Panattoni is constructing a fully robotic BTS (built-to-suit) distribution center for Auchan Polska in Wilcza Gora, near Warsaw, from which Auchan will serve its customers via an updated Internet platform.
All operations in the center are to be automated using proprietary Ocado systems based on artificial intelligence and machine learning.
This past April Auchan Polska unveiled its new Internet store, which prioritizes greater convenience and more personalized shopping for its customers. According to Panattoni, “this represented the first stage of a partnership between Auchan and British-based Ocado – a leader in logistics automation and robotics for the e-grocery business.” The next stage will involve the opening of an automated distribution center to support customers with artificial intelligence and machine learning. Such systems will broaden the range of goods on offer to as many as 40,000 products and enable deliveries – including same-day deliveries – thus increasing the convenience of shopping online.
“We can confidently say that our hi-tech distribution center is going to be a real game-changer for the Polish market – particularly when it comes to our innovative solutions to streamline the picking and packing of orders and to manage last mile logistics,” commented Piotr Dopierala, Supply Chain & Logistics Director at Auchan Retail Polska.
“It is an honor and a mark of Auchan Polska’s confidence to have been entrusted with the development of such a strategically important project,” said Panattoni Partner Marek Dobrzycki. “The new distribution center will enable our client to scale up its e-commerce operations, which is a particularly promising part of its business. Because of the extensive automation and customization to meet the demands of the e-grocery business, this project is exceptionally innovative. Being the leading developer, we can draw on our experience of building logistics centers for the biggest players on the market and this experience is crucial when undertaking such ambitious projects.”
A special mezzanine will be fitted in the 18,000 square-meter center for the installation of the Ocado system. Due to the specific nature of the goods to be stored, separate zones will be created, including chilled areas and freezer areas with a temperature control system, to ensure the highest quality and safety of the food. The control system will maintain a temperature of between 2°C and 5°C in the refrigerated section and between -20°C and -22°C in the freezer area. Auchan Polska’s requirements also specify roofing above the external loading dock gates for trucks and courier vans, a sprinkler system that meets the FM Global standard, and reinforced flooring with a load bearing capacity of 165 kN per foot, and zoned up to even 210 kN.
Construction on the new distribution center, which began in the third quarter of this year, is scheduled to conclude in June 2025. Auchan Polska will be granted early access to the center in March, but operations are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of next year after the installation of Ocado’s technology. According to Panattoni, “as a result of process streamlining and the increased scalability of the center, it will be possible to handle a larger number of orders more effectively even during the peak season and this will improve the convenience of shopping for customers.”
The distribution center will be environmentally certified under BREEAM for a rating of Excellent. The roof of the building is to be reinforced in preparation for the future installation of solar panelling and the building’s energy efficient lighting is to be controlled by motion and dusk sensors. As part of the green measures to be taken, delivery routes will be optimized to limit CO₂ emissions and the automated packing systems will reduce the use of packaging materials.
