Dematic Powers the Future of Commerce with Launch of Micro-Fulfilment Solution, first system for Meijer

“We’re driven to make shopping at Meijer easy and convenient, so micro-fulfilment is another way our company is leaning into the future of retail. This micro-fulfilment technology will allow us to maximise space in our stores, help us expand our online shopping options and ultimately keep pace with consumer demand for personalized shopping solutions that puts their shopping preferences first.”

Sid Handa, Director of Strategic Supply Chain Initiatives for Meijer

Logistics automation innovator Dematic has launched its micro-fulfilment solution, designed to help retailers across industries address increased consumer demand for rapid online order fulfilment in a small footprint. The Dematic solution empowers customers with high throughput requirements to maximise space and achieve profitability with e-commerce ordering, ultimately, advancing their omni-channel distribution strategy to give customers what they want when they want it with one-hour fulfilment.

Dematic’s micro-fulfilment solution implements a compact, automated goods-to-person shuttle system within a section of a retail store, dark store or urban fulfilment centre, in an area as small as 1,000 square metres. Automation enables the retailer to pick and process orders approximately ten times faster than the manual in-store method. Inventory information is available in real time and accuracy is near perfect, which results in satisfied customers who can pick up their order within one hour of placement. Orders can also be transferred to other stores or delivered directly to the consumer.

Dematic Micro-Fulfilment Advantage:

• Rapid picking and processing of orders: one-hour fulfillment
• Installation in as little as 12 weeks
• Configuration into footprints as small as 1,000 sqm
• Industry standard-setting technology: Dematic Multishuttle and Goods-to-Person picking solutions
• Cold zone environment capabilities
• A global footprint that enables implementation at scale
• Unmatched 24x7x365 local customer service

The Dematic Micro-Fulfilment Difference

Integrating the power of intelligent automation and human expertise, the Dematic Micro-Fulfilment solution is a combination of automated technology and proprietary Dematic iQ software. The software provides seamless integration with inventory management, warehouse and ERP systems so that all stores, distribution centres and corporate offices are networked on the same platform.

With the ability build and install in as quick as 12 weeks, the Dematic Micro-Fulfilment solution is designed to be implemented close to the end consumer and is configured to fit into small footprints – in the back of a retail store, in a nearby dark store or urban fulfilment centre. Such close proximity enables retailers to better utilise and maximise space, making one-hour fulfillment possible while increasing profitability.

Dematic’s Micro-Fulfilment solution leverages proven technology like the Dematic Multishuttle and Goods-to-Person Picking solutions that have set industry standards for decades. Additional features that differentiate the Dematic Micro-Fulfilment solution from existing offerings include:

• Cold zone environment capabilities with ambient, chilled and frozen temperature zones
• A regional and global footprint that enables implementation at scale, making it possible for customers to install multiple micro-fulfilment solutions at once, at locations worldwide and across Asia
• Unmatched 24x7x365 customer service with local operations in over 25 countries, supporting scale at speed

“Dematic has been leading intralogistics innovation and invention for 200 years. We’ve helped automate some of the world’s biggest distribution centres, and now we have a creative solution that truly optimises the smaller footprints found in the backs of retail stores — our expertise in automation and our scale gives us a real advantage. The global effort to bring a Dematic Micro-Fulfilment solution to life in less than six months is proof of that,” said Hasan Dandashly, CEO, Dematic. “Micro-fulfilment is a demonstration of our mission to power the future of commerce, and we aim to set a new standard for order fulfilment, together with our customers.”

Leading U.S. Grocer Inks Deal for Immediate Installation

Dematic has a customer installation already in progress with Meijer, a leading U.S. retailer credited with pioneering the modern supercentre concept.

Grocery Is Just the Beginning

Dematic’s highly configurable system can accommodate the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) capacity and order volume required by today’s grocers and wholesalers, but it also has application for apparel, auto parts, consumer electronics, sporting goods, industrial supplies and department stores that are re-purposing retail store space.

The Dematic Micro-Fulfilment solution addresses supply chain and distribution challenges now inherent to grocers as well as retailers of all sizes and across markets. This includes:

• Anchoring online and in-store fulfilment from the back of a retail store — creating a true backroom — or from nearby urban fulfilment centres and dark stores, all in much closer proximity to consumers than remote distribution centres.
• Optimising omni-channel distribution by more effectively using existing real estate for online order assembly, allowing retail consumers to pick up online orders at the closest retail store or service centre, or receive it using a delivery service to their home.

The Dematic Micro-Fulfilment solution is now available to customers worldwide. Follow along with Dematic micro-fulfilment news and developments on the Dematic blog, as well as on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.