Providence, Rhode Island-based United Natural Foods plans to put in an AI-powered robotic automation system at its Manchester, Pennsylvania, distribution heart scheduled to open this summer season.
Manufactured by Symbotic, this method is UNFI’s second set up and is a part of the corporate’s objective to additional improve the effectiveness and effectivity of its distribution heart community. The first AI automation system is at present being deployed at his UNFI distribution heart in Centralia, Washington, and is on monitor to be operational within the first half of 2024.
Some of the advantages that UNFI expects from the system embrace growing throughput inside the facility and lowering the general value of processing orders.
The Manchester distribution heart will occupy 1.3 million sq. toes and an AI robotic automation system will present robotic case-picking capabilities within the dry grocery retailer space, enhancing order accuracy and automating the meeting of purchaser order pallets. .
The new expertise is anticipated to be totally operational by spring 2025 and is a part of UNFI’s multi-year transformation plan to enhance the pick-up and replenishment expertise for customers when orders are delivered in-store. It is an object.
“Automating our main distribution facilities, equivalent to our new services in Centralia and Manchester, will enhance order accuracy and enhance the general buyer expertise whereas lowering working prices,” stated Erin Horvath, chief working officer at UNFI. It can be lowered.” “Symbotic has been an excellent companion and we’re delighted that the Centralia implementation has been accomplished on schedule and we will start implementing our subsequent automation system in Manchester.”