Coles has opened a second world-class automated customer fulfillment centre (CFC) at Wetherill Park in NSW.
Located 40 kilometres west of Sydney’s CBD, its launch is part of a $400 million partnership with Ocado, and once operational will deliver an enhanced shopping experience for online customers, with Coles stating there will be better availability of products, less substitutions, an increased range, and improvements on the shelf-life of staples like mince and milk.
Leah Weckert, CEO of Coes said the launch comes just in time for the busiest trading period – Christmas.
“Today’s launch marks a significant transformation of our online grocery delivery service for New South Wales. Across Victoria and New South Wales, we have already delivered more than 120,000 orders, the equivalent of 5.5 million products, with our customers getting near perfect orders with zero substitutions. This is an incredible result for our customers, and a testament to the world-class Ocado technology.”
The CFC will use cutting-edge Ocado technology, utilising artificial intelligence, advanced robotics and automation to transform the way Coles Online orders are picked, packed and delivered.
It will feature a centralised hub, known as ‘The Hive’, where over 700 bots will fulfill a customer order containing 50 items in just five minutes, while an artificial intelligence ‘air traffic’ control system will oversee the bots as they move around giant 3D grids, transporting containers of grocery items to be packed and delivered by Coles team members.
Tim Steiner, CEO of Ocado Group, said he was thrilled to be a part of the step-change for Coles customers with the opening of the Wetherill Park CFC.
“It’s a great moment for Ocado as we celebrate the opening of this second CFC here in Australia with Coles. This is one of the fastest growing markets in the world for grocery ecommerce, and Coles is already a market leader in the online channel.”
The CFC will also employ more than 1,000 team members, including drivers and fulfillment roles that will use high-tech packing equipment.
There will also be a fleet of around 200 home delivery vans, with delivery times also improved through the use of Ocado technology giving Coles the ability to calculate the most efficient routes based on real-time conditions and tonnage of the home delivery vans.
James Graham, Chairman of Coles Group, said the opening of the second CFC is the result of a five-year partnership with Ocado.
“With the recent opening of our two automated distribution centres in Kemps Creek and in Redbank, Queensland, alongside our two Ocado CFC’s – the first in Victoria last month, and now here in Western Sydney today – we have made significant strides in using world-class technology to enhance our supply chain.”
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