KAPELOU 2024: a year of challenges and transformations

KAPELOU’s contribution to the development of the warehouse automation market

The demand for warehouse automation is constantly increasing. This is due to the development of the global and especially the European warehouse logistics market.

According to Precedence Research, the global warehouse automation market will reach $95.45 billion by 2034. Today, automation is an affordable solution for companies that want to remain competitive and meet the following challenges:

• the growth of the e-commerce market – an increase in the number of online orders requiring faster order picking
• labor shortages, rising labor costs
• shortage of warehouse space – the need to increase warehouse capacity, the rising price of each square meter of warehouse space
• productivity growth – order fulfillment requires high accuracy, inventory control
• the need for energy efficient warehouse equipment and technologies

For more than 11 years, KAPELOU has been helping companies meet these challenges. We have implemented comprehensive solutions that have enabled our clients to increase productivity, reduce dependence on human resources and optimize warehouse processes.

KAPELOU experts – a team that transforms warehouse logistics

The KAPELOU team consists of people who, thanks to their expertise, are able to find and implement the optimal solution for each individual warehouse process. The secret of our effectiveness is professionalism, mutual support and responsibility for the result. Our customers can rest assured that they will receive comprehensive support at every stage of the cooperation: from concept development to commissioning of automated systems and service support throughout the entire life cycle of the equipment.

Last year, the team was strengthened with new employees, half of whom are women. The experience and in-depth knowledge of our female employees is gradually overcoming the prejudice that innovative engineering and the production of automation systems are exclusively male fields. The diversity of the team and adherence to DE&I (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) principles allow us to apply non-standard approaches to routine tasks. 

We are grateful to our colleagues who are committed to protecting the integrity of Ukraine’s borders. Today, 10% of our employees are fighting for our freedom and independence in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. We are immensely proud of the courage and dedication of our defenders, and we support them in every way possible during this difficult time. 

Strengthening our expertise and continuous improvement 

Working closely with our customers and partners motivates us to continually evolve. We learn and apply new technologies, strengthen our expertise and improve our internal processes to help our customers increase warehouse efficiency through:

• uninterrupted and long-term operation of automated systems
• increase warehouse productivity
• optimize warehouse processes 
• reduce the amount of manual work

Automating our own warehouse: In 2024, we took an important step for us – we launched a project to automate our own warehouse with more than 20,000 SKUs. The processes of picking, issuing and inventorying of parts will be automated, which will facilitate the work of the team and improve customer service. KAPELOU solutions and technologies are effective for our customers and for us. 

4-post vertical conveyor: has become a popular choice of our customers and is included in most pallet handling automation projects. This reliable equipment moves pallets gently and significantly reduces the workload of personnel. 

‘Goods to Person’ technology is an integral part of almost every project we undertake to speed up warehouse operations and reduce manual labor. Integrated solutions based on shuttles, stacker cranes, and the AS/RS GNOM automated storage and retrieval system have enabled customers to increase the efficiency of their warehouse operations and simplify the work of their employees. 

We began manufacturing non-driven rollers in our own facility. This reduces the cost of conveyor systems and makes the product more affordable for our customers. 

A-Frame: We have improved the system of automatic picking of small piece orders. The goods are sent from the vertical channels to the boxes at a speed of 3 units per second. Safe and compact consolidation of products directly into boxes or cartons avoids unnecessary falls and mechanical damage during transport. 

Levelling sections: under test. Our own equipment will facilitate the positioning of the cartons during transport on the conveyors. 

We have implemented the management of our conveyors through safety controllers. This has greatly improved the flexibility of the systems, both during design and during subsequent modifications and scaling. 

Fascinating innovation: our participation in industry events

In 2024, we showcased solutions that help customers efficiently automate warehouse processes. Conceptual solutions based on our products offer cost savings, picking accuracy, and reduced reliance on personnel. 

LogiMAT 2024: at the international intralogistics event in Stuttgart, Germany, we presented the A-frame automated picking system and the AS/RS GNOM automated storage and retrieval system. 

Expopharm 2024: we visited the exhibition in Munich (Germany) and presented European business with modern solutions for pharmaceuticals. Our partner BD Rowa™ presented unique robotic systems for storage and dispensing of pharmaceuticals. KAPELOU solutions based on pharmacy robots in combination with conveyor systems, A-frame, AS/RS of our production help pharmacies, hospitals and distribution centers to optimize warehouse processes and increase their efficiency. 

The All-Ukrainian Logistician’s Day was a double opportunity for KAPELOU to present its developments to the general public. In May 2024, we introduced to the audience complex solutions based on buffer sequencer to reduce the physical load of warehouse staff and create inclusive workplaces. And in November, we demonstrated the advantages of the ‘Goods to Person’ technology with the example of a case realized in cooperation with our partner BusMarket Group.

Forbes Tech 2024: together with 57 top speakers and leading industry experts we participated in the technology conference. In a panel discussion Oleksandr Klymenko, founder and CEO of KAPELOU, together with Igor Khyzhnyak, CEO of COMFY and Antonina Yermeychuk, COO of Deus Robotics, presented practical automation and robotics solutions to improve the efficiency of business processes. 

Entrepreneurs’ Forum organized by Forbes Ukraine: Oleksandr Klymenko took part in the event, where speakers shared their experience in leading and creating products in demand by large companies. During the event, the Next 250 rating was announced – a list of the most successful small and medium enterprises, including KAPELOU. 

Key points of 2024:

• companies’ awareness of the need for automation to overcome the challenge of staff shortages
• partnership with robotics industry leaders: expanded collaboration with BD Rowa™ and Hikrobot
• geographical expansion – first projects in Saudi Arabia and USA
• 10% of employees serve in the Ukrainian Armed Forces
• more than 50% of new hires are women
• 50 projects implemented in Europe: integrated solutions based on our own products
• 64,000 square meters of metal structures for vertical storage
• participation in 6 events – 2 international – LogiMAT, Expopharm, and 4 national – All-Ukrainian Logistics Day (May and November), Forbes Tech, Entrepreneurs Forum

Moving into 2025 with new solutions for our customers

Thank you, dear partners and customers, for your trust and cooperation in 2024. Despite the difficulties, together we have created effective solutions. 

We believe in the power of automation to help you move forward even in the most challenging times. We wish you a Happy New Year – a year of new opportunities and confident choices!

Together we are creating a new innovative reality!