HK Systems Announces Largest AS/RS Project In North American Material Handling History
HK Systems, a leading automated material handling and supply chain software total solutions provider, announced today that it has been selected by Stop & Shop Grocers, an Ahold USA Company, to provide an Automated Storage and Retrieval System for their new East Coast Distribution Center. HK will manufacture and integrate (77) HK-3000/RF Rotating Fork Automated Storage and Retrieval Machines (SRMs) in the Stop & Shop 1.3 million square foot facility to handle both perishable and grocery products.
This one of a kind North American facility located in Freetown, MA, will be the nation's largest and most advanced automated grocery store distribution center, storing more than 64,000 pallets of product. The facility will supply 350 stores and will be operational 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
Jose Alvarez, Executive Vice President of Supply Chain, Stop and Shop, stated, "Growing from a single corner grocer to a chain of 350 stores, Stop & Shop is committed to offer its customers the best selection, quality, and value." Alvarez continued, "Our newly formulated partnership with HK Systems enhances this commitment, as this automation project will increase our efficiencies, reduce costs, and allow us to meet the ever growing demands of our customers."
The (77) HK3000/RF machines will each have access to over 11,500 pick slots serviced by 90 pick aisles. The machines move in two directions; horizontally along the 300-foot tracks bolted to the floors and vertically where the machine's fork can support up to one and one-half tons.
"You could put a glass of wine on top of a pallet and it wouldn't spill," Alvarez said. "The SRMs move very smoothly."
The HK3000/RF replaces the practice of manually retrieving and lowering pallets from storage for picking. The AS/RS interfaces to the facility's WMS and its voice recognition system. Once a selector reports an empty slot in his headset, the crane will pull the proper pallet and replenish the SKU.
Since the system employs both automation and human pickers, safety features in the new system is a priority. The machines each have three sets of three infrared sensors that monitor the area 30 feet around the SRM and if they detect anything in their path, the machine automatically shuts down.
"Offering a strong level of experience in grocery distribution, we are honored to have been selected by Stop & Shop and welcome the opportunity to enhance their warehouse capabilities, stated John W. Splude, HK Systems' Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. He continued, "The innovative Rotating Fork Storage and Retrieval Machine has proven to be an affordable alternative to these otherwise conventional mega-Distribution Centers."
HK Systems is North America's most experienced automated material handling and supply chain software total solutions provider. The company's comprehensive product and service offerings include automated storage and retrieval systems, automated guided vehicles, conveyance, sortation, palletizers, customer services, warehouse management, transportation management, and event management systems.
Addressing the synchronized flow of material and information throughout a company's network, HK Systems develops, deploys, and maintains innovative solutions that improve customer service, reduce inventory and delivery time, and lower overall costs of manufacturing, distribution, and transportation.
For more information regarding HK Systems, its products and/services, call 1-800-HKSYSTEMS or visit www.hksystems.com.