Robots help pickers at Walgreens DC

Robotic split-case picking replaces pick-to-light at this retailer's Mt. Vernon, Ill, DC.

By Tom Andel, Editor in chief -- Modern Materials Handling, 11/14/2007

Walgreens is expanding its Mt. Vernon, Ill., distribution center and is implementing a robotic split-case picking system to replenish store inventory. This is a switch from the pick-to-light system it had been using.

Walgreens selected Kiva’s Mobile Fulfillment System, which is now shipping orders in totes.

“We moved forward with the installation of this system because we were interested in meeting needs from our continued store growth and the need to continue expanding our distribution capacity to support this growth,” says Michael Polzin, with corporate communications. “We'll open 550 new stores in fiscal 2008 and with that comes the need for more distribution capacity.”

Polzin also told Modern Walgreens expects to handle more merchandise with the same amount of staff, and that the system will enable expansion if business conditions demand more capacity.  

This Walgreens DC is using Kiva’s ItemFetch split-case picking system with the  OrderFetch shipping sorter. Mobile robots bring inventory to Walgreens distribution team members to be picked to totes in the specific sequence required for efficient restocking of store shelves. Testing has shown the potential for doubling pick rates in this application.

Kiva Systems founder and CEO Mick Mountz adds, “Walgreens is the largest split-case picking operator in the world and their logistics team has already achieved the industry’s highest levels of productivity.”