Colruyt Group and KION launch new R&D centre focused on next‑generation supply chain robotics
Colruyt Group and KION have entered into a partnership that aims to accelerate the development and industrialisation of next-generation supply chain robotics.
Colruyt Group has sold 70% of its activities related to research and development concerning self-driving pallet trucks to KION. It is now selecting KION as its preferred global partner to bring its most advanced self‑driving vehicle (SDV) technologies to the market.
In 2023, Colruyt Group, together with KION brand STILL, introduced its first self-developed, self-driving pallet truck. These have been operating alongside logistics teams in two of its distribution centres. The SDVs were the result of a collaboration between the innovation team at Colruyt Group Smart Innovation (part of Colruyt Group Technics) and KION. Colruyt Group designed and built the software intelligence, while STILL focused on hardware integration.
“The SDVs make work in our distribution centres significantly easier. They navigate safely around people and obstacles and locate every pallet with remarkable precision, thanks to advanced technology. This allows our employees to focus on more complex tasks and processes that require specialised knowledge and skills,” says Koen De Vos, Director Supply Chain, Colruyt Lowest Prices.
“The success of SDVs for horizontal transport opened new horizons for our innovation team. Today, our engineers are developing cutting-edge robotics software, integrating artificial intelligence and computer vision, for SDVs that will shape the future of logistics operations. We are extremely proud of the expertise our team brings to solving the complex challenges of retail logistics,” says Jo Janssens, Director at Colruyt Group Technics.
KION has established a dedicated expertise centre in Belgium: KION Automation Centre Antwerp. Technology will be fully developed in Belgium, with support from VLAIO (the Flemish agency that stimulates innovation and entrepreneurship through subsidies, advice, and guidance for companies in Flanders).
The partnership will focus on further developing the SDV programme and preparing it for industrial roll-out across EMEA markets. Colruyt Group retains a minority stake in the legal entity. Within the tie up, the team at Colruyt Group Smart Innovation will continue to drive both ongoing and future developments.
2026 RTIH Innovation Awards
Supply chain automation will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.
The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.
Check out our 2025 winners here.
Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.
In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”
“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”
He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”
Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.
