DHL Deploys AutoStore to Support ABB in Finland

DHL Supply Chain Implements AutoStore Solution in Finland to Support ABB’s Manufacturing Logistics

DHL Supply Chain has implemented an AutoStore automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) for ABB in Finland. The project represents ABB’s first AutoStore deployment in the country and expands DHL Supply Chain’s growing portfolio of automated logistics solutions across Europe.

Installed within DHL Supply Chain’s flagship warehouse in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, the AutoStore supports ABB’s inbound material flow to manufacturing and aftermarket service operations for drive technologies. The system has been designed to manage more than 10,000 stock keeping units comprising a broad range of industrial components.

Unlike many AutoStore applications focused on e-commerce or consumer-goods fulfillment, this installation supports the reliable and responsive movement of materials into an industrial manufacturing operation.

“This solution enables us to efficiently manage ABB’s material flow to the factory and aftermarket service operations for drive technologies, handling a broad range of components while supporting the speed, precision, and flexibility required in a dynamic industrial supply chain,” said Antti Saarinen, Area Director Finland, DHL Supply Chain.

Supporting Manufacturing and Aftermarket Operations

For ABB, the AutoStore serves as an important link between warehouse inventory and the company’s production lines. Faster and more reliable access to components helps strengthen delivery reliability while allowing the operation to respond more quickly to changing production and customer requirements.

“AutoStore enables faster and more reliable material deliveries to production lines. It serves as an important link in ensuring delivery reliability and improves our ability to respond quickly to changing customer needs. The solution is an excellent example of our smooth collaboration and our ongoing actions to strengthen customer experience and competitiveness,” said Jyrki Hangasmaa, Operations Manager at ABB.

The implementation builds upon the long-term partnership between DHL Supply Chain and ABB in Finland. The project originated from a joint study undertaken by the two companies to identify technologies capable of improving supply chain efficiency and quality while providing the scalability required to accommodate future growth and seasonal fluctuations.

A Scalable AutoStore Installation

The AutoStore system has been designed for future expansion. Additional robots, bins and ports can be introduced as ABB’s requirements change, without disrupting ongoing warehouse operations.

This scalability is particularly important within an industrial manufacturing supply chain, where production volumes, component requirements and service demand can change over time. Rather than designing the system only around current requirements, the installation provides a flexible automation platform that can be expanded as operational needs develop.

The system also includes a dedicated service tower for robot maintenance—the first AutoStore installation in Finland to incorporate this configuration. The service tower improves the use of available space and simplifies robot maintenance by providing a dedicated area where service work can be performed.

Expanding AutoStore Beyond E-Commerce

AutoStore is frequently associated with high-volume e-commerce and consumer-goods fulfillment. However, the DHL Supply Chain and ABB project demonstrates how the same technology can support the very different requirements of industrial manufacturing logistics.

In this application, the primary objective is not simply to process online orders more quickly. The AutoStore must help maintain a dependable flow of components to ABB’s production and aftermarket service operations while supporting the speed, accuracy and flexibility expected within a dynamic manufacturing environment.

“An AutoStore is often associated with fast-moving consumer and e-commerce goods, but this project shows how the technology can unlock similar benefits in a highly complex industrial environment. Additionally, it underlines a shared commitment to innovation and the continuous advancement of supply chain excellence,” Saarinen added.

The project illustrates the expanding role of AutoStore within industrial supply chains. By combining dense storage, automated retrieval and phased scalability, the technology can provide manufacturers with a flexible platform for improving material availability, production support and overall supply chain responsiveness.