An 850,000ft2 distribution facility has seen a number of efficiency gains since KNAPP automated The Very Group Skygate DC in the East Midlands.
Opened in March 2020, the 850,000ft2 facility has secured a number of benefits for the online retailer and its customers, including greater product availability, faster refunds, and an enhanced ability to handle peak trading periods.
The automated picking, sortation, and packaging technology from KNAPP allows orders to be ready for dispatch within 30 minutes, compared to around four hours at Very’s previous fulfilment centres.
Operating 24/7, Skygate has processed more than 40 million items since its launch and has significant potential for future expansion.
“A fast, seamless fulfilment operation is vital for great customer experience, and that’s what we focused on when developing Skygate’s highly automated technology, said Phil Hackney, CEO of The Very Group.
“Throughout the pandemic, that technology has helped us to manage huge volumes of orders. It also enabled us to bring all of our clothing and footwear returns under one roof for the first time and means we’re well positioned for future growth,” he adds.
Anton Tschurwald, Vice President Retail Solutions for KNAPP AG adds: “A strong spirit of partnership with the customer meant that Skygate was delivered within budget and on time, despite going live during the COVID-19 lockdown.”
