100th Sino-German Smart Manufacturing Dialogue: How SMEs Can Achieve a "Lightweight" Upgrade to Smart Warehousing
Yesterday, the Sino-Cooperation Platform successfully held the 100th session of the Sino-German Manufacturing Technology Exchange. This event focused on "Smart Warehousing Solutions for Small and Medium Manufacturing Enterprises," with in-depth discussions centered on the core system of the German innovative company CELLGO.
Against the backdrop of continuously deepening Sino-German industrial cooperation, we were fortunate to witness this landmark cross-border dialogue. The conference not only showcased CELLGO's innovative practices in flexible warehousing automation but also provided inspiration for Chinese manufacturing companies exploring efficient and intelligent paths for small and medium-sized warehousing scenarios.
Speaker Background and Company Overview
Christoph Dreesbach, the keynote speaker, worked for a global automotive manufacturer for 7 years and co-founded the warehousing automation company CELLGO in 2020, headquartered in Paderborn, Germany. The team has about 20 people, with primary investors being German local medium-sized enterprises.
- Company Focus: CELLGO focuses on serving small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises, providing them with integrated smart warehousing systems including robots, hardware structure, and software integration.
- Market Position: Filling a market gap by implementing "automation that SMEs can use."
- Team Composition: Approximately 20 team members with extensive automotive industry experience.
Core Technology System and Product Features
System Structure and Applicable Scope
- Targets small projects with 500 to 5,000 bins; current projects can reach up to 10,000 bins
- Core concept is replacing manual shelving and VLM systems with extremely high space density
- Customizable height: 2.5 meters - 7.5 meters, flexibly adapting to factory building conditions
- No rigid ground requirements, suitable for old factories or renovation needs
Robots and Software
- Self-developed "flat" robots: Each capable of carrying up to 50kg, with dynamically expandable numbers
- Light-ring guidance system: Picking workstations with selection location indicators
- MES integration: Can integrate with factory systems, delivering bins directly to production lines
- API interfaces: Easy customer system integration capabilities
Typical Application Scenarios
- Small manufacturing plants: Especially parts processing and assembly operations
- Intermediate buffer warehouses: In unmanned production lines
- High-frequency picking: Scenarios requiring software-driven operations
System Highlights
Two-layer structure system: upper layer is storage units, lower layer is picking stations. The system can quickly retrieve bins, switch orders, enabling high-efficiency turnover with demonstrated dynamic dispatch of robots for picking and replenishment under high-density system configuration.
Cooperation Model and International Expansion
Suggested Cooperation Model for Chinese Market
- Partners handle customer delivery and system installation
- CELLGO provides core systems and training support
- Assembly cooperation could be considered for China (similar to the Dutch model)
- Prefers seeking long-term local integrator partnerships over single-project cooperation
Core differentiation: Compressing "large-system capabilities" into a scale and budget affordable for small and medium-sized customers.
Target Customer Profile
Basic Customer Firmographics
| Dimension | Description |
|---|---|
| Industry | Mainly discrete manufacturing: electronic parts, mechanical components, instruments, medical devices, auto parts |
| Company Size | Employees: 50-500; Annual Revenue: 30 million - 200 million RMB |
| Region | Highly concentrated manufacturing clusters: Pearl River Delta, Yangtze River Delta, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei |
| Warehouse Type | Finished goods warehouse, transfer warehouse, process buffer area (not bulk raw material stacking) |
Operational Profile
| Dimension | Ideal State |
|---|---|
| Warehouse Space | Total area 200-1500 m²; Clear height 2.5-7.5 meters |
| Number of Bins | Storage requirements 500-5000 bins, values high density and rapid turnover |
| Bin Weight | ≤50 kg per bin, high requirements for load-bearing accuracy |
| Picking Mode | Multi-SKU, small batch, high-frequency inbound/outbound |
| Production Link | Clear production line replenishment needs or "delivery to workstation" needs |
Technographics
| Dimension | Details |
|---|---|
| Digital Level | Already deployed or planning to deploy ERP/MES systems |
| Automation Stage | In transition "from manual to semi-automation/intelligence" |
| IT Resources | Basic IT personnel capable of handling API/software integration |
| Data Utilization | Expect data-driven warehouse efficiency optimization |
Key Takeaways from the 100th Dialogue
- CELLGO's core strength lies in truly implementing "automation that SMEs can use," filling a market gap
- The system design combines flexibility and intelligence, making it particularly suitable for companies in the early stages of warehouse digitization
- Compared to large systems, it is "lighter," "faster to deploy," and "more affordable," but has limited throughput and load capacity
- If combined with local integrators to form locally adapted solutions, it holds significant potential in the Chinese SME manufacturing market
The 100th Sino-German Cooperation Seminar concluded successfully!
We witnessed the sparks of Sino-German smart manufacturing and explored opportunities for industrial synergy.
For future conference information, please contact our staff.