Benetton optimises picking in Villorba DC

Dematic has announced an agreement with Benetton Group, one of the best-known fashion companies in the world, whose core business consists of iconic clothing brands United Colors of Benetton and Sisley and a retail network of more than 4,000 stores.

At the end of 2022, Dematic will implement a solution featuring an AutoStore system in the Benetton Group’s logistics facilities in Villorba, Italy, with the aim of boosting its e-commerce channel by optimising storage capacity and order processing. The technology will make its picking operations more efficient, flexible and agile by reducing required space, improving picking times and extending the life of its logistics facilities.

Valentino Soldan, Head of Logistic at Benetton Group, said: “We chose Dematic because we were interested in a partner with significant experience in the e-commerce sector and a solid international background. The AutoStore-based solution meets our business needs perfectly. The technologically advanced solution delivers confidence that we can overcome the increasingly challenging market and it will evolve with us as we develop the business for years to come.”

Flavio Este, Dematic Italy Managing Director, commented: “As an expert in automation, it has been exciting to work so closely with such a forward-looking customer and build a solid partnership for the future of their commerce.”

Rosario Filomena, Dematic Italy Sales Manager, who handled the negotiation, continued: “The Benetton Group will be able to achieve its e-commerce objectives with this scalable solution featuring AutoStore. It is a very compact, easily expandable, high-performance storage system with minimal energy consumption and a high degree of security.”

Dematic software will control and manage the entire operation. The AutoStore system will be implemented with 60,000 bins and orders will be picked by 53 mobile robots that travel over the top of the storage units and descend into the units to access the bins with the requested items. The robots then transport the items to one of 12 pick stations where the items are grouped together for further processing in production. Benetton Group staff previously had to travel long distances to pick individual items.