iSS Automation

What iSS Automation does

iSS Automation operates as the brand identity for Dürkopp Fördertechnik GmbH (DFT), a Bielefeld-headquartered German intralogistics specialist and a subsidiary of Austrian warehouse automation group KNAPP AG. The company designs, manufactures, and services custom sorting systems and hanging garment conveyor solutions for distribution centers worldwide. Its core technology platform centers on proprietary adapter-based pocket sorters — AutoPocket® and EcoPocket® — complemented by tray sorters (Split Tray, Push Tray horizontal/vertical), Cross Belt Sorters, and hanging garment handling systems (EcoFlow®, GarmentFlow®, EcoTrolley). These systems are engineered for high-throughput sequencing of eCommerce orders, store replenishment, and parcel sorting, with throughputs reaching 10,000+ items per hour depending on configuration.

The software layer around the hardware includes a Warehouse Control System (WCS) for real-time process coordination, a SCADA visualization suite, an Analytics module, the redPILOT® resource optimization engine, and a Sorter API for external system integration. Service revenue is anchored by the Condition Monitoring Center (predictive/preventive maintenance), the Service Management Office (SMO), spare parts cabinets, training, and an eService portal. Customers are predominantly enterprise fashion retailers and apparel brands (ASOS, Nike, H&M, Zalando, Inditex, Decathlon, Sephora, Marks & Spencer, Matalan, NEXT UK, Celio and others), with additional reference customers in logistics/3PL (Arvato, Wehkamp, Viaposte), pharmaceuticals (Limedika), and circular economy (ACS Clothing). The firm reports 57+ brand customers and 160+ distribution centers equipped worldwide.

Revenue is generated primarily through direct enterprise field sales of large-scale, custom-engineered industrial installations (hardware systems sales), supplemented by recurring software licensing (WCS/SCADA/Analytics) and aftermarket service and maintenance contracts. Pricing is quote-based given system customization. The go-to-market is global enterprise field sales, leveraging KNAPP AG's international distribution network across Europe, the Americas, and Asia. The company is led by Paul Mess (founder and managing director).

Name

iSS Automation

Legal name

Dürkopp Fördertechnik GmbH

Website

https://iss-automation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

iSS Automation (Dürkopp Fördertechnik / DFT) is a German intralogistics subsidiary of KNAPP AG that designs and manufactures proprietary pocket sorter and hanging garment conveyor systems, plus WCS/SCADA software, for global fashion retailers, eCommerce, parcel logistics, and pharmaceutical distributors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sorting and Conveyor Systems

NAICS

Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560), Industrial Trucks, Tractors, Trailors & Stackers (3537)

akta.pro primary industry

Warehouse & Intralogistics Automation Systems (AS/RS, Sortation, Conveyance Controls) (IMAHAHAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial Automation Software (SCADA, HMI, MES, Historian) (IMAHAHAJ), Packaging Line Automation, Robotics & Integration (Controls, Turnkey Lines) (IMALAOAL)

Keywords

• Intralogistics systems
• Sorting technology
• Warehouse control software
• Conveyor systems
• Material handling automation

Headquarters

HQ city

Gronau

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hardware Systems Sales: Sale of automated sorting systems including pocket sorters, tray sorters, cross belt sorters, and hanging garment conveyor systems. These are large-scale industrial installations requiring custom engineering and project management.
2. Software Licenses and Solutions: Warehouse Control System (WCS), SCADA visualization, Analytics, and resource optimization software. Includes ongoing software support and updates.
3. Service and Maintenance: Technical support, on-site maintenance, spare parts, spare parts cabinets, eService portal, training services, and condition monitoring. Service Management Office provides ongoing support.
4. IT Services: IT services for sorter systems including integration, consulting, and technical support.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

iSS Automation designs and supplies custom control and software solutions for intralogistics, including pocket, tray, cross-belt, and hanging-garment sorters, modular conveyor systems (EcoFlow, GarmentFlow, EcoTrolley), and the proprietary Warehouse Control System (WCS), SCADA, Analytics, and redPILOT optimization software for automated distribution centers. The company also delivers lifecycle services such as Condition Monitoring, Service Management, and eService Portal support to apparel, parcel/postal, eCommerce, pharmaceutical wholesale, and reCommerce customers worldwide.

Product overview

Dürkopp Fördertechnik (DFT) offers a comprehensive intralogistics platform combining material handling equipment and sorting systems with integrated software solutions. The portfolio centers on pocket sorter systems (AutoPocket®, EcoPocket®) for eCommerce and retail logistics, complemented by hanging conveyor systems (EcoFlow®, GarmentFlow®, EcoTrolley) for garment handling. The sorter portfolio includes Split Tray, Push Tray (horizontal/vertical), and Cross Belt Sorters. Software offerings encompass the Warehouse Control System (WCS) for real-time process coordination, SCADA for visualization, Analytics for data-driven insights, and redPILOT® for resource optimization. Solutions extend to automatic packaging, digital twins, multi-channel fulfillment, predictive/preventive services, and returns management. The company serves fashion, parcel logistics, eCommerce, pharmaceutical wholesale, and reCommerce industries, with 160+ distribution centers equipped worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AutoPocket®: Intralogistics solution for sequencing and sorting eCommerce and store supply tasks
• EcoPocket®
• EcoFlow®
• GarmentFlow®
• EcoTrolley
• Split Tray Sorter
• Push Tray Sorter
• Cross Belt Sorter
• redPILOT®
• Warehouse Control System (WCS)
• SCADA
• Analytics
• Sorterfinder
• Condition Monitoring Center

Products and services

• AutoPocket
• EcoPocket
• EcoFlow
• GarmentFlow
• EcoTrolley
• Split Tray Sorter
• Push Tray Sorter horizontal
• Push Tray Sorter vertical
• Cross Belt Sorter
• Warehouse Control System (WCS)
• SCADA software
• Analytics software
• redPILOT (Resource Optimization)
• Sorter Systems API

Quantifiable outcome

• 160+ distribution centers worldwide equipped with DFT systems
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers43 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature14 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• KNAPP AGflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDFT (Dürkopp Fördertechnik) is a brand and subsidiary of KNAPP AG, a global provider of intralogistics solutions. The partnership involves shared technology development, global distribution network, and complementary product portfolios in warehouse automation and material handling systems. KNAPP provides the broader corporate infrastructure while DFT maintains its specialized expertise in hanging garment handling and sorting systems.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• TGW Logistics Group: TGW Logistics is a European intralogistics specialist offering conveyor and sortation systems, including pocket-style and cross-belt sorters, serving fashion retail and eCommerce customers in overlapping geographies and verticals to DFT.
• Interroll Group: Interroll is a leading supplier of sortation and conveying components and systems, including cross-belt and tray sorters used in distribution centers. Its Modular Conveyor Platform and sorter portfolio compete with DFT's sortation and conveying systems.
• Beumer Group: Beumer Group offers BG Pouch Sorter and Crisplant sortation systems that are direct functional analogs to DFT's pocket sorters (AutoPocket®, EcoPocket®), serving parcel, fashion, and eCommerce customers with similar technology and comparable value proposition.

Broad incumbents

• Vanderlande: Vanderlande (Toyota Industries) is a major warehouse automation and sortation provider serving parcel, fashion retail, and eCommerce customers. Its SORTEC sorters and integration capabilities directly compete with DFT's sorter portfolio in similar end-customer segments.
• Dematic: Dematic (KION Group) is a global leader in intralogistics and warehouse automation, offering a broad portfolio of sortation systems, conveyors, and software that directly overlaps with DFT's pocket sorter and tray sorter offerings, though Dematic operates across all verticals at much larger scale.
• Swisslog: Swisslog (KUKA Group) provides automated warehouse and distribution center solutions including sortation, conveying, and software, comparable to DFT in product category and target market (retail, eCommerce, fashion) but with much broader scale and a wider solution portfolio.
• Honeywell Intelligrated: Honeywell Intelligrated provides integrated warehouse execution systems, sortation, and conveyor solutions for retail, eCommerce, and parcel customers. It competes with DFT on larger integrated DC deals where it can bundle sortation with broader automation.

Others

• KNAPP AG: KNAPP AG is DFT's parent company and a global intralogistics solutions provider offering warehouse automation, shuttle systems, and software. While also a parent rather than direct competitor, KNAPP's broader product portfolio and global reach set the strategic context and competitive environment in which DFT operates.

Emerging players

• Nido Group (formerly Nido Automation): Nido Group is a niche automation provider focused on hanging garment and flat-pack handling solutions, directly comparable to DFT's EcoFlow® and GarmentFlow® product lines for the fashion and apparel logistics vertical.
• MACH Systems: MACH Systems provides hanging conveyor and garment handling systems for apparel distribution centers, overlapping with DFT's hanging garment (GOH) product portfolio. It is a smaller, niche specialist that targets the same fashion logistics customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@DFT_Duerkopp-Foerdertechnik
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iss-automation-llc
• Instagraminstagram.com/dft.bielefeld
• Facebookfacebook.com/issauto

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about iSS Automation