ODTH and Movu Robotics set new benchmark in warehouse automation

Aug 30, 2025 Warehousing Ireland Case Study, News, shipping, Storage, Warehousing Comments Off on ODTH and Movu Robotics set new benchmark in warehouse automation

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Breakthrough project showcases Movu’s brand vision of accessible automation and compact scalability, as ODTH deploys Movu Robotics’ shuttle system and launches real-time warehouse orchestration software integrated with SAP ERP, achieving major gains in safety, sustainability, and throughput. 

 

Rumst Belgium, 26 August 2025: ODTH First Class Logistics, a leading family-owned logistics provider in Belgium, and Movu Robotics, a leading innovator in scalable warehouse automation, part of stow Group, have successfully completed the first phase of a scalable warehouse automation project at ODTH’s Rumst site — transforming a conventional warehouse into a high-density, software-driven logistics hub. The collaboration marks a significant leap forward in operational efficiency, real-time visibility, and environmental impact mitigation.

 

The solution combines Movu atlas, Movu’s cutting-edge shuttle-based Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS), and the first full-scale deployment of Movu OPS warehouse execution software (WES) to control the Movu atlas shuttle system, entirely developed in-house by Movu’s R&D team and integrated with ODTH’s SAP ERP. The system operates in a live SAP-connected environment, enabling dynamic pallet routing, intelligent buffer management, and seamless control of shuttle operations and conveyor systems. The rollout follows a carefully phased implementation plan, designed to maintain full operational continuity while gradually increasing automation capacity. 

 

This achievement marks a major step forward in Movu Robotics’ brand mission of delivering “Accessible Automation and Compact Scalability” to warehouse operators worldwide. 

 

“This project is a turning point not just for ODTH, but also for Movu Robotics,” said Christophe Coulongeat, CEO of Movu Robotics. “It’s the first time our Movu OPS software orchestrates the Movu atlas pallet shuttle system, fully developed in-house. The result is a seamlessly integrated solution—fast, flexible, and intelligent—proving that accessible, modular automation is the future of warehousing.” 

 

Key achievements from Phase 1 

 

The scale of the project is impressive. When the project is completed the Rumst facility will accommodate more than 31,000 pallet positions across 14,000 square meters of warehouse space. Twenty autonomous Movu atlas shuttles will operate across four vertical levels, coordinated by five high-speed elevators. With five inbound and seven outbound stations, the system is capable of handling up to 6,000 pallet movements per day—3,000 inbound and 3,000 outbound—without compromising the site’s 24/7 operational commitments to its fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) clients. The completion of the first phase lays the groundwork for the remainder of the project, as all the integrations and software implementation are ready to be deployed to phase 2 & 3 which will become operational in September. The final phase of the project will go live in Q1 2026. 

 

One of the defining features of the project is its smart, sustainable design. Instead of building from scratch, ODTH and Movu Robotics chose to reuse the warehouse’s existing racking infrastructure. This decision not only reduced capital expenditure but also avoided more than 680 tonnes of CO₂ emissions, underlining both companies’ commitment to sustainable development. The system’s flexibility is equally noteworthy, with seamless support for both Euro and industrial pallets ranging from 1200 mm wide to 2400 mm in height, enabling ODTH to serve a diverse customer base with varying logistics needs. 

 

Strategic impact and smart automation in action 

 

With a growing SKU base, strict service level agreements, and space constraints at the Rumst facility, ODTH required a solution that would increase storage density while minimizing internal transport and energy usage.
 

By deploying Movu atlas in a modular, six-phase approach, ODTH ensured continuity of operations while gradually increasing system capacity and intelligence. Each phase builds on the previous one, allowing for uninterrupted service and risk-free scaling. 

 

“We chose Movu Robotics for their ability to deliver a scalable, intelligent solution that fits our site’s specific constraints,” said Wim Van Leuven, Project Manager at ODTH. “The reuse of our existing infrastructure helped us cut installation costs and carbon impact — while delivering real value from day one. The full project is being deployed in a fully operational warehouse and has been delivered thus far without any customer impact.  This shows the strength and flexibility of the MOVU-ODTH cooperation.” 

 

Software intelligence at the core 

 

The true innovation lies in Movu OPS, Movu’s proprietary WES platform, which serves as the system’s digital brain. Integrated natively with ODTH’s SAP ERP via standardized APIs, the software enables:

• Seamless communication with Movu Conveyor Control (MCC) and Movu Tower traffic controller 
• Real-time shuttle assignment and elevator routing optimization 
• Support for chaotic storage logic, increasing throughput and flexibility 
• Configurable location strategies and smart buffering during off-peak hours 
• Modern user interface, improving control and decision-making for operators

This integration allows ODTH to automate its logistics flow end-to-end, using live warehouse data and intelligent decision rules to execute movements with precision, a key capability for a fast-paced, high-throughput environment serving FMCG clients. 

“The integration of Movu OPS into an SAP environment unlocks a new level of orchestration and real-time control,” said Thomas De Rudder, Integration Manager at Movu Robotics. “It enables ODTH to operate a complex shuttle system with maximum responsiveness and zero manual oversight.” 

 

Looking ahead to Phase 2 

 

With five additional implementation phases planned, ODTH and Movu Robotics will continue to expand the system’s footprint, add more automation capacity, and introduce advanced orchestration features. This roadmap will reinforce ODTH’s position as a leader in people-focused, sustainable logistics and further validate Movu Robotics’ modular approach to warehouse automation. 

 

“This partnership with ODTH proves that brownfield automation is not only possible, but strategic,” concluded Coulongeat. “By combining intelligent software with reusable infrastructure, we’re helping logistics providers build the warehouse of the future — today.” 

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