KBU Logistics
KBU Logistik AG is a Bremen-based German software company that sells the modular KBU-LVS warehouse management system and related modules (forklift guidance, material flow control, Pick-by-Vision) primarily to DACH-region Mittelstand and select enterprise customers via direct, consulting-led sales.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1988
- HeadquartersBremen, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What KBU Logistics does
KBU Logistik AG, headquartered in Bremen, Germany, is a privately held German software company (Aktiengesellschaft) that develops and sells modular warehouse management software under the KBU-LVS brand. Founded circa 1988 as Klaus Bodenbach Unternehmensberatung, the firm has accumulated more than 35 years of intralogistics consulting heritage and today serves primarily mid-market Mittelstand customers across the DACH region, with additional enterprise accounts in manufacturing, electrical wholesale, food, packaging, automotive, and consumer electronics. The company also places training-grade systems in vocational schools (BBS Jever, BBS Bremen) to seed future logistics talent pipelines.
The KBU-LVS platform is a web-based, hardware-independent WMS with a modular architecture that integrates with major ERP systems (SAP, ABAS, Oracle), automated storage, and conveyor technology. Around this core the company offers specialized modules: KBU-FLS forklift guidance system with WLAN-triangulation floor detection, KBU-MFR and the newer KBU-iMFR material flow controllers for manufacturer-independent automation integration, the award-winning Pick-by-Vision data glasses application (HTML5/CSS3/JavaScript-based, co-developed with 28Apps), Pick & Pack carton optimization, BOM management, RFID-based Keyless-Login, WII-LOG virtual commissioning service, and preventive server monitoring (Ausfallschutz). A text-based AI support agent was added to KBU-LVS in February 2026.
Revenue derives from software licenses and subscriptions on a modular, annually-billed basis, combined with substantial professional services revenue from consulting, implementation, commissioning, and ongoing support. Distribution is exclusively direct and consulting-led, with sales led by Michael Ahnemann (Leiter Vertrieb) and engineering led by Horst Hanke (Entwicklungsleiter und Mitglied der Geschäftsführung). The company holds no identified outside investors and has operated cash-generatively; five consecutive Fraunhofer IML WMS database validations (2021–2025) and two INNOVATIONSPREIS-IT awards (2015, 2017) constitute its principal third-party endorsements.
KBU Logistics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- KBU Logistics
- Legal name
- KBU Logistik AG
- Website
- https://kbu-logistik.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1988
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- KBU Logistik AG is a Bremen-based German software company that sells the modular KBU-LVS warehouse management system and related modules (forklift guidance, material flow control, Pick-by-Vision) primarily to DACH-region Mittelstand and select enterprise customers via direct, consulting-led sales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
KBU Logistics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Warehouse Management Software
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415), Computer Systems Design Services (541512)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Core WMS (Inventory, Receiving, Putaway, Picking, Packing, Shipping) (TLAEABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- WMS for Automation & Robotics Orchestration (WES/WCS Integration) (TLAEABAI), WMS for Manufacturing & Production Warehousing (TLAEABAD)
Keywords
Where KBU Logistics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bremen
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
KBU Logistics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Software Licenses and Subscriptions: KBU-LVS is sold as a modular, scalable warehouse management software. The modular concept allows customers to purchase modules tailored to their needs, suggesting a combination of one-time license fees and recurring maintenance/support contracts. AI integration is referenced as a recent module addition.
- Professional Services: Implementation, consulting, commissioning, and ongoing customer support are core revenue streams. KBU accompanies customers from initial consultation through commissioning and beyond, providing ongoing customization and extension services. Virtual commissioning (WII-LOG) is also offered as a standalone professional service.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Custom modular pricing based on selected modules and customer requirements |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
KBU Logistics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
KBU Logistik develops and sells modular, web-based warehouse management software (KBU-LVS) along with specialized sub-systems for forklift guidance (KBU-FLS), manufacturer-independent material flow control (KBU-MFR/KBU-iMFR), and Pick-by-Vision smart-glasses picking. The company targets the German Mittelstand and enterprise customers with turnkey WMS implementations, supported by implementation, consulting, and ongoing service work, and sells a virtual commissioning service (WII-LOG) and an integrated AI support agent inside KBU-LVS.
Product overview
KBU Logistics offers a modular warehouse management software ecosystem centered on KBU-LVS as the core platform. The product portfolio includes specialized modules: KBU-FLS (forklift guidance system) and KBU-MFR (material flow computer) for controlling automated storage and conveyor systems, with KBU-iMFR (intelligent material flow computer) as an advanced variant. For picking operations, KBU-Vision/Pick-by-Vision provides smart glasses picking with augmented reality. Supporting modules include Pick & Pack (automatic carton optimization), Stücklistenverwaltung (BOM management), Keyless-Login (RFID authentication), Stockwerkserkennung (WLAN-based floor detection), WII-LOG (virtual commissioning simulation), and Ausfallschutz (preventive server monitoring). An AI support agent is integrated into KBU-LVS for direct user assistance. The architecture follows a modular approach allowing customers to implement individual solutions combining different modules based on their operational requirements.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- KBU-LVS (Lagerverwaltungssystem): Core warehouse management software (LVS) – a modular, scalable system for warehouse management, material flow control, and order picking. Validated by Fraunhofer Institute IML.
- KBU-FLS (Funk-Leit-System)
- KBU-MFR / KBU-iMFR (Materialflussrechner)
- KBU-Vision-App / Pick-by-Vision
- WII-LOG – Wirtschaftliche Logistik
Products and services
- KBU-LVS Warehouse Management Software Branch-neutral, modular and scalable warehouse management software delivering turnkey, tailored solutions for individual customer requirements. Covers standard warehouse operations, inventory, picking, and integration with material flow systems and ERP.
- KBU-FLS Forklift Guidance System Radio guidance system for optimal order assignment and intelligent control of forklift vehicles and pickers, avoiding unproductive empty and search runs in the warehouse.
- KBU-MFR Material Flow Controller
Companies that use KBU Logistics
Customer profileNamed customers20 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
KBU Logistics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
AI capability2 records
Feature9 records
KBU Logistics partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- Fraunhofer Institut fuer Materialfluss und Logistik IMLcoreKBU Logistik participates in the Fraunhofer IML WMS database with KBU-LVS, undergoing independent third-party validation. Fraunhofer IML's 'warehouse logistics' team conducts systematic evaluation of WMS functionality, quality standards, and innovation breadth. KBU has been validated consecutively from 2021 through 2025. The validation serves as a key quality differentiator and competitive benchmarking exercise.
- SMB International GmbH & Co. KGcoreSMB International provides compact warehouse systems (Kompaktlager) and KBU-LVS provides software-side control. Jointly delivered virtual commissioning (WII-LOG) project for Schiettinger Gruppe, where KBU used SMB's CAD drawings to build 3D simulation for capacity planning and bottleneck detection before physical construction of up to 42,000 pallet positions.
- 28Appsflagship28Apps, a Bremen-based mobile specialist, co-developed with KBU the Pick-by-Vision app (KBU-Vision-App) as a web-based open solution for data glasses. 28Apps contributes Android and mobile app development expertise; KBU provides logistics domain knowledge. The resulting app acts as a web browser supporting HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript for hardware-neutral data glasses integration.
- Foerster & Krause GmbH & Co. KG (Foerster & Krause)coreFoerster & Krause acts as general contractor for materials handling projects and collaborates with KBU Logistik on joint projects. Currently delivering the KBU-iMFR intelligent material flow controller for IP Verpackungen' production expansion, with Foerster & Krause as general contractor for conveyor technology.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
KBU Logistics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Blue Yonder (formerly JDA Software): Blue Yonder offers an AI-driven WMS as part of its end-to-end supply chain platform, frequently competing for the same large DACH enterprise customers. Substantially larger scale and cloud-first architecture contrast with KBU's on-premise modular focus.
- Körber WMS (formerly HighJump): Körber's Supply Chain division offers a globally deployed WMS (formerly HighJump) with deep manufacturing, distribution, and 3PL coverage. It is a broad incumbent competing for the same German Mittelstand and enterprise customers, but with substantially larger scale and broader portfolio.
- Manhattan Associates: Manhattan Associates is a leading global WMS vendor (Active WM) used by large enterprises and 3PLs. It is a broad incumbent that frequently competes for the upper end of KBU's enterprise accounts (e.g., TFA Dostmann, PFLITSCH scale).
- SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM): SAP EWM is the de facto enterprise WMS for SAP-centric customers and is already integrated with KBU-LVS at sites like OSRAM. It is the broad incumbent against which KBU positions as a lighter, modular bolt-on for SAP landscapes.
Direct peers
- Teamarbeit Systemhaus GmbH (Lager): Teamarbeit is a German software vendor offering a modular warehouse management system (LAGER) targeted at small and mid-sized businesses in DACH. It is one of the closest direct peers to KBU in the mid-market WMS space.
- inconso AG (Kühne+Nagel subsidiary): inconso is a German WMS/TMS/logistics software provider (now part of Kühne+Nagel) competing head-to-head with KBU for DACH logistics and manufacturing customers. Comparable modular WMS offering and similar mid-market-to-enterprise customer orientation.
- PSI Software AG (PSIwms): PSI Software is a German vendor of industrial/energy/logistics software including PSIwms, a warehouse management system. It is a direct peer to KBU in the DACH mid-market WMS segment, serving manufacturing and logistics customers with comparable module architectures.
Regional players
- LFS (Lödige Fight Systems): LFS is the warehouse management software from Germany's Lödige, primarily serving the DACH market and competing with KBU in mid-sized manufacturing and logistics projects. Comparable direct WMS offering and similar regional focus.
Emerging players
- Cin7 Core (formerly DEAR Systems): Cin7 is a cloud-native inventory and warehouse management platform serving SMBs and mid-market manufacturers/wholesalers globally. It represents the emerging cloud-first threat to traditional on-premise mid-market WMS vendors like KBU.
- Jungheinrich WMS / Easy WMS: Jungheinrich is a major intralogistics OEM that offers its own WMS as part of integrated warehouse solutions, often bundled with automation hardware. It competes with KBU in DACH mid-market deals where customers want a single-vendor hardware + software stack.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
KBU Logistics social profiles
Digital presenceKBU Logistics compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
KBU Logistics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
KBU Logistics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
KBU Logistics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
KBU Logistics M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about KBU Logistics
What does KBU Logistics do?
KBU Logistik develops and sells modular, web-based warehouse management software (KBU-LVS) along with specialized sub-systems for forklift guidance (KBU-FLS), manufacturer-independent material flow control (KBU-MFR/KBU-iMFR), and Pick-by-Vision smart-glasses picking. The company targets the German Mittelstand and enterprise customers with turnkey WMS implementations, supported by implementation, consulting, and ongoing service work, and sells a virtual commissioning service (WII-LOG) and an integrated AI support agent inside KBU-LVS.
Is KBU Logistics a public or private company?
KBU Logistics is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was KBU Logistics founded?
KBU Logistics was founded in 1988. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is KBU Logistics based?
KBU Logistics is headquartered in Bremen, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does KBU Logistics make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Software Licenses and Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are professional Services.
Who are KBU Logistics's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Blue Yonder (formerly JDA Software), Körber WMS (formerly HighJump), Manhattan Associates and SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM). Direct peers are Teamarbeit Systemhaus GmbH (Lager), inconso AG (Kühne+Nagel subsidiary) and PSI Software AG (PSIwms). LFS (Lödige Fight Systems) is listed as a regional player. Emerging players are Cin7 Core (formerly DEAR Systems) and Jungheinrich WMS / Easy WMS.
Does KBU Logistics have an API?
No public API is recorded for KBU Logistics.
What industry is KBU Logistics in?
KBU Logistics's product category is Warehouse Management Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAEABAA, Core WMS (Inventory, Receiving, Putaway, Picking, Packing, Shipping), with a secondary code of TLAEABAI, WMS for Automation & Robotics Orchestration (WES/WCS Integration). Its NAICS code is 5415 and its SIC code is 7373.