Picnic is having its planned distribution centre in Utrecht automated by material handling specialist TGW. In three different temperature zones, the online supermarket deploys TGW's Flashpick system. A shuttle system with more than 200,000 storage locations forms the heart of the solution.
Picnic opened an accelerated distribution centre in Apeldoorn just last week. Meanwhile, the online supermarket is busy with its next project: a fully robotised distribution centre in Utrecht. The building will have a floor area of 40,000 square metres and should provide groceries to more than 150,000 families every week.
Shuttle system
The automation design at the DC comes from system integrator TGW, which previously worked for Adidas and Zalando. At the heart of the design is the shuttle system that can track and load more than 200,000 storage locations in almost 40 aisles. The system features a KingDrive conveyor system and a large number of PickCenter One workstations.
Demanding project
The fulfilment centre is divided into three term temperature zones: ambient, chilled and frozen. This made the planning and realisation of the project "particularly demanding", according to TGW.
Most of the goods received are stored in the shuttle. Customer orders start either in the Zone-Picking area or at one of the PickCenter One workstations. The orders are then stored in the shuttle for consolidation. The new solution significantly reduces food waste and packaging materials, according to Picnic and TGW. To further improve ergonomics, Picnic and TGW Robotics are developing a robotic loading platform system for Picnic delivery frames.
Farm-to-fork
Picnic co-founder Frederik Nieuwenhuys says: "The robotised centre in Utrecht, together with our electric cars, forms the basis of our unique 'farm to fork' strategy, using patented Picnic technology to deliver ultra-fresh products and groceries to customers' homes free of charge. Partnering with TGW as a world leader in automated fulfilment solutions brings together two teams with extensive knowledge of the latest technology and software."
