AUTODOC is investing around 40 million euros in the automation of its logistics center in the Czech Republic

• Development bank recognizes energy efficiency and greenhouse-gas reduction measures at the Cheb logistics center
• EUR 27.9 million loan approved

Berlin, 29 April 2025 – The automation of AUTODOC’s logistics center in Cheb, Czech Republic, is financially supported by DZ BANK together with the German Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW). “This financing underscores our forward-looking approach of investing in automation while at the same time creating new jobs,” says Lennart Schmidt, CFO of AUTODOC, one of Europe’s leading online retailers for car parts and accessories. Construction is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2025. Total investment in the upgrade of the Cheb logistics center will amount to around EUR 40 million. During the construction phase, the logistics center will remain in operation to keep the impact on existing processes as low as possible.

The Berlin-based online retailer AUTODOC is making use of the so-called KfW Energy Efficiency Program – Production Facilities/Processes. This KfW program supports measures aimed at increasing energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 15 percent in the facilities and processes of commercial enterprises in Germany and abroad. By default, the program is capped at EUR 25 million, but in AUTODOC’s case, the application to raise the granted amount to EUR 27.9 million was approved. “This highlights the eligibility of our project in Cheb,” says Lennart Schmidt, “and we are very happy with the favourable terms, which reflect the credit quality of our Group”. The loan has a term of five years. DZ BANK contributed its extensive expertise in the area of development financing.

The overall modernization and implementation of new technologies will expand order processing capacity from approximately 10,000 to 50,000 orders per day. The shuttle system will employ 192 robots operating across 207,000 automated storage locations, significantly enhancing operational efficiency. In addition, AUTODOC anticipates that the new warehouse will deliver a fulfillment process that is 50% faster than those of its other semi-automated warehouses. The new automation elements will improve safety and ergonomics, creating a better work environment for employees. The goal is to secure the company’s future growth and make customer supply more efficient. The 27,000 m2 warehouse, internally known as “C27,” will in the future hold up to 200,000 stock-keeping units, with the capacity for up to five million items. In 2026, a trial phase will be conducted, during which the new systems will be optimized.

The automation project for the C27 logistics center in Cheb is not only a technological upgrade but also a significant expansion of job opportunities in the western Czech region. Today, AUTODOC employs around 380 employees at its logistics center in Cheb. Upon the technical completion of the project, the number of employees will increase to around 900, including office and operations employees.