THIS MARKS the innovative pocket sorter’s world premiere as part of a customer project. The USP that sets it apart from conventional designs: SmartPocket relies on autonomous mobile robots instead of a drag chain. The disruptive technology is thereby raising the bar in terms of efficiency, reliability and scalability.

Personalshop is a brand of Servus Handels- und Verlags-Gesellschaft m.b.H., an internationally active retailer for brand-name clothing and accessories. The company distributes its products via online shops, catalogs and stores, employing more than 400 people. Personalshop is not only active in Austria, but also in Germany and Switzerland. The omni-channel specialist generated a revenue of 275 million euros in 2024, supplying more than two million customers.

High performance, low initial investment

In 2018, TGW Logistics implemented a highly automated fulfillment center for Personalshop in Polling (Austria). Due to their strong growth, the mail-order retailer has now decided to expand in order to continue supplying customers and stores quickly and reliably in the future. The requirements are clear: optimal performance in order processing at a 70% higher order volume, maintaining maximum reliability and with a low initial investment. During the awarding process, SmartPocket persuaded through its unique technological concept, not to mention its profitability and short realisation period.

Powerful, efficient and flexible

The pockets move along a 2.5-kilometre network of rails. There are no moving parts installed in the travel rails or in the intersection areas. This setup significantly reduces the amount of maintenance required and minimises the energy demand.

The pockets are opened automatically and supplied in an ergonomic manner, with each pocket receiving exactly one item. A camera automatically detects whether the pocket was loaded, rendering a separate scanning process unnecessary. The scope of supply encompasses loading and unloading stations, conveyor equipment and additional carton erecting and sealing machines. On top of that, specialists from TGW Logistics are responsible for the IT integration into the existing system.