Cutting the ribbon at the new site

Knapp has announced the grand opening of its Phase 1 facility expansion in Kennesaw, Georgia. Fuelled by major projects in grocery, retail, healthcare and eCommerce sectors, the USD7 million initial investment is the first step in expanding US operations to meet the rapidly growing demand in North America. Including office space for up to 250 employees, the facility has added space for 400 employees and a 15,000 sqft. (1,400 sqm) state-of-the-art automated parts warehouse, including Knapp's OSR Shuttle Evo, as well as expanded parts and customer service capabilities. Josef Mentzer, CEO of Knapp, says: "Market demand for automated warehousing, distribution and order fulfillment systems has risen sharply in recent years. The corresponding demand for software solutions to drive these systems and help companies transition to the digital economy is also accelerating rapidly, and this has driven a three-year 404% growth in our business that is fuelling our expansion." In addition, Knapp is creating a North American Center of Excellence and expanding its global footprint with the addition of expertise and capabilities from mechanical and electrical engineering, to software development, program and project management. Gernot Rupp, COO, believes Knapp has been very fortunate that the company commitment to R&D, a 7% year-over-year investment, has resulted in a number of industry-leading supply chain software and automation products. "This had a direct impact on our relationship with industry sector leaders, adding major contracts with top-five global companies in grocery, retail, healthcare and eCommerce based here in the US."