Property & Build: August - September 2021

Page 61

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he white paper on micro-fulfillment centers (MFCs) focuses on how to utilise automation to maximise efficiency and profitability. Automated MFCs allow companies with or without a brick-and-mortar footprint within a particular area to move fulfillment closer to customers in order to reduce transportation costs and enable shorter delivery times, benefitting both retailer (or Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) producer), and customer. Companies can build a micro-fulfillment center as a standalone facility, or inside or bolted on to an existing location, to expand fulfillment capacity. MFCs can support customer curb-side pick-up, too, or a hybrid of pick-up and delivery. Swisslog’s White Paper talks about the rise of MFCs (which are expected to grow sixfold in 2021), how Covid-19 further accelerated MFC growth, as well as challenges to this growth. The white paper then goes on to discuss how to synergise online and storefront using MFCs, and the future of MFCs. “MFCs have experienced huge year-on-year growth in the past three years, and they are expected to grow further in 2021, and in the years ahead,” says Sean Ryan, Head of Sales and Consulting, Swisslog Australia. “The rise of MFCs can be attributed to a range of factors, including the fact that they benefit both the consumer and the retailer. “Consumers are rewarded with increased choice, shorter delivery times and efficient curb-side pickup options. Grocers and retailers are able to utilise a more efficient order fulfillment method – one that reduces

Winning the last mile in the supply chain race New Swisslog white paper discusses how microfulfillment can synergise online and storefront labor and transport costs, avoids clogging retail stores with pickers, and supports higher order demand levels,” says Ryan. MFCs are a relatively new retailing strategy, so to maximise return on investment, it is important to partner with an experienced automation provider – ideally one that already has extensive experience with other models such as Dark Stores and Central Fulfillment Centres (CFCs). An automation partner will not only have knowledge from other projects, but they will have existing software with required functionality, and they will know the intricacies of

handling delicate products or the requirements of cold storage, for example. With more than 2,000 warehousing and logistics automation projects completed worldwide, Swisslog has fundamental knowledge in food and beverage, e-commerce and retail, It has the ability to deliver logistics automation for the whole supply chain network within these industries, starting with large CFC and moving through Dark Store, down to MFC. In addition to experience with automation equipment,

it is important to choose an automation partner with experience in software. The software drives the solution, keeps track of data, and analyses that data to further improve processes in the future. Swisslog’s modular WMS SynQ software provides warehouse management, material flow, automation and 3D visualization all from a single point of control. It has been designed for dynamic, data-driven supply chains, such as those found in retail and e-grocery industries.

ruby.wannous@swisslog.com | www.swisslog.com infrastructurenews.co.nz 61

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Infrastructure Skills Centre offers “work experience for a lifetime”

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pages 102-103

Chemical safety relies on meaningful cooperation

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pages 104-106

Is standardised training the way forward?

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page 99

Safety app a crucial element in building site safety

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Industry leader in soft fall protection on construction sites

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Cordless machines and safer technologies will save lives

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Safety focus on crane service standards

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Unlearning misguided muscle training keeps you pain free at home and work

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Tips and myths around dogs

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pages 88-89

Bastion NZ launch Industrial glove range

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What is workplace harassment and how to prevent it

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pages 82-83

Scholarships supporting tomorrow’s health and safety leaders

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pages 80-81

No better investment than chemical safety training

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page 73

Thermal recycling - part of the solution not part of the problem

11min
pages 56-59

AC Filter - an engineered solution protecting worker health

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page 67

Wood waste to take aluminium's place in food packaging

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page 60

Winning the last mile in the supply chain race

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page 61

Bold action needed to stop water infrastructure’s downward spiral

15min
pages 62-66

Can a vaccine for cattle help the dairy sector cut methane emissions?

6min
pages 52-53

How to become a successful green business

5min
pages 54-55

The consequences of banning oil and gas exploration

4min
pages 50-51

Is hydrogen the future of energy?

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pages 48-49

Schneider: data centres and smart homes

6min
pages 45-47

Further mortgage restrictions coming as house price growth continues

7min
pages 30-36

Climate change kicks into gear

3min
page 37

The three paths to net-zero

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pages 42-44

Is this the turning point of New Zealand’s property market?

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pages 28-29

Property investor confidence hits record highs

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pages 24-27

Facilities management with personal service

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pages 10-11

China builds 10-storey tower in a day

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Kiwi innovation leading the way in concrete slab insulation

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page 23

Will the reformed RMA actually help deliver more housing?

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pages 16-18

Residential construction reforms save time and improve quality control

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Preventing collapsing structures

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Australia to slash planning times by 25 percent

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Are we forgetting national self-sufficiency?

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