KNAPP’s Cobb Presence Supports U.S. Growth Amid Shifting Logistics Landscape

Editor’s note: This article is written in partnership with KNAPP Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of an Austrian supply chain automation provider based in Cobb County.  

When KNAPP Inc. first set up shop in the United States in 1997, its founders opened the company’s first U.S. office in a Cartersville garage.

Today, the Kennesaw-based subsidiary of Austrian automation provider KNAPP AG employs over 1,100 people nationwide—roughly half of them in Cobb County—and plays a key role in shaping the future of logistics and supply chain automation in North America. 

KNAPP Inc. Chief Financial Officer Clemens Bauer, who lives in Cobb County and has worked for KNAPP in various roles and countries since 2018, says the company’s trajectory in Georgia reflects larger global shifts toward smarter supply chains and faster fulfillment expectations. 

“We started as a typical sales and service subsidiary,” Mr. Bauer says. “But over the past seven or eight years—especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic—we evolved into a full-fledged technology hub, with a significant focus on innovation relating to software development, engineering and customer service.” 

“Material handling today is about much more than racks and conveyors. It’s about creating intelligent, adaptive systems that respond to real-time changes in demand, inventory and consumer expectations.” 

Clemens bauer, Cfo, Knapp inc.

A Global Company, Embedded Locally 

KNAPP AG, headquartered in Graz, Austria, has more than 8,500 employees worldwide. 

The company provides integrated software and hardware solutions for intelligent logistics automation for every step of the value chain—from production and distribution to point of sale, across health care, retail, fashion and apparel, food retail, wholesale, manufacturing and e-commerce.

But what sets KNAPP apart is its strategic positioning as a “value chain technology partner,” Mr. Bauer explains. Rather than focusing solely on warehouse automation, KNAPP takes a collaborative approach to customer partnerships with a strong focus on customer service and long-term mutual success.

“Material handling today is about much more than racks and conveyors,” he says. “It’s about creating intelligent, adaptive systems that respond to real-time changes in demand, inventory and consumer expectations.” 

Cobb County: A Talent and Innovation Hub 

Mr. Bauer credits much of KNAPP’s rapid U.S. expansion to the support the company has received from the local community. In particular, he highlights the availability of top-tier talent as a major reason KNAPP has thrived in Cobb County. 

“We’re near Georgia Tech, the University of Georgia and especially Kennesaw State University—right in our backyard,” Mr. Bauer says. “That proximity gives us direct access to a steady pipeline of talented engineers, developers and technicians.” 

KNAPP also benefits from partnerships with the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the City of Kennesaw, all of which have provided resources and support in areas ranging from workforce development to navigating permitting and grant opportunities. 

“The Cobb Chamber has been very welcoming,” Mr. Bauer says. “They’ve helped connect us with local universities, business leaders and other institutions, which has been instrumental in our growth.” 

Growth Through European-American Culture 

Though KNAPP has scaled rapidly, it has done so while remaining family-owned—a structure that influences how it recruits and retains employees. 

“We try to bring our Austrian company culture into the U.S. workplace,” Mr. Bauer says. “That includes things like extended parental leave, subsidized childcare, healthy food options at work and even office designs that prioritize natural light.” 

Those values, he added, have helped KNAPP build not just a skilled workforce, but a loyal one. 

“It’s not for everyone,” he acknowledges, “but it’s deeply embedded in how we operate, and it attracts people who align with our mission.” 

Automation’s Time Has Come 

Mr. Bauer believes KNAPP’s U.S. success is also due to broader changes in consumer behavior and the increasing need for resilient, agile supply chains.

Today’s consumers expect same-day or next-day delivery, real-time inventory visibility and frictionless shopping experiences—expectations that require smarter systems powered by automation, AI and predictive analytics. 

“In today’s world, you can’t afford to rely on manual warehouse operations anymore,” Mr. Bauer says. “Automation is not a luxury—it’s a necessity.” 

KNAPP’s systems use artificial intelligence to optimize warehouse layout, direct autonomous robots and dynamically adjust delivery routes in response to changing conditions. 

“Our software development is now heavily AI-supported,” Mr. Bauer says. “It’s not about AI writing code for us but rather helping our engineers work more efficiently and intelligently. The same applies to our warehouse systems—they’re constantly learning and adapting.” 

Looking Ahead 

Despite global uncertainties, Mr. Bauer is optimistic about KNAPP’s future. The company experienced a strong rebound in demand in the second half of 2024 and anticipates a successful wrapup to 2025. 

“In times of volatility, our value proposition becomes clearer,” he says. “We help customers build stable, flexible systems that allow them to adapt—no matter what’s happening in the world.” 

When asked what he would tell other international firms considering expansion to Georgia, Mr. Bauer says:

“Cobb County is a great place to do business. The talent pool, the economic incentives, the supportive business environment—all of it makes this an ideal place for international growth. And the good weather doesn’t hurt, either.” 

• Visit https://knapp.us/ for more information. Learn about the Cobb Chamber’s international business initiatives by contacting its economic development arm, SelectCobb, and its director, Amanda Blanton, at ablanton@cobbchamber.org.  

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