Case Study: G. Umbreit achieves same-day, shelf-level book distribution at 6,000 books/h with Körber AG

G. Umbreit - Customer Case Study

G. Umbreit, Germany’s third-largest retail book dealer, sought to automate and expand its Central Goods Receiving operation at the Bietigheim‑Bissingen site to offer additional logistics services and faster processing for publishers and stores. Körber AG was engaged to supply and integrate a sorter solution for the book trade — including a vertical crossbelt sorter, a feed sorter with six workstations, the sorter control system, and connection to Umbreit’s existing logistics systems.

Körber AG implemented a new automated concept: incoming books are scanned at six workstations, labeled, conveyed to a vertical crossbelt sorter with roughly 150 circulating cars and 60 discharge terminals, and placed into 450 shelving positions for order consolidation. The system processes up to 6,000 books per hour, enables same‑day handling and delivery down to individual store shelves, reduces energy use with an efficient drive, and requires minimal maintenance — boosting throughput and expanding Umbreit’s logistics service offerings.

G. Umbreit