PICARD and KNAPP: Partnership for Maximum Delivery Performance

Friedrich PICARD GmbH & Co. KG are setting new standards in a sector that relies on delivery speed and reliability as deciding factors for success. The international trading company specializing in rolling bearings and linear motion technology invested in the future of their warehouse logistics. Equipped with a cutting-edge automation solution by KNAPP, PICARD is able to improve their delivery performance and expand their location in Bochum, Germany, to include new logistics and office buildings. The opening ceremony took place in May 2025 together with the project teams and partners.

From promise to performance

PICARD supplies customers in over 100 countries. Deliveries are fast, complete and always on time. To make sure they can keep their promise in times of growing order volumes and increasing complexity, they decided to modernize their existing warehouse with KNAPP. KNAPP’s automation solution is tailored to suit PICARD’s needs, improving process efficiency and warehousing capacity.

The investments in infrastructure and innovative technologies will allow PICARD to keep their delivery promise over the long term and to improve their growth strategy and position on the market. “Together with our partner KNAPP, we have created a pioneering solution that is not only tailored to our requirements but also paves the way for future growth and productivity in the years to come,” explains Markus Haeser, Head of Logistics at PICARD. Increasing delivery performance gives the Bochum location a competitive edge and is a strategic move to making the location fit for the future. Besides expanding the technical infrastructure, PICARD also invested in the people behind the processes. New offices, a company-owned gym and large break rooms create a state-of-the-art work environment that promotes employee motivation and health.

Automation with the future in mind

Boasting several warehouses on site, PICARD had already established powerful logistics processes before integrating the new automation solution. However, the complex architecture of the warehouses and the picking processes that, in part, were still carried out manually posed a challenge in the project, especially with regard to optimizing pedestrian traffic and ergonomics. To build on the company’s solid foundation while meeting increasing requirements with regard to shipping and delivery to customers more flexibly, PICARD opted for modernizing their logistics exactly where they needed it. The goal was to make their processes future-proof with the use of innovative technologies and to level up warehouse efficiency, ergonomics and scalability.

At the heart of the new system is the Evo Shuttle by KNAPP Evo Shuttle 1D – an automated small parts warehouse for multiple-deep storage, offering 58,000 storage locations across 42 levels. One shuttle runs per level and aisle, handling the storage and retrieval movements for the storage locations in that area. This approach keeps fulfillment times at their fastest and maximizes throughput in the warehouse. At the same time, the Evo Shuttle makes order processing more efficient, eradicating errors during picking and supplying the five ergonomically designed Pick-it-Easy work stations with the right containers based on PICARD’s order data. The fundamental shift from a classic person-to-goods approach to more effective goods-to-person work stations means employees no longer have to walk back and forth in the warehouses, higher picking performance and improved working conditions. KNAPP tailored the system’s degree of automation to suit PICARD’s requirements in order to maximize performance while minimizing complexity.

The system is controlled by the logistics software KiSoft One, which interconnects all processes, technologies and employees in the warehouse. In combination with KiSoft SCADA and KiSoft Analytics, the system is interlinked transparently end to end, allowing PICARD to track and quickly respond to processes in real time, which is a deciding success factor in a market that doesn’t allow any delays.

Partners on equal terms

PICARD and KNAPP started collaborating at KNAPP’s German subsidiary in Heusenstamm in 2022. This connection soon grew to become a true partnership. “We developed several automation concepts for PICARD and evaluated them together in the project team. Thanks to our close partnership, we could find an optimal solution and implement it successfully. Everyone’s open communication and solution-oriented approach have had a very positive impact on the project,” says Alexander Büttner, Head of System Design Engineering at KNAPP Germany, summarizing the successful partnership. Sascha Krinke-Böhmer, Head of Facility Management at PICARD, was also impressed by the quality of the collaboration: “The key takeaway for me: We not only matched at the technical level. All the people involved had an avid interest in the project and worked towards a successful go-live together. KNAPP and PICARD – a strong partnership.”

The new system reflects PICARD’s dedication to innovation, efficiency and customer centricity, demonstrating how automation is the key to long-term success as an engineering supplier.

About KNAPP

KNAPP is the technology partner for intelligent value chain management. Headquartered in Austria, the KNAPP group provides all-in-one solutions for automation and digitalization, from production and distribution to the point of sale. Excellent service and long-term collaboration make KNAPP the strong partner behind the success of their customers in the healthcare, retail, food retail, fashion, wholesale and industry sectors.

About PICARD

Friedrich PICARD GmbH & Co. KG is an international trading company specializing in rolling bearings, linear motion technology and drive elements. The brand PICARD has stood for technical excellence, high product availability and reliable delivery performance for over 100 years, offering a wide product range and expert consulting. With a strong focus on customer service, the company delivers to stores and customers in the industrial and mechanical engineering sectors in over 100 countries.