The S Group, Finland’s ‘largest network of grocery retailers’, has partnered with Swisslog to build a new, highly automated e-commerce warehouse in Vantaa, just north of Helsinki.
The decision to implement the automated solution comes as the retailer prepares to meet a rapidly growing e-commerce demand for groceries in the Helsinki area.
A centralised fulfillment centre (CFC) will be set up in an existing building, which will be equipped with two AutoStore grids for room-temperature and chilled goods. In total, there will be 110 AutoStore robots, which will double HOK-Elanto’s current delivery capacity. HOK-Elanto represents the S Group’s operation in and around Helsinki and is the largest regional cooperative store of the group.
“In 2021, we launched a wide-ranging procurement exercise involving several potential partners. In the end, we chose Swisslog because they offered the best overall solution, maintenance, and service,” said its Development Director for e-commerce and digital services, Jukka Ranua.
One of the key benefits of the AutoStore system is its ability to be designed around existing buildings and structures, saving space by increasing storage density. It uses robots and bins to stack products and quickly process small parts orders. Over time, the system naturally learns which products have a higher rotation, storing them on the top layer to ensure faster picking times.
The installation of the 12,000-square-metre warehouse will start in June 2023 and the facility will become operational in 2024. Despite the high level of automation, the facility is expected to employ close to 200 people.
“We are proud to have been trusted by HOK-Elanto to deliver this important future initiative for their fast-growing e-commerce business. The project is our largest to date in Finland, which further strengthens our position in the market,” said Tero Mäki, Sales Manager at Swisslog.
