METRO Inc., a leading food retailer in Canada with over C$12 billion in annual sales and over 65,000 employees, has announced it is to avail of the storage and picking systems provided by general contractor WITRON Logistik + Informatik GmbH, from Parkstein, Germany.
These systems will be implemented in the group’s new distribution centre in Toronto, Canada.
Starting in 2021, the distribution centre will supply more than 250 stores in the province of Ontario from an assortment of 3,600 different frozen products.
Expansion
“This investment will enable METRO to continue its growth and expansion in the Ontario market”, says Eric La Flèche, President and CEO of METRO. “With a new and modernised supply chain infrastructure, we will be even more responsive to the needs of our customers”.
Thanks to the automated logistics systems, OPM (Order Picking Machinery) - including its nine Automated Palletizers called COMs (Case Order Machines) machines - and CPS (Car Picking System), WITRON is able to pick up to 112,700 cases, as well as more than 100 full pallets for shipment to METRO stores on a peak day.
This process takes place in an error-free and a store-friendly manner.
The distribution centre also includes a five-aisle high bay warehouse with 12,500 pallet locations and an AS/RS with 118,800 tray locations. Innovative conveyor system elements as well as 18 high-speed stacker cranes.
These have been developed and manufactured by WITRON’s subsidiary, FAS, ensuring maximum availability even at an ambient temperature of -28 degrees C / -18 Fahrenheit.
State Of The Art
“The new distribution centre will feature state-of-the-art technology which will enhance our efficiency as well as allow us to improve service to our store network and customers,” says Carmen Fortino, Executive Vice President and METRO Ontario Division Head.
As a general contractor, WITRON is responsible for the entire design and realisation of all IT, control engineering, and mechanical components.
In addition, system service and maintenance are provided by WITRON, which provides service and technical support by means of an on-site team.
For more information, visit www.witron.de
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