German Retailer Edeka Deploys Automated Picking System
German retailer Edeka has equipped its new distribution center with an automated picking system. The deployment reflects the continued momentum of warehouse robotics as large enterprises move to implement fully autonomous fulfillment solutions to improve supply chain efficiency.
- The new Edeka distribution center in Oberhausen, a 90,000-square-meter facility, will supply around 800 stores in the Rhine-Ruhr region. It is designed to handle 16,000 different product lines across various temperature zones and will be served by over 400 trucks daily. - For its fresh produce logistics in the Oberhausen center, Edeka is partnering with the Finnish company Cimcorp. The system uses gantry robots and modular automation to handle items in different temperature zones, such as +7°C for cheese and +12°C for fruits and vegetables. - In other facilities, like the one in Marktredwitz set to open in mid-2024, Edeka is deploying solutions from German automation specialist WITRON Logistik + Informatik. This 100,000-square-meter DC will have a peak picking performance of 583,000 cases per day and supply 900 stores. - The WITRON solution includes their Order Picking Machinery (OPM) system with 18 Case Order Machines (COMs), which fully automate the picking and palletizing of cases. This technology is at the core of WITRON's offering and has been a key product for them for over two decades. - Edeka's automation strategy involves multiple specialized partners for different needs within their logistics network. For instance, at a facility in Lüttow-Valluhn, they utilize a tailored automation solution from KNAPP for their meat and sausage products, which handles 2,500 different items. - This move is part of a broader trend in the grocery industry to automate fulfillment centers to cope with the surge in e-commerce, with the global e-grocery market projected to reach nearly $115 billion by 2026. - The implementation of such robotic systems is intended to improve ergonomics by having robots handle heavy and repetitive tasks, which can reduce physical strain on employees. Edeka has stated that this automation will not result in layoffs. - The push for automation in grocery logistics is driven by the need for speed and accuracy, especially for perishable goods. Modern automated systems can combine buffer storage and order picking into a single seamless process, significantly reducing the time products spend in the warehouse.
