The reason for the expansion of logistics capacities is the merger of PLUS with the food retailer COOP, also from the Netherlands, whose logistics processes will be partially integrated into the new highly automated PLUS distribution center.

From 2023, the system will supply the majority of the 550 stores with a range of more than 12,000 different items. The integrated Witron solutions OPM, CPS and DPS are designed for a daily picking performance of 452,000 pick units, which are placed on roll containers or in store bins without errors and in line with store requirements.

"Both PLUS and COOP place maximum focus on service quality, customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction and sustainability," says PLUS Supply Chain Director Rowell Versleijen. "That's why we rely on innovation and state-of-the-art technology in all areas of the company."

At the heart of the distribution center is the Witron OPM system, which was originally designed for 20 COM machines. This is now being extended by four COM machines. The automatic tray warehouse upstream of the order picking area will also be expanded by eight stacker cranes (making a total of 48) and 45,700 storage locations (making a total of 274,500), and the automatic pallet warehouse by one stacker crane (making a total of 11) and 2,700 storage locations (making a total of 29,500). All additional racking units, vehicles, depalletizers, wrappers and their conveyor and IT connections will be integrated directly into the existing building. Expansion areas already planned for the warehouse will be used.

"Thanks to the modular design of our end-to-end solutions and their physical compactness, we can develop highly flexible future concepts for our customers right from the planning phase, which can be easily integrated into an existing system with a view to increasing volumes, growing article ranges, additional pick stations or changing business and material flow processes. Regardless of whether the system has already been in operation for many years or - as with PLUS - is only just being put into operation," explains Jack Kuypers, Senior Vice President North-West Europe at Witron.

The merger of PLUS and COOP creates the third largest full-service grocery retailer in the Netherlands under the PLUS brand, which supplies more than 4.5 million customers with everyday goods every week with a market share of around 10 percent. The company has an annual turnover of around five billion euros and employs more than 40,000 people.