Kesko, one of Finland’s leading grocery retailers, has selected KNAPP to deliver the automation technology for the first phase of its new logistics facility in Nurmijärvi. Announced by KNAPP on 24 September 2026, the central warehouse will serve Kesko’s foodservice division within its grocery business. Construction of the site began in early 2026.
A mixed automated and manual platform
The planned system combines automated pallet handling, high-bay storage, shuttle-based storage and goods-to-person small-item picking, integrated with manual logistics processes. KNAPP describes the result as a flexible and scalable platform designed to grow with the operation.
According to KNAPP, the investment reflects Kesko’s aim to strengthen long-term logistics capacity and operational flexibility at a time when retail customers expect faster deliveries, higher reliability and broader product availability.
Choosing for the long term
“We are building an automation solution designed to serve our business for decades to come,” said Pekka Tala, Development Director at Kesko. He added that while the fundamentals of logistics automation have remained similar in many respects, system performance and reliability have advanced considerably, and software now plays a growing operational role.
KNAPP was chosen after an extensive evaluation and a period of joint planning. Kesko cited the company’s breadth of technology, R&D capability and the scalability of its solutions. “KNAPP has a strong understanding of what customers need … it is important for us to choose a partner that can look ahead,” Tala said.
Rudolf Hansl, VP Food Retail Solutions at KNAPP, said the solution creates the foundation for the continuous development of Kesko’s logistics operations. He added that the collaboration strengthens KNAPP’s presence in the Finnish market and marks an important step in expanding its activities in Nordic grocery retail.
Timeline
Detailed planning starts in autumn 2026. Installation is scheduled to begin in 2028, and the facility is expected to go live in phases during 2029–2030.
Sources
- KNAPP, “KNAPP to supply automation solution for Kesko’s new logistics centre in Nurmijärvi”, press release, 24.09.2026 – knapp.com
- Image: KNAPP
