Australian e-commerce fulfilment provider eStore Logistics today raised the curtain on a $28 million, robot-equipped warehouse in Melbourne's west.
75 AI-powered Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), working alongside staff, will field up to 40,000 orders each day at the Ravenhall facility. On a weekly basis, the company says enough stock will be picked to fill two Olympic-sized swimming pools.
"Automated robots have already significantly sped up the picking and packing process for our customers," said eStore Logistics managing director Leigh Williams.
"However, what's even more phenomenal is that these AI-powered robots are constantly learning the more they work, the more data they have access to and the smarter they become. As we scale, we'll continue to invest in technology that grows and evolves to meet the increasing demands of the ecommerce industry."
eStore Logistics, which provides third-party logistics solutions to companies including MyDeal.com.au (ASX: MYD), Kogan.com (ASX: KGN) and Temple & Webster (ASX: TPW), has been buoyed by strong e-commerce demand. The company reports 51 per cent growth in online orders in the last 12 months, compared to the prior year.
With demand on the uptick, eStore Logistics has looked to invest in AMRs since last year. The Ravenhall site adds to two large bot-powered warehouses already operated in Melbourne's western suburbs, taking the company's fleet to more than 250 robots.
eStore Logistics said the bots make the stock picking process up to four times faster and allow the company to deliver online orders placed before 4pm within three hours.
Able to handle small mailer items as well as bulkier products like furniture, the company said AMRs create a less labour-intensive and more efficient working environment.
The 17,585 warehouse, designed and customised by Dexus at its Horizon 3023 estate in Ravenhall, marks the second leasing deal the two companies have struck in the past year. The first, a 26,600sqm facility at Foundation at Truganina Estate, was completed in mid-2020.
"We are pleased to welcome eStore Logistics to our Horizon 3023 estate in Ravenhall. We are passionate about working closely with our customers on the design and delivery of hi-tech industrial spaces that support their business needs now and into the future," said Dexus Head of Industrial Development Chris Mackenzie.
Expected to be fully operational by September 2021, the site is tipped to create up to 80 jobs.
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