3PL Building 130-Feet 3-Level High ASRS System
Ekol Logistik, a Turkish third-party (3PL), will build an automated mini-load warehouse on the outskirts of Istanbul. The Turkish third-party logistics provider will thus benefit from high storage density and optimal performance. More than a hundred mini-load cranes on three levels will form the powerful centerpiece and handle the storage and retrieval of goods of retail and e-commerce orders. The go-live of the highly automated system is scheduled for the beginning of 2027.
With more than 5,000 employees, Ekol is a leading Turkish logistics service provider and operates a national network of distribution centers. Founded in 1990, the company specializes in 3PL services for customers from the fields of production, apparel, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), health and electronics. A highly automated fulfillment center – the “Tulip Warehouse” – with space for 2.5 million cartons is being built in Gebze, on the outskirts of Istanbul. The logistics hub will be serving the retail and e-commerce business of various customers, including a leading European sporting goods manufacturer.
THREE LEVELS OF MINI-LOAD CRANES
What makes the automated solution technologically unique: 102 mini-load cranes will be installed on three levels on top of each other, making the warehouse block about 130 feet high. This setup allows for high storage density with maximum performance, tailored to the needs of Ekol and its customers. A network of almost 2.5 miles of energy-efficient conveyor technology for cartons and pallets connects the individual areas with each other—in total, around 6 miles of conveyor technology are to be installed throughout the entire facility.
İbrahim Buyruk, Executive Board Member in Ekol, states: “As part of this project, this solution enables us to reach a throughput capacity that can efficiently serve both our B2B and B2C operations. This represents a significant step forward in supporting our customers’ diverse needs with speed and reliability. Leveraging the expertise and lessons learned from our previous projects, we are confident this project will result in a highly successful implementation that creates long-term value for our operations.”
"Mini-load cranes are an efficient option in intralogistics. Automated mini-load warehouse technology stands out with maximum storage density, high reliability and a low-maintenance setup.
