EDEKA NORDfrische sets
new standards with AI and robotics
The EDEKA Group is one of the leading food retailers in Germany and stands for quality, freshness and tailored store deliveries. The EDEKA NORDfrische Center in Lüttow‑Valluhn supplies around 650 stores with 2,500 different deli and meat items every day. EDEKA processes up to 40,000 containers a day in their 8,000 m² (86,111 ft²) system, maintained at a constant temperature of +2 °C (36 °F).
In 2026, we expanded the existing automation solution with two Pick-it-Easy Robots for fully automatic order fulfillment. The solution helps EDEKA NORDfrische to supply stores with fresh items flexibly, reliably and according to demand.
2 Pick-it-Easy Robots
Up to 450 picks per hour per robot
24/7 picking
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More InformationRobotics is playing an increasingly important role in our fresh food logistics strategy. The Pick-it-Easy Robot is the first step towards automating our business.
Matthias Biermann
Managing Director, EDEKA NORDfrische Center
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How robotics boosts the processing of meat and cold cuts at EDEKA NORDfrische
By integrating two Pick-it-Easy Robots, EDEKA NORDfrische has taken another step towards automated fresh food logistics. The solution assembles orders flexibly, precisely and reliably, even for sensitive items and even as order volumes fluctuate. Each store can place up to four orders a day which are processed and shipped within 12 to 16 hours.
24/7 picking as needed
Less manual intervention
Precise picking
More resilience in the supply chain
We are able to pick a wide variety of items efficiently with the Pick-it-Easy Robot despite our large variety of products. At the same time, we can ensure 24/7 picking if necessary and take the strain off our employees.
Matthias Biermann
Managing Director, EDEKA NORDfrische Center
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Expansion of fresh food logistics at EDEKA NORDfrische
A look inside the warehouse: Overview of processes
When the warehouse was constructed in 2019, it laid the basis for maximum scalability and future automation. In 2026, the two Pick-it-Easy Robots were integrated for order fulfillment. Since the space for the robots was reserved in advance, both of the robots could be independently integrated into the existing system.
Goods from EDEKA’s production facility and external producers are handled manually or by an automatic depalletizing and destacking machine before being put away in the shuttle system via the conveyor system.
Depending on the item turnover, orders are processed at the Pick-to-Light work stations, the ergonomic Pick-it-Easy work stations or by the two Pick-it-Easy Robots.
Once the store orders have been individually prepared, the containers are retrieved from the system in sequence, organized optimally for the routes and automatically secured for shipping by automated stacking machines.
Fast facts
stores supplied daily
items in the product range
containers per day
m² total system size (86,111 ft²)
°C Ambient temperature (36 °F)
Pick-it-Easy Robots integrated
Pick-it-Easy Robot: Fully automated
picking at +2 °C (36 °F)
In fresh food logistics, the Pick-it-Easy Robot demonstrates its full capabilities. This temperature zone involves sensitive products, strict hygienic requirements, perishable items and varying product structures – making fully automatic order processing by the robots ideal.
The Pick-it-Easy Robots process slow-moving items and items with medium turnover rates reliably and fully automatically. The product range includes a variety of items ranging from standardized packages to fresh meat and cold cuts with different weights and characteristics.
Thanks to modern vision technology and artificial intelligence, the Pick-it-Easy Robots identify product characteristics such as surface type, shape and weight. The system uses this information to find the optimal grip point and the best way to handle the item. This allows the robot to pick sensitive items safely, precisely and gently.
The picking process is carefully orchestrated: The robot picks up an item from its source container and places it carefully in one of three target containers. With each pick, the system learns something new: The AI algorithm improves object identification, grip strategies and process sequences continuously.
KiSoft controls the flow of
goods transparently and efficiently
KiSoft software coordinates the processes in the EDEKA NORDfrische Center. The system controls the flow of goods, creates transparency and supports efficient order processing all along the supply chain. During single item picking, KiSoft AppSuite computes which item goes into which container. The system uses the available container volume optimally while maintaining the defined criteria regarding separation between the different product lines.
It gives EDEKA Nord an accurate picture of inventory in all areas, which helps in the planning of customer orders and delivery runs. The system user interfaces are all similar and easy to learn, which makes it possible for EDEKA NORDfrische to flexibly assign their employees in the warehouse to picking or loading or goods-out.
A partnership for the future
KNAPP and EDEKA Nord share many years of collaboration. The current expansion demonstrates how well the existing solution can be upgraded selectively to meet the company’s needs. When the warehouse was first built in 2019, it was designed for scalability. This design choice bore fruit when two Pick-it-Easy Robots were added in 2026, representing another step towards achieving fully automatic picking.
We are already thinking about replacing four of the existing manual stations with additional robots.
Matthias Biermann
Managing Director, EDEKA NORDfrische Center
