The Automated Warehouse: vision, innovation and impact in action

Through its study afternoons and events, VIL keeps its finger on the pulse of what is going on in the logistics sector. On November 4, 2025, some eighty professionals from various sectors participated in the VIL study afternoon “The Automated Warehouse: Vision, Innovation & Impact”. Place of action: Log!Ville in Niel. After this session, it was once again abundantly clear: where warehouses once ran on manpower and forklifts, today algorithms, robots and data analysis are increasingly taking over.

From conventional to smart and resilient

The tone was set by Dirk Jocquet, innovation ambassador at VIL. In his opening remarks, he made it clear that automation is not a buzzword, but a strategic choice for resilience. “Don't be seduced by shiny tech syndrome,” he warned, “but invest in process analysis and master data as a foundation.”

Jocquet outlined how changing customer expectations - think e-commerce and same-day delivery - increase the need for flexibility exponentially. With modular systems, scalable infrastructure and digital twins companies can respond more quickly to peaks and disruptions. His message was clear: Technology should serve, not dictate.

“Don't be tempted by the shiny tech syndrome - analyze first, automate second.”

DHL's vision: human-centered digitization

Thereafter, Bastiaan Snaterse, Global Director of Development Management at DHL Supply Chain, takes participants into the world of automated warehouses on a global scale. DHL operates more than 1,500 sites in 50 countries and is strongly committed to robotics, AI and human-centered digitization.

Snaterse showed how indoor transport robots, goods-to-person-systems and automated loading and unloading processes double productivity and make work lighter. “The future of the warehouse is digital, autonomous and people-oriented,” he indicated.

Artificial intelligence is already being deployed at DHL for process optimization, contract management and decision-making, but humans remain central: “Our employees are our most valuable asset.” Automation, he showed, is not about replacing employees, but about strengthening their impact.

Smarter, faster, scalable: technology from SSI Schäfer

The third speaker, Peter De Heneau, Managing Director Belgium at SSI Schäfer, showed how innovation and data go hand in hand. His presentation “Smarter, faster, scalable.” made clear that the warehouse of the future will be driven by algorithms and predictive insights.

Systems such as Fast Bots, RackBots and the SupplyBrain platform integrate data from across the warehouse to enable real-time decisions. This not only makes operations faster, but also more energy efficient and reliable.

De Heneau spoke of “software-driven logistics” as the new normal: smart networks that combine resilience, sustainability and profitability. Thanks to AI, digital twins and connected infrastructure, the warehouse grows into an autonomous ecosystem that continuously optimizes itself.

“The future of the warehouse is digital, autonomous and people-oriented.”

Barry Callebaut: automation with a human face

The human hatch emerged again in the story of Evelien Thienpondt, Site Manager of the Global Distribution Center at Barry Callebaut. Her case “Impact - more than machines” gave automation a face.

Barry Callebaut's distribution center - a 100 million euro investment with a capacity of as many as 120,000 pallets - replaces seven previous warehouses. The automated high-rise and AGVs provide a huge leap in efficiency, but also in corporate culture.

“Automation is not a threat, but a growth story where people and technology reinforce each other,” Thienpondt said. Employees are given new, more technical roles and are actively involved in the transition - even with a contest to name the AGVs. A strong approach to embracing technology, not imposing it.

“Automation is not a threat, but a growth story in which people and technology reinforce each other.”

Hands-on demos

After a brief Q&A, participants headed to Log!Ville's democrat center for some engaging hands-on demos on the topic of “Automation on the move”. The demos of Alax Automation, Zeal Robotics, Zetes and Toyota Material Handling showed how far along the technology already is - and especially how feasible automation is meanwhile for companies of any scale.