Fresh produce automation
Supermarket EDEKA is automating fresh produce logistics in the fruit and vegetable sector at top of its German DCs with an intralogistics solution from Cimcorp.
Quality and freshness are critical for customers when buying groceries in-store. This means that speed and accuracy in picking are crucial for product quality. The aim is to modernise two of the existing logistics centres – Lauenau and Freienbrink – with minimal disruption to daily operations and without risking food safety. These two logistics centres will supply fresh fruit and vegetables to more than 1,000 stores every day.
In Lauenau, the automation will be installed in the existing logistics centre, which has been fully operational since 2014. The volume is higher in Freienbrink, so a total of three fresh food modules will be installed there. The modular structure speeds up the installation: once the first fresh food solution is in operation, the next two will be installed.
EDEKA Minden-Hannover logistics manager Arnd Wilde adds: “In Cimcorp, we have found a partner who can provide us with a solution for fully automated order picking of ergonomically packed fruit and vegetable pallets that meet the requirements of our markets – quickly, reliably and cost-effectively. This automation does not mean that jobs are lost; we need our full team to continue to provide the desired logistics service for our salespeople in the future.”
For more information, visit www.cimcorp.com
