Terrebonne, Canada. September, 2025.

Planiform, the world leader in garment-handling automation and creator of revolutionary technologies such as GOH Hive AS/RS and the Carousel Pick Module, today announced the appointment of Wouter Loomans as Director Europe. This strategic hire marks Planiform's formal expansion into European markets, bringing innovative single-pick automation solutions to the region's fashion, apparel, and textile logistics operations.

Industry Veteran Joins Revolutionary Technology Leader 

Loomans brings over 20 years of specialized experience in intralogistics automation, having held senior commercial roles at leading European automation companies including VanRiet Material Handling Systems, Material Handling Systems Inc., and most recently Intellistore. Throughout his career, he has been instrumental in delivering countless automation projects across diverse industries, with particular expertise in warehouse distribution, e-commerce fulfillment, and fashion logistics. 

"Wouter's appointment represents a pivotal moment in Planiform's growth strategy," said Florin Naiche, Chief Revenue Officer of Planiform. "His deep understanding of European logistics challenges, combined with his network and his proven track record in automation sales and project delivery, make him the ideal leader to introduce our groundbreaking GOH technologies to the European markets." 

Addressing Critical European Logistics Challenges
The European fashion and apparel logistics sector faces unprecedented pressures: acute labor shortages, premium real estate costs, ageing technology and rapidly evolving e-commerce fulfillment demands. Traditional garment handling methods—relying on manual picking from static racking systems—are increasingly unsustainable in this environment. 

Planiform's GOH Hive directly addresses these challenges as the world's first single-pick AS/RS specifically designed for garments on hangers. The system enables: 

• Maximum space utilization with floor-to-ceiling storage requiring no expensive mezzanine construction 
• Labor optimization through 24/7 autonomous operation with minimal human intervention 

• Precision handling of unique SKUs essential for modern fashion retail operations 

• Scalable throughput accommodating operations from 50,000 to millions of garments
  
  

Innovative Technology, Global Impact
The GOH Hive’s ability to handle multiple hanger types, integrate with existing WMS platforms, and scale through modular robot additions makes it particularly suited to diverse European operational requirements. 
Key system capabilities include: 

• Forager and Bumblebee robots working in coordinated precision
• Proprietary Hive Mind software optimizing storage density and retrieval paths
• Static construction eliminating breakdown-prone conveyors and drive systems 
• WMS compatibility with RFID, barcode, and QR code integration 
• Seasonal scalability with rental robot options for peak periods
  
  

Strategic Market Focus
Under Loomans' leadership, Planiform will target key European market segments, including: 

• Circular Fashion: Second-hand clothing and rental service providers driving sustainability initiatives and embracing new consumer trends 
• Fashion Retailers: Major apparel and fashion brands seeking distribution center optimization 
• 3PL Providers: Logistics service providers handling fashion and textile goods 
• E-commerce Operations: Online fashion retailers requiring rapid fulfillment capabilities 
• Systems Integrators: Automation partners designing next-generation warehouse solutions 
  
  

"European fashion logistics is at a tipping point," said Loomans. "Companies need solutions that can handle the complexity of modern SKU variations while operating efficiently in expensive, constrained spaces. Planiform's portfolio of products represents exactly the breakthrough technology this market needs." 

"We're not just bringing technology to Europe—we're bringing a complete transformation in how the fashion industry thinks about garment logistics," added Loomans. "The combination of Planiform's innovative engineering and my understanding of European market dynamics creates tremendous opportunities for operational advancement." 

About Planiform

Planiform is a leading provider of automated garment handling solutions, specializing in Garment on Hanger (GOH) systems. With a focus on innovation and efficiency, Planiform offers customized solutions to optimize garment sorting, distribution, and storage processes for the fashion industry.