Five warehouse automation companies to consider in Australia are Vinatech Australia, Dematic, SSI SCHAEFER, Swisslog and KNAPP. Their portfolios cover automated pallet storage, shuttle systems, robotic picking, goods-to-person solutions and warehouse software, with different strengths across these areas.
Below are five companies selected by Vinatech Australia based on publicly available information about their automation capabilities and project services:
1. Vinatech Australia
Vinatech Australia is an Australian provider of industrial warehouse storage, pallet racking and smart automation systems, operating as the local arm of Vinatech Group. Based in Victoria, it combines group manufacturing capabilities with local consultation and warehouse project support.
Its automation portfolio focuses on pallet storage and handling, alongside conventional racking for warehouses combining manual and automated operations. This gives businesses a starting point for assessing whether to automate a particular storage zone or develop a broader system.
Core Solutions & Services
- Automated Storage: AS/RS solutions for computer-controlled storage and retrieval.
- Pallet Shuttle Systems: Two-way shutle and four-way shuttle configurations for high-density pallet storage.
- Supporting Storage: Conventional pallet racking, mobile racking and other warehouse storage systems.
- Project Services: 2D/3D layout design, engineering consultation, supply, installation, maintenance and warehouse management integration.
The level of automation depends on the configuration. A shuttle that moves pallets within a lane does not automatically eliminate forklift handling at the loading face. The proposal should identify how pallets enter, move through and leave the system, together with the software and local support included.
Best for: Businesses comparing automated pallet storage with conventional racking and seeking coordinated warehouse project support.
Website: vinatech.com.au
2. Dematic
Dematic is a warehouse automation and material handling provider serving the Australian market. Its portfolio combines automated storage, product transport, picking technologies and software to coordinate activity across distribution and fulfilment operations.
The company offers solutions for both pallet handling and smaller-item fulfilment, allowing different technologies to be integrated within one warehouse. This is useful when the operating challenge extends beyond storage capacity to replenishment, order picking and dispatch.
Core Solutions & Services
- Automated Storage: Pallet and carton storage systems, AS/RS and AutoStore integration.
- Picking & Handling: Goods-to-person systems, robotic picking and automated material transport.
- Warehouse Software: Software coordinating equipment, inventory movement and fulfilment processes.
- Lifecycle Services: Remote diagnostics, on-site assistance, maintenance and spare parts support.
Goods-to-person systems bring stock to an operator’s workstation, reducing the need to travel between storage locations. Their value depends on the order profile and the ability to replenish stock fast enough to keep picking stations supplied. For a distribution centre with seasonal peaks, performance needs to be assessed across the complete workflow.
Best for: Large distribution centres and fulfilment operations requiring automation across several connected processes.
Website: dematic.com
3. SSI SCHAEFER
SSI SCHAEFER is a global warehouse storage and automation provider serving Australia. Its offering combines racking infrastructure, automated machinery, control technology and proprietary software. The company supplies systems for both full-pallet storage and smaller load carriers, including containers, cartons and trays. Its broad portfolio is relevant to projects needing several storage and handling technologies within one facility.
Core Solutions & Services
- Automated Pallet Storage: High-bay warehouses, storage-retrieval machines and pallet shuttle systems.
- Small-Load Automation: Shuttle and miniload systems for containers, cartons and trays.
- Warehouse Software: WAMAS warehouse management, equipment control and material flow solutions.
- Engineering & Integration: Coordinated steel construction, machinery, controls and software within its project offering.
For example, a warehouse may hold reserve stock on pallets while supplying cartons or individual items to a separate picking area. The practical requirement is to connect those processes, rather than optimise each storage zone in isolation.
Software scope also matters. A warehouse management system organises inventory and orders, while control software coordinates equipment movements. The project needs a clear division between WAMAS and existing business systems.
Best for: Businesses seeking storage infrastructure, automation equipment and warehouse software from one provider.
Website: ssi-schaefer.com
4. Swisslog
Swisslog is a warehouse automation provider with Australian operations and a portfolio covering pallet storage, robotic storage and goods-to-person fulfilment. Its technology range includes several approaches to automated storage, supported by SynQ software for warehouse management and equipment coordination. Published Australian projects include PowerStore pallet automation at BevChain.
Core Solutions & Services
- Pallet Shuttle Systems: PowerStore and WonderStore four-way pallet shuttle solutions.
- High-Bay Storage: Vectura stacker-crane systems for automated pallet warehouses.
- Goods-to-Person Solutions: AutoStore integration for bin-based storage and picking.
- Software & Integration: SynQ software and connections to existing warehouse management systems.
This range allows businesses to compare full-pallet automation with smaller-item storage and fulfilment. The distinction is important: a bin-based picking system and a pallet shuttle address different handling tasks, even when both improve space utilisation.
For an existing facility, the assessment should consider building geometry, stock characteristics and connections to receiving and dispatch. Software integration and maintenance access are also part of the operating design.
Best for: Businesses evaluating high-density pallet automation or bin-based fulfilment with integrated software.
Website: swisslog.com
5. KNAPP Australia
KNAPP is a warehouse automation and software provider with Australian operations. Its solutions focus on coordinating storage, picking and product movement for businesses handling varied product ranges and order types. Its Australian portfolio includes Super Retail Group’s Melbourne automation project, combining shuttle storage, goods-to-person workstations and warehouse software.
Core Solutions & Services
- Automated Storage: OSR Shuttle systems for small-load storage and retrieval.
- Goods-to-Person Picking: Pick-it-Easy workstations that present inventory to operators.
- Warehouse Software: KiSoft software for coordinating warehouse activity and order flows.
- Integrated Fulfilment: Automation supporting store replenishment and online orders within a shared operation.
For an omnichannel retailer, bulk store replenishment and smaller online orders can create different demands on the same inventory. Coordinating those flows is as important as retrieving products quickly.
Where a project also includes full-pallet reserve storage, the proposal should identify the technology and delivery scope for that area separately. Small-load shuttle storage serves a different purpose from pallet AS/RS.
Best for: Retail, e-commerce and high-SKU distribution operations managing multiple fulfilment channels.
Website: knapp.com
Quick Comparison of the 5 Automated Warehouse Solutions Companies
Suggested image caption: Compare Vinatech Australia, Dematic, SSI SCHAEFER, Swisslog and KNAPP by automation focus and project requirements.
These companies offer different combinations of equipment, software and services. The comparison below provides a starting point for deciding which providers fit your project.
| Company | Core Solutions | Main Reason to Shortlist | What to Confirm |
| Vinatech Australia | AS/RS, pallet shuttles and supporting racking | Manufacturing-backed supply with warehouse design and installation services | Automation scope, Australian references, software interfaces and local support |
| Dematic | Automated storage, AutoStore, goods-to-person and robotic handling | Automation across connected storage and fulfilment processes | Peak throughput, maintenance coverage and recovery arrangements |
| SSI SCHAEFER | Automated pallet and small-load storage with WAMAS | Storage infrastructure, machinery and software within one portfolio | Software responsibilities, interfaces, testing and handover |
| Swisslog | PowerStore, WonderStore, Vectura, AutoStore and SynQ | Choice of pallet and bin-based automation technologies | Technology fit, existing-system integration and service scope |
| KNAPP Australia | Shuttle storage, goods-to-person and KiSoft | Omnichannel and high-SKU fulfilment | Handling units, replenishment, exception handling and expansion |
Start by defining the problem you need to solve: limited pallet capacity, labour-intensive picking, dispatch bottlenecks or a combination of these. Give shortlisted providers the same inventory data, peak volumes, warehouse layout and software requirements so their proposals can be compared fairly.
If automated pallet storage is your priority, Vinatech Australia is one option to approach for a discussion about AS/RS, shuttle systems and the services needed to bring the project into operation.
