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The retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) and TGW Logistics have recently signed the contract for a project of superlatives. This is one of the largest orders in the 55-year history of the intralogistics specialist. By spring 2029, a future-proof fulfillment center for food with two temperature zones will be established in Daventry (UK). Robots will take on key tasks and enable maximum efficiency: from transport to storage and retrieval to assembling the roll containers.
(Marchtrenk/Daventry) Marks & Spencer is one of the leading retailers in the UK. Customers can shop for clothing, food, and homeware in one of more than 1,000 stores or order online. In the last financial year, the company, founded in 1884 and employing 65,000 people, achieved a revenue of £13.9 billion.
By spring 2029, TGW Logistics will realize a flagship project for M&S Food, the food division of Marks & Spencer, in Daventry – about 100 kilometers north of London. The distribution center will set standards in innovation and efficiency and will form the benchmark for store deliveries in the UK. Thanks to intelligent automation, M&S can significantly reduce manual work steps and increase picking accuracy. This will sustainably lower logistics costs while simultaneously improving customer service.
Robotics as the Key to Maximum Efficiency
The fulfillment center is divided into a standard and a chilled temperature zone. The standard temperature area includes a combination of pallet high-bay storage and a shuttle system with trays. A fleet of mobile TGW Quba robots takes care of the autonomous transport of pallets from the goods receipt to the warehouse. Robots also automatically load the roll containers for store deliveries. In the chilled area, a shuttle serves as a powerful centerpiece for buffering and sequencing, while a network of energy-efficient conveyor technology connects the two temperature zones.
Beginning of a Joint Automation Journey
“We are very pleased to accompany Marks & Spencer on its automation journey,” emphasizes Joel Garbutt, Chief Sales Officer of the Customer Unit North Europe at TGW Logistics. “Together we have developed a solution that is geared towards the future requirements of the food retail sector and sets new standards in innovation and efficiency. TGW technology is an enabler and supports the long-term growth of M&S Food.”
Photo: © TGW Logistics
