Supply Chain Automation in Romania—How EUROFIT Is Transforming the Industry with Intelligent Solutions

Global Logistics Automation Market: Verified Data and Trends

The warehouse-automation industry is experiencing accelerated growth worldwide. The European intralogistics-automation market is valued at EUR 9.71 billion in 2024 and is forecast to reach EUR 23.04 billion by 2033, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.08%. For Romania specifically, the freight-transport and logistics market stands at EUR 19.42 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow to EUR 22.33 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 2.83%.

ROI in Warehouse Automation: Payback Period

International specialist sources indicate that the ROI for AS/RS (Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems) ranges between 6 and 18 months for targeted implementations. For fully automated systems, the average payback period is 2-3 years.

Critical differentiation depends on the level of automation implemented:

Level 1 (WMS and RF/Voice picking): Payback in 6-12 months
Level 2 (Mechatronic systems—conveyors): 2 years
Level 3 (Semi-automated AS/RS systems): 2-3 years
Fully automated systems: Payback in 3-5 years for robots and 3-6 months for WMS

Validated, Measurable Benefits

International studies confirm the following tangible advantages:

• AS/RS cuts labor costs by 60% compared with manual shelf picking;

• Up to 85-90% space savings through high-density storage racks;

• Picking accuracy reaches 99.9%;

• Productivity increases by up to 70%.

Romania’s Strategic Position in the European Context—Investment Trends in Central and Eastern Europe

Romania enjoys favorable conditions for automation investments. According to an EY study, investments in Romania rose by 86% in 2022, while other countries in the region saw more modest growth. This trend is fueled by the global re-shaping of supply chains and a preference for cost-competitive European locations.

Bucharest ranks 7th among the EU’s most dynamic industrial logistics markets, with a modern industrial-and-logistics stock that has quadrupled in the past decade, topping 3.6 million sqm. Nationally, Romania’s modern industrial stock reached 7.6 million sqm in 2025, up from just 1.6 million sqm in 2015.

Adoption of Automation Technologies

Local studies reveal heightened readiness for automation: 23.7% of Romanian SMEs report needing software robots to accelerate business digitalization. Moreover, 47.4% of companies see intelligent software robots as useful for eliminating repetitive tasks and boosting operational efficiency.

EUROFIT Romania Solutions: Technical Approach and Results

Automation Portfolio

With more than 25 years of local market experience, EUROFIT Romania offers comprehensive automation solutions in two main categories:

Goods-to-Person Solutions: Eliminate employee walking inside the warehouse, streamlining workflows.
Palletized-goods Solutions: Automate storage and handling of palletized goods.

EUROFIT SIGMA System

EUROFIT implements the EUROFIT SIGMA system (Service-Installation-Guarranty-Maintenance-After-Sales), a smart digital platform built specifically to maximize the uptime of supplied equipment.

Romanian Industry: Specific Context and Opportunities

Infrastructure and Government Investments

Romania is deploying substantial investments in logistics infrastructure. In September 2024, the Government allocated EUR 7.71 billion to improve transport infrastructure, including:

• EUR 4.62 billion to upgrade the railway system;

• EUR 3.09 billion for road and highway improvements;

• Extending the highway network from 970 km to 1,300 km by the end of 2025.

Challenges and Prospects for Automation

The Romanian logistics sector faces a shortage of skilled personnel, with 37% of leaders reporting severe talent gaps. In this context, advanced technologies such as warehouse robotics provide a crucial solution, automating repetitive tasks.

Comparison with Developed European Markets – AS/RS Adoption Europe-Wide

AS/RS deployment in warehouses is only 15-20% globally, leaving 80-85% of the market untapped. Germany leads adoption in Europe, with 28,335 new industrial robots installed, marking a 29% increase in the automotive sector.

Romania’s Competitive Advantages

Romania can capitalize on:

• The EU’s second-lowest labor costs;

• Roughly 20% of the workforce employed in manufacturing;

• Strategic geographic positioning for Central and Eastern Europe;

• Substantial government support for digitalization and automation.

Technological Trends and the Future of Automation—Investments in AI and Advanced Technologies

50% of supply-chain organizations plan to invest in AI and advanced analytics as early as last year. Recent research shows that 46% of organizations already achieve ROI from AI in their supply chains, and those with integrated data foundations and AI capabilities realize ROI 2-3 times faster.

Implementation Challenges and Strategic Considerations—Critical Success Factors

To maximize ROI in automation, general managers and procurement leaders should consider:

• Process complexity and production volume: High-volume, complex processes deliver faster ROI;
• Initial investment costs: Higher costs extend the ROI period;
• Organizational maturity: Firms with integrated data foundations achieve superior outcomes.

Conclusions for Industry Leaders

Supply-chain automation in Romania is no longer a future option but an immediate strategic necessity. With a freight-transport and logistics market poised to hit EUR 22.33 billion by 2030 and government infrastructure investments of EUR 7.71 billion, Romania is positioning itself as a crucial regional logistics hub.

EUROFIT Romania, backed by over 25 years of expertise and a full portfolio of solutions certified to European standards, offers a strategic partnership for digital transformation. Achieving payback in under 12 months and boosting efficiency by 300% demonstrates that automation technologies are not merely investments in the future but immediate value generators.

The time to implement automation technologies is now. Romania has the potential to become the regional leader in logistics automation, and companies investing today in intelligent solutions will set the competitive standards for the next decade.