advasolutions to automate YONEX’s Willich logistics centre

YONEX GmbH is retrofitting its European logistics centre in Willich, Germany, with modular automation from advasolutions. The project is designed to scale during live operations, helping the sports equipment company handle more product variety, faster delivery demands and rising order volumes.

Why it matters: - The YONEX project shows how modular warehouse automation can be added to an existing site without stopping operations. - The system is designed to handle mixed product categories, from shuttlecocks and rackets to bags and apparel, while supporting growth in order volume. - The retrofit aims to reduce walking time, improve picking accuracy and keep inventory traceable through dispatch.

What happened: - YONEX GmbH awarded advasolutions the contract in August 2026. - The automation project covers YONEX’s logistics centre in Willich, Germany. - Installation is set to begin in April 2027. - Go-live is scheduled for August 2027. - Goods receipt and dispatch will continue during the retrofit.

The details: - Up to 41 advaShuttles will handle storage and picking. - The system will cover up to 1,922 metres of shelf space. - The setup will connect to up to three picking stations and one infeed station. - The technology is built to fit the structural conditions of the existing building. - The automation can be expanded with additional modules as demand grows. - The same system can adapt if YONEX changes what it stores. - Stock levels will update automatically. - Put-away and retrieval will run on the same system logic. - From goods receipt onward, the system will capture item data and map it in real time through a digital twin. - The digital twin is intended to improve picking accuracy and traceability. - YONEX Managing Director Boris Reichel said the warehouse needed a system that handles product variety and can expand without being sized for future order volumes too early. - advasolutions CEO Dr Marcus Englert said the modules can be installed during ongoing operations and expanded later, and customers can automate first where the payoff is fastest. - More information

Between the lines: - The project reflects a broader shift toward retrofitting automation into existing facilities rather than building new warehouses from scratch. - advasolutions is positioning modular systems as a way to avoid over-dimensioning for peak demand that may not arrive for years. - The company is using live customer projects to prove the technology after years of internal development. - YONEX’s product mix is a good test case because sports goods vary sharply in size, weight and turnover.

What’s next: - advasolutions will complete installation ahead of the August 2027 go-live. - The company has a further signed project that is due to start in the coming months. - advasolutions will keep scaling its customer business under its new name.

The bottom line: - YONEX is betting on modular automation that can grow with demand, instead of a warehouse built around a single forecast.