The new setup moves away from a forklift-led, manual dock model. In practice, that affects more than just speed – it changes how the loading area is organised and how goods flow through the operation.
Autoload (Automated Truck Loader System) went live at the start of 2026 and is designed for automated trailer loading and unloading. Unlike standard processes where each pallet is placed into the vehicle separately, this system runs the operation as one continuous movement.
GXO says a full loading and unloading cycle takes around two minutes. By reducing the presence of forklifts in the dock area, the solution is intended to improve safety and make the process more stable.
The system is designed to scale and can be integrated with existing automation, allowing it to be used across different operating setups.
What it changes inside the warehouse
According to the operator, the implementation influences the entire warehouse workflow – from order picking through to loading.
Nearly 50 percent of our revenue in Central Europe comes from automated operations – said Jean-Luc Bessade, managing director of GXO for Central Europe.
Grupa Żywiec, meanwhile, points to clearer processes and improved workplace safety.
“By using GXO’s advanced technology, GXO helps us improve efficiency, safety and sustainability” – said Michał Kalinowski, contract logistics manager at Grupa Żywiec.
Higher throughput without more space
By cutting the number of manual activities at the dock, the system is expected to increase the throughput of the existing infrastructure without expanding it. That means more transport operations can be handled within the same warehouse footprint.
GXO adds that the system’s precision reduces the risk of mistakes and supports consistent, repeatable processes – particularly important in production and distribution environments.
The Elbląg rollout fits a broader push to automate contract logistics across Europe. Poland is increasingly becoming a market where such solutions are tested and implemented ahead of potential expansion into other countries. As the first deployment of its kind in Europe, the Elbląg system stands out as one of the region’s more significant projects to automate trailer loading.
Further reading
If you’re tracking how automation is reshaping logistics end-to-end, these related pieces add useful context on how new technologies are changing vehicle and fleet operations alongside warehouse processes.
- MAN turns the eTGX into a rolling power bank with bidirectional charging
– Shows how automation is also moving into the truck itself, with new capabilities that can affect depot operations, energy planning and day-to-day transport workflows.
