Albert Heijn's long-awaited automated DC in Zaandam is a fact. In the 'distribution centre of the future', the supermarket chain realises a capacity improvement of 50 per cent.
Perishables
The distribution centre is intended for Albert Heijn's range of long-life products. Virtually the entire range of long-life products is processed here mechanically from receipt to loading.
Automation
The site has 8.4 kilometres of conveyor belt and counts 57 AGVs that drive independently through the marshalling area, while in the shuttle warehouse 260 shuttles drive to 137,000 different tray locations. The high-bay warehouse houses seven cranes that can store 8,800 pallets. Robots have also been considered: 28 robots stack goods in 14 robot cells.
XXL DC
Albert Heijn's premises cover an area of 43,600 square metres. This puts it in the XXL DC category. 400,000 products are processed here every day. The building has a storage capacity of 950,000 packaging units.
Sustainability: solar panels and demolition material
When it comes to sustainability, Albert Heijn took several measures. The roof houses 6,266 solar panels that generate energy for 410 households. Material from a demolished return centre was used for the new building. The gas-free heating uses heat pumps. For this, the supermarket will receive the sustainability certificate BREEAM-NL Excellent.
Albert Heijn will officially commission the distribution centre in early 2019.
