Wincanton deploys hi-tech automation solution

VersaTile is a system of moving tiles to quickly bring goods to pickers within a warehouse.

Wincanton’s Northampton shared user facility is the first to benefit from the technology and should facilitate order picking within minutes and deliver efficiency and productivity benefits.

It said it had invested in the system to make customers’ fulfilment operations “more agile”. It comes after research found more than eight in 10 (83%) of UK retailers expect order volume growth over the next three years, but nearly nine in ten (89%) think increased orders will negatively impact their ability to successfully fulfil customer orders.

Paul Durkin, Wincanton chief customer and innovation officer, said: “Wincanton is accelerating the adoption of cutting-edge technology for the benefit of its customers and our exciting investment in this innovative tote-to-person picking solution from Versatile Automation will transform productivity and efficiency in our shared user e-fulfilment operations.”

Joni Rautavuori, Versatile Automation chief executive, added: “Supply chains are under tremendous pressure to meet ever changing customer demands for shorter delivery times, higher flexibility, and lower cost in a sustainable manner. VersaTile’s solution uses advanced technology to address these very challenges.”