Client

The Woolworths Supermarket Group is Australia's largest food retailer with a market share of about 30%. The company has more than 1 500 supermarkets and food stores throughout the country.

Challenge

The existing distribution centers had reached their capacity limits, hindering Woolworths' expansion. For this reason the handling of the fast moving dry and non-food articles has been concentrated in two distribution centers serving the Sydney and Melbourne areas. The uniform handling requirements of these articles allowed for an optimum use of automated handling equipment. The existing warehouses benefited from a load reduction and product concentration thus playing an important role in the fast growth of Woolworths. The two fast-mover distribution centers played an important role in the following acquisition and integration of Franklins.

Solution

Swisslog has delivered two identical distribution centers. One serving the Sydney, the other the Melbourne area. The distribution centers consist of:

• Goods receiving area for the identification and checking of goods
• Bulk storage high-bay warehouse
• Crossdock (transhipment) and flowthru area
• Automated replenishment to picking area
• Pick-to-belt module for pick-to-light picking
• Automated order picking module with robotic picking
• Hig-speed sortation and despatch facilities
• Warehouse management system with material flow control and connection to the Woolworths ERP system.

Benefits

• A well balanced mix between manual and automated activities
• Application of the latest technology in material handling
• Provision of the necessary flexibility to operate in this dynamic environment
• Reduced overall stock levels