Coles opened a new customer fulfillment centre (CFC) in Truganina on Friday, September 20.
The FCF will use artificial intelligence, robotics and automation to fulfil customer orders at the 87,000 square metre site.
The facility will hold an estimated three million units of stock and process 10,000 customer orders a day when running at full capacity, according to Coles.
A fleet of more than 700 bots, known as ‘The Hive’ will be able to fulfil 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 3D grids, transporting containers of grocery items to be packed and delivered on-site staff, according to Coles.
Coles chief executive Leah Weckert said the new technology will improve the metropolitan delivery process.
“This transition from a local, store-based fulfillment model to a central, world-class facility will enable us to better serve the greater Melbourne region, home to more than five million people.“
The CFC will employ more than 1000 team members, including drivers and fulfillment roles that will use high tech packing equipment, and will be accompanied by a fleet of more than 200 home delivery vans.
The CFC will join existing automated distribution centres in Kemps Creek, New South Wales, and Redbank, Queensland.
