Kerry Logistics Network Limited, a leading logistics service provider in Asia, has introduced six fully automated and programmed robotic butlers at its flagship facility PC3 in Hong Kong to meet the ever-growing consumer demands in online shopping. Kerry Logistics is one of the fi rst 3PLs in Asia to adopt robotic butlers in its operations to enhance fulfi llment effi ciency and accuracy.
Today, speed-to market order fulfi llment is the key to success in the retail industry, noted Kerry. Th e process of picking products is at the heart of e-commerce operations where high volumes of small and irregular orders predominate. Kerry Logistics’ robotic butlers are being deployed in the order fulfillment centre where sales orders taken from retailers or e-commerce marketplaces are being processed. Real time sales orders are transmitted to the robotic butlers via Kerry Logistics’ proprietary warehouse management system (WMS). Designated shelves are then picked and delivered to the pick station. Th e system indicates the right items to be picked for shipments using a simple lighting system in which every item is tracked via barcodes.
Currently, the robotic butlers operate 24/7 and can pick 280 items per hour compared to 50 items in the normal course and the pick rate is four times faster. Th is solution is ideal for retail brands which sell a wide variety of consumer products with potentially expanding e-commerce business.
Th e solution seamlessly incorporates robotic butlers, WMS, Pick-to-Light and Android-based EPOD to provide comprehensive order fulfillment for modern B2B2C and B2C businesses. It has been proven to successfully enhance and strengthen the overall effi ciency of supply chain management and logistics operations. The introduction of the robotic fulfi llment solution is part of Kerry Logistics’ core values to create real value for its clients through innovative solutions and continuous improvement.
As Kerry’s business grows and volumes increase, the ability to effi ciently manage capacity becomes paramount and automation will play a crucial role in enhancing the overall supply chain efficiency and delivering customer satisfaction, Kerry said.
