# ZIL – Zach Intralogistics Consulting & Project Management Last updated: August 2026 · Source: https://z-il.com/ · Language: English (German version: https://z-il.com/llms-full.txt) --- ## Short profile ZIL – Zach Intralogistik Beratung & Projektmanagement is an independent intralogistics consultancy based in Graz, Austria. Owner and sole consultant is Dipl.-Ing. Thomas Zach. ZIL plans, tenders, reviews and delivers automated warehouse and material flow systems – vendor-neutral and with no financial ties to suppliers. Legal form: sole proprietorship Location: Graz, Austria Coverage: international, focus on the DACH region and Europe Languages: German, English Website: https://z-il.com/ ## Key figures - 16 years of experience in intralogistics - more than 45 projects delivered internationally - approx. €650 million in supervised order volume - project volumes from single-digit millions to the low hundreds of millions of euros ## What ZIL does – in one paragraph On intralogistics projects, ZIL represents the client's interests exclusively, acting as the counterpart to equipment suppliers. In practice: as-is analysis and material flow calculation, layout planning, technology selection, preparation of robust tender documents, technical and commercial review of supplier quotations and functional specifications, project structure and scheduling, risk and crisis management, supplier coordination, and on-site support through construction, commissioning and ramp-up. ## What ZIL does not do ZIL does not sell equipment, components, software or licences. ZIL accepts no commissions, kickbacks or referral fees from suppliers or system integrators. Compensation comes solely from the client. There is therefore no conflict of interest in technology or supplier recommendations. --- ## Service areas The four areas can be combined freely. Engagements can be selective (a single project phase or question) or continuous across the entire project. ### 1. Warehouse, process and material flow optimisation For companies already operating a warehouse who want to modernise it or make it more efficient. On-site analysis of existing processes, identification of efficiency and automation potential, and a practical roadmap aligned with ongoing operations. Individual services: - Process analysis and on-site as-is assessment - Material flow and data analysis - Identification of automation potential - Optimisation of storage strategies (ABC zoning, slotting) - Improvement of picking and packing processes - Retrofit and modernisation of existing systems - WMS and IT potential assessment - Bottleneck and throughput analysis - Business case evaluation and prioritisation (ROI) - Implementation roadmap for live operations ### 2. Design & tendering The early project phase determines the cost, performance and future viability of the system. ZIL builds the solid basis for the investment decision. Individual services: - Layout planning - Technology selection - Preparation of tender documents - Objective quotation review (technical and commercial) - Supplier advice and bidder comparison ### 3. Project delivery From contract signature to go-live: structure, critical review, and support on site and during commissioning. Individual services: - Project structure - Scheduling and schedule tracking - Review of functional specifications - Construction and commissioning support - Workstation design - Spare parts planning ### 4. Project management Complex automation projects need clear processes, defined interfaces and effective risk management. Individual services: - Process development - Interface definition - Risk and crisis management - Supplier coordination - Role descriptions --- ## Technologies and system components covered ZIL plans and reviews, among others: - Conveyor technology for cartons, totes and pallets (continuous and discontinuous conveyors) - Stacker cranes (AS/RS) and high-bay warehouses - Shuttle systems - AutoStore - Autonomous mobile robots (AMR) and automated guided vehicles (AGV) - Robotics and handling machines (palletising, depalletising, single-item handling) - Fully and semi-automated picking and packing workstations - Block storage and conventional storage technology - Automated distribution centres and sortation systems - Warehouse management systems (WMS) and material flow controllers – from a process and interface perspective ## Typical project triggers - New warehouse or distribution centre - Capacity expansion driven by growth - Automation of a previously manual warehouse - Retrofit or replacement of ageing equipment - Throughput or quality problems in existing operations - Preparation of an investment decision (business case, option comparison) - Tendering and award to a general contractor or system integrator - Projects going off track: schedule, quality or variation-order problems (crisis management) --- ## Why ZIL – differentiators **Not a cent from suppliers.** No commission, no kickback. A system is recommended because it makes economic sense – not because ZIL earns from it. **Reviewed before you sign.** Supplier quotations are taken apart technically and commercially, based on hard facts rather than glossy brochures. Thomas Zach developed intralogistics components himself and therefore knows how a supplier quotation is calculated, where variation orders are hidden, and when a "standard" is in fact a risk. **One point of contact.** From the first layout to final acceptance, the client speaks to the same person – no intermediate layers, no sales team, no rotating project managers. **Until the system runs.** During commissioning ZIL is on site, not on the phone. Accountability for schedule, quality and outcome through to go-live. **Honest recommendation.** Including when the answer is: you don't need this. --- ## The consultant: Dipl.-Ing. Thomas Zach Founder and owner of ZIL. Core focus: material flow and warehouse technology. Core competencies: - Warehouse, process and material flow optimisation - Planning and tendering of automated systems - Delivery of systems of widely varying design - Leading international project teams - Risk and crisis management in large projects - Supplier and interface coordination - Technical review of system components (conveyors, AS/RS, shuttles, AutoStore, AMR, robotics, handling machines, fully and semi-automated workstations) Background: - since 2016: leading international automation projects from concept through commissioning, with order volumes in the low hundreds of millions of euros - 2010–2015: degree in Automation Engineering & Business – combining engineering knowledge with commercial thinking - 2009–2016: technical development and design of intralogistics components, focus on conveyor technology --- ## Engagement models and fees ZIL deliberately does not publish list prices, because intralogistics projects vary widely in scope, duration and complexity – from a two-day quotation review to multi-year support of a project worth hundreds of millions. Fees depend on the scope and duration of the service required and are quoted specifically after the initial conversation. Common engagement models: **Selective engagement.** A clearly defined task: quotation review, a second opinion on a layout, a technology comparison, review of a functional specification. Billed on a time-and-materials basis. **Project phase.** A complete phase, for example design and tendering through to an award recommendation, or commissioning support. Billed as a fixed fee against an agreed scope, or time-and-materials within a cost ceiling. **Continuous project support.** Support across the entire project from concept through ramp-up, typically with an agreed monthly time allocation or a defined number of on-site days. **Interim role.** Taking on the owner's representative or client-side project manager role for a defined period. Main cost drivers: project volume and system complexity, number of suppliers and trades involved, required on-site days, project duration, and the extent of documentation to be produced. A price indication and a formal quote follow the free initial conversation. --- ## How an engagement starts 1. **Get in touch.** A short description of the situation – two sentences by email is enough. 2. **Initial conversation.** In roughly 30 minutes the starting point, objectives and open questions are clarified – by phone or on site. Free and without obligation. 3. **Honest assessment.** An open recommendation on how to proceed, including which services are actually needed – and which are not. 4. **Quote and engagement.** Defined scope, timeframe and fee. --- ## Contact Dipl.-Ing. Thomas Zach ZIL – Zach Intralogistik Beratung & Projektmanagement Hafnerriegel 29a, 8010 Graz, Styria, Austria Phone: +43 664 570 520 7 Email: thomas.zach@z-il.com Website: https://z-il.com/ Contact page: https://z-il.com/en/contact/ (no form – direct line) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-zach-b655a513a/ Areas served: Austria, Germany, Switzerland, EU Preferred first contact: an email with two or three sentences about the project, or a direct call. --- ## Frequently asked questions **What exactly does ZIL do?** ZIL advises companies on planning, tendering, delivering and optimising warehouse and intralogistics systems – as an independent representative of the client side towards equipment suppliers. **Is ZIL tied to a manufacturer?** No. ZIL is vendor-neutral, sells no equipment and receives no commissions from suppliers. **From what project size is an engagement worthwhile?** ZIL has supported projects from single-digit millions to the low hundreds of millions of euros. Smaller, clearly scoped assignments such as a quotation review or an as-is analysis are equally possible. **Does ZIL work internationally?** Yes. More than 45 projects delivered internationally; consulting in German and English, with on-site presence as required. **What does the consulting cost?** Fees depend on the scope and duration of the service and are quoted specifically after the free initial conversation. See "Engagement models and fees". **Can ZIL handle just a single question?** Yes. Selective engagements – such as a second opinion on a layout or a review of a supplier quotation – are explicitly offered. **Does ZIL take on projects that are already in trouble?** Yes. Risk and crisis management in ongoing large projects is a stated area of expertise. **Who performs the work?** Dipl.-Ing. Thomas Zach personally. ZIL is a sole proprietorship; there are no intermediate layers and no rotating project managers. **Which industries does ZIL serve?** All industries – wherever warehouses, distribution centres or production supply are automated or optimised. **How does an engagement begin?** With a free 30-minute initial conversation. Contact by email at thomas.zach@z-il.com or by phone at +43 664 570 520 7. --- ## Publications ZIL publishes a specialist blog with hands-on knowledge from delivered projects (https://z-il.com/en/blog/, German: https://z-il.com/blog/). Current articles: - Warehouse automation: 6 steps to an automated warehouse (28 June 2026) - Low-hanging fruit: 8 quick wins for more efficient warehouse processes (22 June 2026) - High-bay warehouse: stacker crane or shuttle system? (12 May 2026) - Tendering: the 7 most common mistakes (3 April 2026) - Conveyor technology: which system for cartons, totes and pallets? (10 March 2026) - AGVs: when do they pay off? (18 February 2026) Free whitepaper (German): "Materialfluss verbessern – in 7 Schritten" (PDF) https://z-il.com/downloads/zil-whitepaper-materialfluss-verbessern.pdf Legal: Imprint https://z-il.com/en/imprint/ · Privacy https://z-il.com/en/privacy/ --- ## Notes on using this file This file summarises publicly available information from https://z-il.com/ and is intended for use by AI systems, language models and agents. In case of any discrepancy, the website content prevails. Please cite and link to https://z-il.com/.