KASTO automation solution from Achern-Gamshurst supports one of Germany’s most modern plants
Drive specialist SEW-EURODRIVE has been awarded the prestigious “Factory of the Year” industrial prize in the “Outstanding Series Production” category.
At the award ceremony held during the 34th “Factory of the Year” Congress in Dortmund on 18 and 19 March 2026, SEW-EURODRIVE provided insights into its Smart Factory Hall North in Graben-Neudorf and demonstrated how modern series production is being reimagined today.
The internationally active company’s products are used worldwide across a wide range of industries – from intralogistics and mechanical and plant engineering to complex conveyor systems, including baggage handling systems at airports. The award-winning Hall North plant in Graben-Neudorf is regarded as one of Germany’s most advanced production centres. Technology from the Ortenau region plays an important role in the award-winning plant: KASTO Maschinenbau from Achern-Gamshurst supplied key components for production and material flow logistics. Among the decisive factors for the award were the innovative plant design, modern Industry 4.0 approaches and the implementation of the “never-touch-a-part” principle, in which components are handled with as little manual contact as possible throughout the entire production process.
To supply its production lines, SEW-EURODRIVE relies on several highly automated systems from KASTO. At the heart of this globally unique system are a honeycomb storage system with 5,140 locations for cassettes with a load capacity of up to three tonnes, and a sawing centre with 450 locations for individual bars. These supply eight fully automatic production circular saws with robotic handling systems, a high-performance automatic bandsaw for large material cross-sections and seven output stations for material singulation.
Thanks to the KASTO warehouse management system (WMS), all systems are fully digitally networked. This allows the completely automated system to be operated by just up to four people. KASTO technology ensures that the production lines are supplied reliably at all times, with material movements carried out fully automatically and in line with demand.
Almost all technical divisions at KASTO were involved in the implementation – from robotics, sawing technology and storage logistics to software development. For the family-owned company, the project is one of the most extensive in its history.
“We are extremely proud that SEW-EURODRIVE has received the ‘Factory of the Year’ Award. Our systems were able to play a key role in one of Europe’s most modern plants. This lighthouse project will always hold a special place in KASTO’s history,” says Armin Stolzer, Managing Partner of KASTO Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG.
The full reference report on the SEW-EURODRIVE project is available at:
180 years of expertise – technology “made in Gamshurst” in demand worldwide
KASTO looks back on more than 180 years of engineering tradition. From its beginnings as a sawing pioneer, the company has developed into an international market and technology leader for sawing, storage and material handling systems.
Wherever metal is sawn, stored and moved, KASTO is at home – making it part of the value chain for almost every metal product, from chair legs to high-rise façades, from e-bikes to aircraft. As a provider with a holistic approach, the company is able to demonstrate its particular strengths especially in complex large-scale projects.