BHS Intralogistics integrates robotics and sheet handling to close the automation gap

A unified approach to corrugated plant logistics

For years, the corrugated board industry has treated roll handling and finished board logistics as two distinct operational islands. In July 2026, BHS Intralogistics is bridging this gap by officially integrating Sheet Handling Systems and Robotics Solutions into its global product portfolio. This strategic expansion transforms the company from a specialized roll-handling provider into an end-to-end intralogistics integrator for the paper and packaging sector.

The core of this development lies in the seamless continuity of the material flow. By adding sheet handling and advanced robotics to its existing iMotion portfolio, BHS Intralogistics now covers the entire production lifecycle within a plant. Materials are tracked and moved autonomously from the moment a raw paper roll enters the facility until the finished, shipping-ready pallet reaches the loading dock.

Eliminating integration bottlenecks

Historically, corrugated plants have struggled with the software and hardware handoffs between different equipment vendors. A plant might use one supplier for automated guided vehicles (AGVs) moving paper rolls, and an entirely different system for conveying corrugated sheets to the converting lines. BHS Intralogistics is positioning itself as the central point of contact for the entire facility.

This consolidation is driven by the industry's urgent need to mitigate labor shortages and control rising operational costs. The integration of robotics into the sheet handling phase directly targets the most labor-intensive areas of the converting process. According to the company, this unified architecture significantly reduces unit costs while enhancing overall production efficiency and operational stability.

• End-to-end automation: Complete coverage from raw paper roll to shipping-ready pallet.
• Single vendor ecosystem: Reduces software integration failures and simplifies maintenance.
• Cost reduction: Lowers labor dependency in the highly manual sheet handling and palletizing stages.

Software as the central nervous system

Hardware expansion is only part of the equation. The true enabler of this end-to-end strategy is the underlying software architecture. The company's Intelligent Control and Management System (iCMS) now orchestrates a much broader array of assets. By coordinating both the heavy-duty roll transport (such as the iShuttle) and the newly integrated sheet handling robotics, the software optimizes the entire plant's material flow based on real-time order requirements.

This level of synchronization prevents bottlenecks at the corrugator discharge and ensures that converting lines are never starved of materials. In a market where margins are constantly under pressure, eliminating these micro-stoppages is critical for profitability.

Consolidating the entire material flow under a single provider is a pragmatic move that eliminates the integration headaches typically plaguing corrugated plants. Will this end-to-end approach force other equipment manufacturers to broaden their own logistics portfolios or risk becoming isolated islands of automation? 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