Exoskeletons for food & beverage sector in retail

Updated: Oct 29

Fruit and vegetables are both delicious and nutritious, but constantly lifting and palletizing heavy crates and boxes can take a serious toll on workers' backs. Himbert, a fruit and vegetable wholesaler based in Saarland, Germany, decided to introduce AI-driven Apogee exoskeletons for its employees to tackle this challenge. The results speak for themselves: tons of weight compensation, healthier and happier workers handling bananas, apples, and oranges, and real-time data insights that speed up processes and enhance accuracy. These exoskeletons have also become a topic of interest among customers globally, and their impact is clear: no one at the company wants to work without them.

About Himbert

With a workforce of about 100, Himbert GmbH has been a leading wholesaler and service provider in the fruit and vegetable sector in southwest Germany for over 60 years. Based in Völklingen, the company operates its own banana ripening facility with a packaging station and a fleet of 16 refrigerated trucks, along with additional transport partners to service its clients

The Challenge

Handling large boxes of fruit, especially bananas ripened on-site, places significant physical demands on Himbert’s packers. Every day, they move between 3,000 and 6,000 boxes of bananas, each weighing 19 kg (42 lbs), which adds up to 10-15 tons per person daily. This repetitive strain can lead to long-term back injuries, a risk also acknowledged by the company's insurance provider. Managing Director Johannes Himbert initially tried passive exoskeletons, but they proved unsatisfactory: “Our employees didn’t like them, and they often caused discomfort, such as digging into the shoulders, leading to disuse,” he explains. However, after learning about German Bionic’s e-exoskeletons, he saw a potential solution.

“Back problems, damaged intervertebral discs, hernias: The Apogee is a great preventative measure against these ailments. That’s why I say: Even if you think you don’t really need it, you should give it a try. Because the amount of support and the level of satisfaction people have with the exoskeletons is very high.”

Johannes HimbertManaging Director, Himbert GmbH

The Solution

Following a successful test, the AI-powered Apogee exoskeletons were swiftly adopted at Himbert. These power suits support the lower back with up to 36 kg (80 lbs) of assistance per lift and provide active walking support, which is especially beneficial in large warehouses. Lightweight and easy to put on like a backpack, the exosuits can be fastened in just 20 seconds. With a simple press of a button, workers instantly gain extra strength, while the display shows data like weight compensation and step counts.

The Result

Himbert employees now benefit from about 30 tons of weight compensation daily, as well as improved accuracy and efficiency thanks to real-time data provided by the connected exoskeletons. Where before they relied on estimates, the company can now track precise KPIs via the exosuits’ digital display. More importantly, the health and well-being of the workers have improved dramatically. The devices quickly became popular, with employees eager to use them each day. There's even friendly competition in the mornings over who gets to wear the exoskeletons first. Customers visiting from around the world are intrigued by the technology, frequently asking questions and considering its application for their own operations. Himbert is already planning to expand its fleet of e-exoskeletons.

“Our team was enthusiastic right from the start and uses the devices every day. Especially our younger colleagues can’t wait to put them on and hit the ‘on’ button. The devices are very easy to use and everyone knows immediately what they need to do.”