Geekplus Technology Co. said it has implemented its high-storage-density, shelf-to-person PopPick system at the ASKUL Value Center is Kansai, Japan. This marks the largest installation of that system in Japan.
ASKUL Corp. plans to use more than 318 Geek+ robots once the system is finished. Currently, the installation is more than 70% complete, according to the companies.
“The Geekplus PopPick System is designed for high efficiency and can significantly improve the overall productivity of warehouse operations,” Hirokazu Kato, president and CEO of Geek+ Japan, said. “This implementation will showcase to the market the next generation of warehouse automation, setting a new industry benchmark.”
Geek+ and ASKUL build on existing partnership
ASKUL, an office supply provider, has been using Geek+’s Shelf-to-Person Standard System across multiple distribution centers since 2019. Since implementing the robots, the company said it has streamlined its warehouse operations and boosted its efficiency.
After expanding its product line, ASKUL was looking to grow into a new warehouse automation system. It said it chose PopPick for its high efficiency, high-density storage, and cost savings.
The system also enhances the ASKUL customer experience through a more efficient and effective logistics system, according to the company.
The PopPick System is made up of picking robots that transport movable shelves from storage locations to PopPick workstations. At these workstations, intelligent robotic arms present totes or boxes to the operator. Geek+ said its system can increase picking speed by up to 500 lines per hour, improve storage density by 50%, and double throughput capacity.
Geek+ reaches higher and expands its customer base
Last year, Geek+ introduced a mobile automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) that supports warehouse automation up to 40 ft. (12 m) tall. When it was announced, Geek+ had already installed it at customer sites in North America and Asia.
This new tall robot operates within aisles, focusing on vertically storing and retrieving totes or cases. The robot can then transfer them to small and fast picking robots that navigate beneath the racks to deliver the items to picking stations.
This coordination between robots results in a flexible and space-saving picking and storing system for warehouses, said Geek+.
Since then, the company announced a global strategic partnership with FORTNA. The partnership will bring Geek+ goods-to-person and mobile sortation robots to FORTNA’s customers around the world. According to the companies, multiple projects are already in the works in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
More recently, Geek+ deployed its Shelf-to-Person PopPick system at Kerry TJ Logistics’ new logistics center. The automated center handles both business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) orders for New Balance.
The PopPick system equips warehouses with heatmap analysis and inventory rearrangement according to frequently picked items, which Geek+ said can enhance overall picking efficiency.