COLUMAT NEWS

The article describes the launch of an automated smart locker system by Manacor Hospital for dispensing medication to outpatients. The main goal is to improve access to hospital pharmacy services by reducing waiting times and avoiding unnecessary in-person visits. The system includes 39 automated compartments, 14 of which are refrigerated to ensure proper storage conditions for certain medicines. Patients can collect their prescriptions independently using a code, health card, or QR system, ensuring fast, secure, and traceable access.

The article explores the rapid expansion of parcel pickup points as a key element of modern urban logistics. Driven by the growth of e-commerce, the “out of home” delivery model is increasingly replacing traditional home delivery, with parcels being collected at local shops, gyms, hardware stores, and smart lockers. The report highlights how even unconventional spaces such as fitness centers are becoming pickup locations, allowing them to attract new customers and generate additional income. It also emphasizes the role of smart lockers as a more flexible and efficient alternative, enabling 24/7 parcel collection while helping reduce urban traffic and environmental impact from last-mile deliveries.

In this opinion article, Albert Bladas argues that smart lockers should no longer be viewed as just another delivery option, but as critical urban logistics infrastructure. The article explains that the future winners of last-mile delivery will be the companies that secure the most strategic locker locations today, as high-convenience urban spaces are limited and increasingly competitive. Drawing on the development of locker networks in Poland, the United Kingdom, and France, the author suggests that Spain is approaching a major Out-of-Home (OOH) delivery expansion phase, and that operators with dense, well-positioned locker networks will be best placed to dominate last-mile logistics by 2030.

The article announces the public release of the first comprehensive study of the collective catering sector in Catalonia, developed by Restauración Colectiva and consulting firm Univer. The report examines nearly 3,000 facilities, more than 300,000 users, and an estimated economic volume of €650 million, providing an in-depth overview of the market structure, management models, and future challenges facing the industry. The study aims to serve as a key reference tool for businesses, public institutions, and industry professionals, highlighting the sector's significant social and economic impact.

The article highlights the rapid expansion of the European smart locker market, fueled by the rise of Out-of-Home (OOH) delivery solutions and the need to improve last-mile logistics efficiency. Within this context, Columat is presented as a leading Spanish company providing a complete ecosystem of smart lockers, management software, and operational services for retailers and logistics operators. Headquartered in Barcelona, the company currently operates across several European countries and aims to capitalize on a market projected to surpass $7 billion in the coming years, driven by e-commerce growth, lower failed delivery rates, and increasing urban sustainability requirements.

Experts gathered at an event organized by the Spanish Logistics Centre (CEL) in Valencia discussed urban microhubs as a last-mile solution for e-commerce. The main conclusion is that these logistics hubs increase costs by 30% when operated individually, meaning profitability is only achievable through collaborative models. Small and medium-sized businesses, with their limited infrastructure, face particular difficulty in absorbing these costs.

The Pharmacy Department of the Puerta de Hierro University Hospital in Majadahonda has launched a smart locker system to allow chronic patients to collect their medication autonomously, without the need to go through a service counter.

Spanish company Columat showcased at the HIP 2026 trade fair a smart locker system with temperature control and proprietary software, designed to automate food delivery in an autonomous, traceable, and round-the-clock manner. The solution aims to address key foodservice challenges: staff shortages, operational rigidity, and growing demands for efficiency and sustainability.

The article examines how collective catering is transitioning toward a flexible, continuous delivery model through the use of temperature-controlled smart lockers. This system eliminates queues and rigid distribution schedules, improves traceability, and adapts to environments such as offices, hospitals, and universities — enhancing the user experience and overall operational efficiency.

The company Columat showcased at the HIP trade fair its temperature-controlled smart lockers with proprietary software, a solution that enables autonomous food and beverage delivery 24 hours a day without the need for staff, applicable to corporate, healthcare, hotel, and food retail environments.

Last-mile logistics operator Paack has signed a strategic agreement with Columat, a technology company specializing in smart lockers, to roll out a network of intelligent parcel lockers across Spain and Portugal. Columat contributes its connected and automated locker ecosystem, while Paack integrates this solution to offer users greater flexibility when collecting their packages.

The piece describes how digitalizing the corporate mailroom —bringing traceability, automation and centralized control of documents and parcels— turns a traditional inefficient process into an agile, traceable and strategic internal logistics service.

On the final day of HIP 2026 in Madrid, the Horeca Professional Expo brought together thousands of industry professionals and featured interviews with business leaders including Columat’s Carmen Velasco.

The piece argues that rigid door-to-door delivery is no longer efficient or sustainable, and urban logistics is shifting toward smart lockers and intelligent delivery hubs that cut emissions, costs and operational friction.

The provincial and city councils sign a four-year agreement to boost digitalization and marketing of León products —including Columat Smart Locker networks, robotized logistics, market exhibition space and promotional activities.

The city council and provincial government sign a four-year agreement to boost logistics, smart locker networks and exhibition space at Mercado del Conde Luna, strengthening promotion and distribution of local food products.

IFMA Spain expands its network with Loxone, Nilfisk and Columat, welcoming Columat as a collaborating company to bring its connected smart locker solutions into the facility management knowledge and events ecosystem.

The article outlines how digitizing the management of critical tools and equipment (e.g., PDAs, scanners and smart lockers) reduces operational friction and boosts warehouse productivity.

Columat moves into new headquarters to gear up for international expansion in 2026, strengthening its multitemperature smart locker solutions for diversified product needs.

Real estate should shift from mere physical structures to service platforms: integrating technologies like smart lockers for 24/7 package and asset management enhances user experience and boosts property value as a premium amenity.

Ribeira Market installs a refrigerated smart locker enabling QR-based pickup of phone orders, offering a more flexible and modern shopping experience.

The article highlights three complementary solutions to enhance logistics: Columat’s smart lockers for internal logistics digitization, Scandit’s high-precision data capture, and TrueCold’s platform for maintaining cold chain continuity.

Columat concluded its participation at SIL Barcelona 2025 with a positive outcome, featuring its refrigerated smart locker, parcel and internal logistics solutions, four themed microevents and high-impact industry engagement.

At SIL 2025, Columat presented its updated temperature-controlled smart locker alongside parcel and internal logistics solutions, with interactive demonstrations for visitors.