Japan-based Fast Retailing Co. Ltd. has recently announced to invest 100 billion yen (US $ 885 million) to automate its warehouse and distribution system. The parent company of renowned apparel retail brand Uniqlo will expand its collaboration with a logistics firm Daifuku to bring in automation in its Ariake distribution centre in Tokyo.
The proposed automation will assist Fast Retailing to cut manpower by 90 per cent as well as a cut down on inventory management cost and reduced delivery time to customers in its Ariake centre which was opened for commercial use in 2016.
“We will carefully evaluate the current status of distribution, and develop innovative and revolutionary logistics system in order to deliver products to customers faster. We want to introduce automated warehouses around the world as soon as possible,” expressed Tadashi Yanai, Chief Executive, Fast Retailing.
According to the company, the need for automation was certainly there as, of late, it has been struggling with some inefficiencies at distribution centre.
Moreover, apart from Ariake facility, Fast Retailing also has plans to form a special team comprising of staff from both firms who will plan, implement, and maintain the fully automated Fast Retailing Group branded warehouses in Japan and overseas.
It may be noted here that Daifuku is a leading Japanese material handing company which helps firms handle and sort products. Daifuku employs more than 7,500 employees worldwide.
