BHS Intralogistics deploys its first automated sheet handling system in the US market

The automation of corrugated board plants has just crossed a significant threshold in North America. BHS Intralogistics has successfully completed its first Sheet Handling System installation in the Western market, specifically at a facility in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This deployment marks a strategic pivot for the company, bringing a highly automated downstream logistics technology to the United States that had previously been developed and refined in other global regions.

Bridging the gap between the dry end and shipping

For years, the industry has recognized BHS Intralogistics primarily for its dominance in automated roll handling at the wet end of the corrugator, utilizing systems like the iShuttle and the iCMS software. However, the Milwaukee project represents the physical realization of the company's expanded portfolio. By integrating the new iTrack system, BHS Intralogistics is now addressing one of the most persistent bottlenecks in modern converting facilities: the efficient, continuous discharge of corrugated cardboard stacks from the dry end.

In 2026, the operational reality for many packaging manufacturers is that corrugators are running faster than ever, but downstream logistics often struggle to keep pace. The iTrack system deployed in Wisconsin is designed specifically to manage the movement of corrugated board throughout the production plant without manual intervention. This automated discharge prevents stack-ups at the dry end, ensuring a continuous material flow that directly translates to higher overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).

The role of intelligent software in modern intralogistics

Hardware alone does not solve the complex routing challenges of a high-volume corrugated plant. The Milwaukee installation is heavily reliant on iFlow, the proprietary intelligent in-plant software developed by BHS Intralogistics for downstream logistics. While the iCMS platform has traditionally managed the fleet of autonomous vehicles handling paper rolls, iFlow takes command of the sheet handling side.

This software provides real-time, end-to-end transparency. By utilizing intelligent algorithms, iFlow optimizes the material flow based on the specific production orders of the day. It coordinates digital and physical resources to ensure that stacks are moved from the corrugator to the converting machines, and ultimately to the shipping-ready pallet, with minimal dwell time. For the North American market, where labor shortages continue to drive the push for automation in 2026, this level of data-driven process optimization is no longer a luxury, but a baseline requirement for competitiveness.

A single-source approach to plant logistics

The strategic relevance of this installation extends beyond a single factory in Wisconsin. It validates BHS Intralogistics' recent consolidation of its brand and product offerings. By acting as a central point of contact for both roll handling and sheet handling, the company is offering an integrated solution that covers the entire material flow. This single-source approach reduces integration risks for plant managers and simplifies long-term service and support.

As we look at the broader landscape of the corrugated packaging sector in 2026, the shift towards fully autonomous, "forklift-free" production environments is accelerating. The successful implementation of the iTrack system in a major Western market serves as a critical proof of concept. It demonstrates that the seamless connection of production, warehousing, and digital intelligence can yield tangible reductions in unit costs while significantly enhancing operational safety.

The expansion of BHS Intralogistics into downstream sheet handling demonstrates a necessary evolution in corrugated plants, where eliminating dry-end bottlenecks is just as critical as optimizing the wet end. Will the integration of proprietary software like iFlow become the decisive factor for converters when choosing a single-source intralogistics provider? Follow The Paper for daily news, market signals and key updates from the global paper, corrugated and packaging industry. — Sigue toda la actualidad del sector en www.thepaper.ai