To maintain continuous multi-shift productivity, the new logistics infrastructure at Hebe incorporates both manual and automatic battery-swapping stations for its shuttle fleet. This modernization initiative, spearheaded by the German automation specialist advasolutions, represents a critical shift in how the Polish drugstore giant manages its increasingly complex omnichannel demands. As the retail landscape in 2026 continues to be shaped by the rapid acceleration of e-commerce across Central and Eastern Europe, the need for agile and high-density storage has never been more pressing. By opting for a brownfield strategy, Hebe is integrating cutting-edge technology directly into its existing warehouse footprint, avoiding the massive delays and capital risks associated with building a new facility from scratch. This project is not merely an upgrade; it is a fundamental reimagining of the supply chain that ensures physical store replenishment and online order fulfillment occur with synchronized precision. The rollout, which is being executed in phases through early 2028, focuses on maximizing throughput while maintaining the high service levels that customers expect in a competitive market today.
Advanced Hardware Integration and Automation Performance
The technical core of the system revolves around a high-density racking installation that reaches ten meters in height, meticulously engineered to utilize every cubic inch of available warehouse volume. This structure spans ten aisles and thirteen vertical levels, providing secure and organized storage for approximately 20,000 standard totes. To navigate this expansive grid, 66 autonomous advaShuttles have been deployed, operating as the primary drivers of internal transport. These shuttles are designed for high-velocity environments, moving items between storage locations and picking stations with remarkable speed and accuracy. A unique aspect of this layout is the placement of specialized flow-racks directly beneath the main shuttle aisles. These racks are dedicated to the most frequently ordered items, allowing for a hybrid approach where high-demand goods are replenished automatically by the shuttles. This design significantly reduces the need for manual labor in high-traffic zones, allowing the workforce to focus on more complex tasks while the automation handles the repetitive, heavy lifting.
Operational efficiency is further bolstered by a rigorous focus on energy management and workplace ergonomics, which are essential for a facility that must operate across multiple shifts without fatigue. The dual-system battery-swapping approach ensures that the shuttle fleet experiences zero downtime, as units can be refreshed either automatically during low-traffic moments or manually if a rapid intervention is required. This constant state of readiness is vital for meeting the tight delivery windows required for e-commerce in Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. At the same time, the inclusion of ergonomic goods-to-person workstations provides a safer and more productive environment for warehouse staff. These stations are complemented by an integrated reject lane, often referred to as an NIO lane, which serves as an automated quality gate. If the system detects a tote with an unreadable barcode or an incorrect weight, it is instantly diverted for inspection, preventing errors from reaching the final customer. This multi-layered approach to automation ensures that high performance is never achieved at the expense of accuracy or employee well-being.
Strategic Connectivity and Long-Term Scalability
A central pillar of the modernization effort is the seamless digital integration between the physical automation hardware and the enterprise-level management software. The entire system is connected to Hebe’s SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) platform, creating a unified data chain that provides real-time transparency across the entire fulfillment network. This connectivity allows logistics managers to monitor inventory movements with surgical precision, enabling better forecasting and stock allocation in an era of high product diversity. By synchronizing the physical movement of 20,000 totes with the digital records in SAP, the retailer can effectively manage the fluctuations in demand that occur during promotional periods or seasonal peaks. This integration also facilitates a “plug-and-play” scalability, where additional shuttles or storage modules can be added as the business grows from 2026 toward its 2028 targets. The ability to merge high-tech hardware with robust software management ensures that the warehouse remains a flexible asset rather than a static constraint, allowing Hebe to adapt to evolving consumer behaviors with minimal friction.
Future Proofing the Distribution Network
The successful execution of this project demonstrated that brownfield modernization was a viable and highly effective path for retailers seeking to upgrade their capabilities without halting operations. By choosing a modular system that balanced operational expenditures with capital investments, Hebe established a blueprint for sustainable growth in the competitive drugstore sector. The project highlighted the importance of selecting technology that could grow in tandem with market demand, providing a clear roadmap for future-proofing logistics hubs across international borders. Stakeholders recognized that the transition to a unified data chain and automated shuttle transport was not just a technical necessity, but a strategic imperative to maintain market leadership. Moving forward, companies should prioritize flexible automation that integrated easily with existing management software to ensure a favorable payback period. The partnership between advasolutions and Hebe proved that complex technical retrofits could be managed successfully in live environments, offering a scalable solution for the challenges of 2026 and beyond. This approach allowed the retailer to maintain its momentum while securing a high-performance foundation for the next decade of logistics evolution.
