FM Logistic implements robots for logistics service of IKEA e-commerce channel in Poland

FM Logistic and IKEA officially start a new chapter of their cooperation in terms of warehouse and logistics services for the e-commerce channel. For the first time in Poland, the warehouse will be equipped with robots provided by the American company  Locus Robotics, which will serve for processing parcel orders from the whole country. This is the largest implementation of logistics automation processes at FM Logistic in Central Europe and a further step in developing the IKEA omnichannel in Poland.

For the first time in Poland, the FM Logistic warehouse is the place where 46 assisting robots from Locus Robotics were used to process orders – the only solution on the market that cooperates entirely with humans. It is also the first implementation of this second-generation robots in the world.  Their lifting capacity has been doubled to 36 kg and allows up to four orders to be prepared at the same time, while assisting warehouse staff with picking. They drive up to the corresponding rack and display on the screen the article and the number ofpieces to be picked. Then, thanks to laser sensors, they determine the shortest route between the racks and move on to the next worker. In a further step, the orders reach the automatic conveyor line, where they are sorted for packing according to various technologies: from envelope to packing in height-reduced or cut-to-size cartons, and finally they are allocated to separate loads for the respective courier companies.

“At FM Logistic, we embrace the principle of automating logistics processes only for measurable outcomes. In this project, to meet both the high-quality expectations of the customer as well as final consumers, and to facilitate the work of our warehouse teams, the use of large-scale automation represented the best solution,” says Guilhem Vicaire, Central Europe Business Solutions Director, FM Logistic and further explains “Given the wide variety of products and their dimensions, we applied several technologies. Currently, around 50% of orders are processed fully automatically. Second half is packed manually where around 8% are so-called sensitive products, such as glass,  and 10% of orders are oversized products which, due to their size, cannot be picked by robots. Thanks to the solutions applied, we estimate that we have achieved an efficiency of 225% in order picking and 175% in packing. This represents real support in implementing and developing our customer’s omnichannel strategy.”

As a result of IKEA’s cooperation with its long-standing partner FM Logistic, the location of the new warehouse, modern infrastructure and automation used by the operator, customers in Poland now receive an additional 2.5 hours to place an order with next-day delivery. With a surface area of 16,000 sqm, FM Logistic’s warehouse will support around 7,000 types of IKEA items. The warehouse now allows for processing over 1 million orders in the first year of its operation and provides prospects for growth in terms of numbers of parcels and development of the IKEA e-commerce channel in Poland for the next few years. Automated logistics solutions such as Packsize and equipment that cuts cartons’ height based on the product size will be used there, which will also result in lower paper consumption.

“At IKEA, we keep making the world of home furnishing affordable, sustainable and more convenient for everyone. Purchasing and assembling furniture has always been a natural part of IKEA’s customer experience. But now they are looking forward to diverse options. The omnichannel approach to sales ensures that our customers receive high-quality home furnishing items – whenever, however, and wherever they want them,” – says Sebastian Kaczmarski, Central Fulfilment Operations Manager, IKEA Distribution Services S.A. and adds, “This investment also represents the next chapter in a cooperation of more than 20 years between IKEA and FM Logistic in Poland.”

As a logistics provider, FM Logistic focuses on providing its customers with new value and co-creating sustainable multi-channel supply chains. Automation is one of the pillars of this strategy, but the key is the customized selection of solutions tailored to the needs of a particular customer. FM Logistic experts assist customers in this process, with key expertise in solution design, execution and operation of the warehousing systems. 

About FM Logistic

Supporting the development of sustainable omnichannel supply chains is central to FM Logistic’s strategy, as illustrated in its tagline: “Supply Change”. 

Founded in France in 1967, the family-owned company is one of the leading supply chain services companies in Europe and Asia, serving customers in the FMCG, retail, beauty-cosmetics, industrial manufacturing and healthcare industries. 

Its services include warehousing, omnichannel fulfilment, co-packing, domestic and international transport, urban logistics operations, as well as supply chain control tower services. 

FM Logistic is active in more than 14 countries across Europe, Asia, and Latin America. It has annual revenues of about €1.5 billion and more than 28,000 employees. 

For more information, visit us, on Twitter @FMLogistic and on LinkedIn