and tools, but with a strong focus on local market dynamics and the specificities of the industries in which its clients operate. DACHSER teams combine knowledge in warehousing, transport, and supply chain planning to create a coherent operational model in which all elements — from goods reception to value-added services and distribution — function according to unified rules and one data architecture.
“At DACHSER Poland, we aim to implement automation in areas where it truly enhances efficiency and workplace ergonomics: in repetitive operations, quality control, packing processes, picking, or pallet flow management. At the same time, each project is based on an individual analysis of product flows and customer needs. Our specialists — including experts in contract logistics and warehousing — prepare effective logistics concepts tailored to product specifics, industry characteristics, seasonality, and business strategies. This combination of expert knowledge, project methodologies, and the integration of road, sea, air, and rail transport creates fully coherent logistics services that can support both international projects and regional operations,” comments Wojciech Cios.
The development of automation and the integration of warehouse processes in Poland is, for DACHSER, a tool for building clients’ operational resilience. In this approach, the warehouse becomes an extension of DACHSER’s global network, where local teams have access to corporate know-how, internal training programs, and the support of international operational structures. As a result, the logistics provider can offer solutions that combine operational speed with the highest quality, reliability, and process stability — even under rapidly changing demand.
“DACHSER’s contract logistics is a combination of a global network, technology, and operational expertise. It is a model that increases process predictability and quality while supporting companies in building efficient and resilient supply chains. Thanks to intelligent automation and the integration of warehouse processes with transport, DACHSER becomes the partner of choice for manufacturing and trading companies,” summarizes Wojciech Cios, Contract Logistics Manager at DACHSER Poland.
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We invite you to get in touch and see how DACHSER Poland builds effective logistics concepts for clients based on contract logistics and modern warehousing.
https://www.dachser.pl/pl/logistyka-kontraktowa-97
source: dachser.pl,
