Coles unveils first-of-its-kind automated distribution centre

Coles, a leading supermarket giant, has recently inaugurated Australia’s pioneering automated distribution centre, aiming to enhance stocking efficiency and offer more affordable groceries. 

The high-tech facility eliminates the need for manual labour in packing and sorting products. Kevin Gunn, responsible for operations at Coles’ state-of-the-art Brisbane facility, said that the automation reduces the physical strain on warehouse staff.

“The automation takes care of much of the manual lifting that was previously done at our existing sites. This facility will save over 18 million kilograms of lifting every week,” he said. 

Standing 35 meters tall, the colossal warehouse houses a vast array of supermarket essentials destined for over 200 Coles stores across Queensland and New South Wales. With a size exceeding that of the MCG playing field, the Redbank distribution centre ranks as Australia’s largest of its kind and one of the world’s most expansive. 

The introduction of this automated facility is set to significantly improve product delivery to customers. Coles anticipates enhanced shelf availability and believes it will contribute to keeping prices competitive at the checkout. 

“In automation, we’re more accurate in products we pick, we have fewer damages, we’re able to build the pallets better,” Gunn said. 

Check out: How supply chain leaders are shaping purpose-driven organisations

The inventory manager at the facility plays a crucial role in collating comprehensive data for each product received. This data empowers the automation system to swiftly take over, expediting the process from the warehouse to customers’ homes. 

“The system possesses knowledge of each product’s weight, dimensions, and crushability,” Gunn explained. 

Although the automation system may appear intricate, its underlying mechanism is straightforward. Cartons of items are placed on trays that move along a conveyor belt. A sophisticated sorting and packing system then determines the optimal stacking configuration for each grocery store’s order on pallets. When supermarkets require restocking, the pallets are promptly dispatched to the respective stores. 

The Redbank facility represents the first of four planned automation centres for Coles. The company intends to establish a similar warehouse in Sydney next year, followed by two customer fulfilment centres in collaboration with Ocado, a renowned technology company specializing in online grocery retail. 

Coles’ investment in automated distribution centres heralds a new era in supermarket operations, where cutting-edge technology and robotics work harmoniously to streamline processes, enhance efficiency and ultimately elevate the shopping experience for customers across Australia.