Company Shop Group Boosts Efficiency with Autonomous Robots and AI

Strategic Insights -

Company Shop Group, a surplus supermarket, has implemented autonomous robots and artificial intelligence in its Barnsley warehouse, achieving significant improvements in efficiency and inventory accuracy. The company partnered with Dexory, a real-time warehouse visibility and automation provider, to roll out the technology, which has reduced waste and increased productivity. A trial of the system saw 380 pallets of stock rediscovered and added back into the warehouse management system.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Company Shop Group partnered with Dexory to implement autonomous robots and AI in its Barnsley warehouse, achieving a "dramatically increased efficiency".
  • The Dexory solution improved inventory accuracy and product flow, reducing waste within the ambient warehouse operations.
  • A trial of the technology led to the rediscovery of 380 pallets of stock that were previously missing, misplaced, or not properly recorded.
  • The robots perform multiple autonomous scans per day, providing a real-time view of dispatch pallets and enabling operational teams to act quickly to resolve issues.
  • The project has freed up a significant amount of labour time for the Company Shop's stock control team.
  • The companies are exploring an expansion of the work across further Company Shop sites, with the group considering the partnership a "key pillar" in achieving its long-term goal of reducing waste.
  • Company Shop Group's operations director, Martin Upton, stated that the Dexory solution was the most effective and least disruptive option after reviewing several providers.
  • Oana Jinga, chief commercial & product officer and co-founder of Dexory, highlighted the partnership's success in enabling real-time data analysis and tangible operational and environmental impact.

Statistics:

  • 380 pallets of stock were rediscovered and added back into the warehouse management system during the trial.
  • The Dexory solution has improved inventory accuracy and product flow in the ambient warehouse operations.
  • 100% of pallets come under the Dexory scanning system multiple times per day, ensuring a smooth and efficient operation.
  • A significant amount of labour time has been freed up for the Company Shop's stock control team.
  • The partnership with Dexory is considered a key pillar in achieving Company Shop Group's long-term goal of reducing waste.

Sources:

  • Company Shop Group press release
  • Dexory press release