- The new solution, developed with Signature One, combines weight control, light-guided picking and digital quality checks to improve accuracy and efficiency in a warehouse handling around 2,800 orders a day.
Rhenus has introduced a new smart order-picking solution for Merck at its dedicated logistics hub in Strasbourg, marking the latest step in a 16-year partnership between the companies. The project follows the launch of a low-carbon logistics solution in Alsace in 2025 and underlines their shared focus on innovation, operational excellence and more sustainable logistics performance.
The Rhenus hub in Strasbourg supports Merck’s operations in Molsheim and processes around 2,800 orders a day across a continuous three-shift operation. At this scale, reliable processes are essential to secure product availability, picking accuracy and the level of service expected by customers.
“Innovation has always been central to our partnership with Merck,” said Julien Brech, Operations Manager at the Rhenus Strasbourg site. “This project shows how close collaboration can deliver practical solutions that improve operational performance, reinforce quality assurance and create tangible value for our customer.”
Merck, a leading science and technology company active in healthcare, life science and electronics, operates in sectors where logistics reliability is a strategic requirement. To improve picking accuracy and reduce the risk of errors, Merck and Rhenus developed a solution tailored to the site’s operational needs.
“Our shared objective with Rhenus was to improve customer satisfaction by ensuring that the right quantities are picked for every order,” said Quentin Decoster, Distribution Manager at Merck’s Molsheim site. “In an operation handling nearly 2,800 orders a day, continuous improvement is essential. By combining Rhenus’ logistics expertise, Signature One’s technological know-how and our own operational insight, we have developed a more accurate, efficient and reliable solution that reflects the complexity of our product range.”
Developed with Signature One, a specialist in logistics technology, the smart trolley brings together onboard weighing, visual guidance and digital quality-control features in one ergonomic platform designed for high-volume order-picking operations.
“Merck and Rhenus asked us to develop an order-picking solution that would be both faster and more reliable,” said Jocelyn Drevet, Mechanical Design Manager at Signature One. “We designed a smart trolley that helps secure preparation processes while making operators’ work easier. The main technical challenge was to integrate up to 30 scales on a single trolley, while balancing reliability, cost and integration quality. The result is an innovative solution built for a high-volume, performance-driven logistics environment.”
The smart trolley integrates several features designed to improve both picking reliability and the operator experience. Its onboard weight-control system automatically checks the quantities and weights selected during order preparation. The ergonomic design helps operators move efficiently from one order to the next, while light guidance supports faster picking. Onboard cameras make it possible to review orders afterwards when further analysis is required following a customer request. The trolleys are also colour-coded according to their type of use, giving teams clear visual cues on the warehouse floor and helping organise flows more effectively.
Designed for highly demanding supply chains
In healthcare, life science and advanced technology sectors, order accuracy and traceability are critical. Even minor errors can cause disruption, delays or additional administrative workload. By combining automated weight control, ergonomic design, visual guidance and advanced quality-control tools, the solution helps secure the order-preparation process from start to finish.
“Feedback from the teams has been extremely positive,” added Julien Brech. “Thanks to its intuitive design, the solution was quickly adopted by operators. The combination of weight control, visual guidance and digital quality-control tools strengthens process reliability and helps maintain a high level of service for Merck’s customers.”
A 16-year partnership focused on logistics innovation
The new development builds on a long-standing collaboration between Rhenus and Merck. In 2025, the partners reached an important milestone with the deployment of a low-carbon logistics shuttle powered by B100 renewable biodiesel between Merck’s Molsheim site and the Rhenus logistics hub in Strasbourg. The latest order-picking solution further reflects their shared ambition to improve logistics performance and service quality through practical innovation.
Preparing the next stage of logistics transformation
The implementation is also a step forward in the digitalisation of logistics operations. In the next phase, the smart trolleys will be connected to an end-to-end order-preparation system covering the full operational flow, from truck unloading to final customer delivery.
Over time, this integration will connect the trolleys with conveyors, on-demand packaging systems and other warehouse management tools, creating a more fluid, connected and high-performing logistics chain.
Sixteen years after their collaboration began, Rhenus and Merck continue to focus on continuous improvement through solutions designed around real operational challenges. The latest deployment reflects their shared ambition to build a logistics model that is more reliable, efficient and aligned with customer expectations.
