Skechers is building a new, highly automated European distribution center in Liège, Belgium. The company has selected KNAPP as its technology partner for the project, with KNAPP supplying the advanced intralogistics solutions. The facility will be commissioned in phases through mid-2030 and, starting in late 2028, will serve as a hub for Skechers’ shipments to the entire European market.
The solution is designed to support both current needs and future growth. With approximately 230,000 m² of logistics space and more than 3.3 million storage locations, the distribution center will be one of the most extensive automation projects ever undertaken in the European fashion and school logistics sector.
Skechers’ existing distribution center in Milmort, near Liège, has reached a point where continued growth is placing ever-greater demands on capacity and efficiency. The new European distribution center will ensure long-term distribution capacity for the European market, while automation will reduce reliance on manual processes. The goal is to create a flexible and future-proof logistics platform that enables Skechers to continue growing and quickly adapt to changing market needs.
“For more than 23 years, Skechers has relied on Wallonia as a strategic base for our European operations. This investment represents the next step in our growth. “With one of Europe’s most advanced and sustainable logistics facilities, we are strengthening our position and laying the groundwork for continued growth,” says David Weinberg, COO of Skechers.
”New Standard for Automated Shoe and Apparel Logistics”
With their new distribution center, Skechers and KNAPP are setting a new standard for automation in European fashion and school logistics. The solution is based on a fully integrated intralogistics platform where all material flows—from incoming shipments to outgoing shipments—are coordinated within a single system. At the heart of the center is one of the world’s largest Evo Shuttle systems, with over 3 million storage locations, complemented by automated buffer and replenishment systems, goods-to-person picking stations, automated pallet handling, and advanced transport and sorting solutions. All processes are controlled by KNAPP’s KiSoft software platform, which ensures full transparency, high flexibility, and maximum efficiency. The result is a future-proof logistics solution capable of handling increasing volumes, ensuring high delivery service levels, and supporting Skechers’ continued expansion in the European market.
High availability and long-term operational reliability
When Skechers was selecting a technology partner for its new European distribution center, it wasn’t just the solution’s technical capabilities that carried significant weight. The long-standing partnership between the companies, KNAPP’s capacity for innovation, and its comprehensive service offering were decisive factors behind the decision. In addition to delivering the automated logistics solution, KNAPP will ensure stable and efficient operations through its Smart Maintenance Approach. By combining data-driven, predictive maintenance with resident engineers on-site, the company creates the conditions for high availability and long-term operational reliability.
Skechers U.S.A. Benelux B.V. is a subsidiary of Skechers. The company, headquartered in Southern California, develops, designs, and markets a wide range of lifestyle and performance-oriented footwear, apparel, and accessories for men, women, and children. Skechers products are available in approximately 180 countries and territories through department stores, specialty retailers, and directly to consumers via skechers.com, as well as through approximately 5,300 Skechers stores worldwide.
