Kiabi, an apparel manufacturer based in northern France, has selected US-based automated solutions provider Dematic to provide it with a fully automated picking system.
Dematic designs and build automated solutions for organisations in the manufacturing, warehousing and distribution industries.
The contract requires Dematic to install a system initially consisting of ’12 multi-shuttle lanes equipped with ergonomic goods-to-person (GTP) stations and a cutting-edge handling system’ in one of Kiabi’s facilities.
The site is in the French town of Lauwin-Planque and covers over 215,000ft² (19,974m²). Dematic will use its technology to supplement the existing system of automation installed by Manhattan Associates when the warehouse opened in 2009.
Alain Bussod, president of Dematic France, believes this is an opportunity for the company to demonstrate its ability to “integrate and interface with tools already in place on the retailer’s logistics flagship”.
Marine Pomart, supply chain director at Kiabi, believes the new system will have a significant impact on supply chain efficiency and said: “This new installation means that we can increase our preparation and distribution capacities five-fold for our web and local collections in Northern Europe.”
Work on the new omni-channel order preparation unit will reportedly begin immediately and is set to be completed in 2024.
