October 9, 2025

Second-hand as the best choice: the BMS shuttle installation

Sixty-six trucks full of steel and cables, heading from an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of Venice to Evergem, near Ghent. A risky undertaking in the eyes of many, perhaps, but BMS felt it was the perfect way to give their logistics a new future. It also gave E’Log an excellent opportunity to demonstrate their skills. “We’ll get it running, you can be sure of that,” said the determined team.

What started out as a second-hand installation with many unanswered questions soon grew into a stable, scalable and efficient ASRS solution. It’s not a prestigious project, just a system that does what it’s supposed to do and does it very well. All thanks to the close and transparent collaboration between BMS and E’Log.

Joining forces in search of more efficient logistics flows

BMS is a fast-growing logistics player. The warehouse runs at full capacity every day, providing electronics for retailers such as Expert, Selexion, Excellent, Hubo and Carrefour as well as online stores such as Bol.com and Art&Craft. Increasingly, the services also include return logistics, repairs and even refurbishing.

This increasing diversity requires more than just flexibility: speed and efficiency are crucial too. And that means faster order picking and packaging, without extra pairs of hands or a budget running into millions. When the opportunity arose to acquire a refurbished shuttle system from Italy, CEO Pieter Janssens knew he was onto a good thing: “We made this decision on the basis of trust. E’Log simply radiated confidence that they could get the job done. Combine that with a budget that is barely a third of what you would invest in a new construction, and that was that: we were going for it.”

From abandoned installation to streamlined picking zone

The installation was impressive: 86 metres long, 7 metres wide, 7 metres high. Once the hub of an Italian electronics chain, it was dismantled, transported and rebuilt in Evergem.

There, the system was given a second lease of life. It was connected to a new conveyor line, equipped with pick-to-light workstations and integrated into a completely new packaging flow. The result: a highly streamlined picking zone. No over-engineering, no expensive frills. Simply a smart system that does what it’s supposed to do.

Technical challenges, pragmatic solutions

Although a second-hand installation certainly sounds cheaper, it brings its own challenges. Belgian fire safety standards turned out to be stricter than those in Italy. A network cabinet was even lost during transport. And connecting the shuttle to the WMS caused delays.

“Our collaboration with E’Log was very intense,” says Pieter. “Our teams met up on a weekly basis. Everything was open and transparent. Of course there were some difficult moments, but E’Log persevered and didn’t give up for a second. I’d still give them a solid 8 out of 10.”

Faster, more accurate and more sustainable order processing

Today, the difference is tangible. The system can process 720 trays per hour, fed from 32,000 locations. Whereas everything used to take place manually, picking now takes place more quickly – with fewer errors and less packaging material.

“We can wait longer before processing orders and postpone our cut-off points,” says Pieter. “This gives our customers more flexibility, and it also gives us more clout. Especially at very busy times, such as Black Friday or the Christmas season, that’s a really big advantage.”

And the future? The system is currently running at half capacity, so there is still plenty of room to scale up.

The lesson: second-hand doesn’t mean second best

For BMS, this installation is more than technology alone. It’s a lever for achieving growth and confidence. Automation doesn’t have to cost millions, and you don’t always have to start from scratch.

What you do need is a partner who listens, helps you think things through and really contributes. Not a sales organisation, but a companion who travels alongside you, even when things get technically stressful.

This project shows that second-hand doesn’t mean second best. Above all, smart automation means using your common sense.