Skechers and KNAPP Advance European Logistics with New Distribution Center

Skechers, Where Comfort is a Technology™, invests in a new highly automated European distribution center (EDC) in Liège, Belgium. The global lifestyle and performance brand is relying on KNAPP as a technology partner to provide the intralogistics systems for the new facility. Opening in stages that will be complete by mid-2030, the logistics center will start to supply the European market from a single location at the close of 2028 and will be designed to allow future growth. With a footprint of around 230,000 m² (2,475,699 sq ft) and a planned capacity of more than 3.3 million storage locations, the new EDC will represent one of the largest automation projects in the history of European fashion and footwear logistics.

The answer to growing capacity requirements

The existing European distribution center in Milmort in the province of Liège is reaching its capacity limits due to Skechers’ continued growth. The central objectives behind the new EDC are twofold: Ensuring the distribution capacities for the long term in Europe and reducing manual processes to enable Skechers to stay competitive and take action flexibly. “For more than 23 years, Skechers has placed its trust in Wallonia as a strategic base for its European operations – and this new phase is the next chapter of our growth. This massive, automated and sustainable building puts us at the forefront of distribution to Europe and makes us fit for the future,” says David Weinberg, COO at Skechers.

The new tech standard for Europe’s footwear logistics

KNAPP is implementing an integrated process that handles all material flows from goods-in to goods-out in a single solution. At its heart is one of the largest Evo Shuttle systems in the world, which stores Skechers’ cartons across more than 3 million storage locations. Additional advancements include a shuttle system for replenishment and buffering as well as goods-to-person work stations, an automatic pallet storage system and extensive conveyor and sorting systems. All processes are interlinked thanks to the intelligent KiSoft software suite by KNAPP, maximizing transparency, efficiency and scalability along the entire supply chain. The automation makes it possible to process a growing number of orders while keeping availability and service quality high. It has been designed to handle different carton and product sizes flexibly and supports Skechers’ future growth. “This next-generation logistics center was developed in close collaboration with Skechers teams and represents a huge technological milestone. The solution combines a high degree of integration and performance to efficiently handle large volumes and provide excellent service to end customers,” explains Oliver Lehner, Vice President Partner & Products Solutions at KNAPP.

Solution at a glance

Location:                    Liège (Belgium)

Surface area:             230,000 m² (2,475,699 ft²)

Capacity:                    > 3.3 million storage locations

Market:                        Central DC for Europe

Volume:                      Up to 10 million pairs of shoes per month

Technologies:           Evo Shuttle 2D and 1D, goods-to-person work stations, pallet shuttle system, conveyor and sorter systems, KiSoft software

Service:                      KNAPP Smart Maintenance Approach and Resident Engineers

Long-standing partnership as the success factor

The technical concept behind the solution was one of the key factors convincing Skechers to award the commission to KNAPP, along with the companies’ shared years of partnership, the innovativeness of the technologies and comprehensive service concept of KNAPP. KNAPP not only helps Skechers implement the new EDC but will also support its ongoing operation with a Smart Maintenance Approach. It unites predictive maintenance with a Resident Engineering team on site to ensure maximum system availability.

For KNAPP, the project is one of the most significant commissions in the fashion and lifestyle sector in recent years. The highly automated distribution center that will be built in Belgium together with Skechers will set new standards with regard to scalability, performance and supply reliability.

About KNAPP

KNAPP is the technology partner for intelligent value chains. 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 Skechers U.S.A., Inc.

Skechers U.S.A. Benelux B.V. is a subsidiary of Skechers, Where Comfort is a Technology™. Based in Southern California, the Company designs, develops and markets a diverse range of lifestyle and performance footwear, apparel and accessories for men, women and children. Skechers collections are available in approximately 180 countries and territories through department and specialty stores, and direct to consumers through skechers.com and approximately 5,300 Skechers retail stores. A Fortune 500^® company, Skechers manages its international business through a network of wholly-owned subsidiaries, joint venture partners, and distributors.