Alimerka invests in Cimcorp robotics solution
Cimcorp has landed a deal to automate the distribution of fresh produce for Spanish grocery retailer, Alimerka.
Robotic systems at the company's Lugo de Llanera distribution centre, just north of Oviedo, will serve all 173 of Alimerka’s stores across Northwest Spain, as well as another dozen or so customers of its fresh produce distribution subsidiary, Codefrut.
"We expect strict project management from Cimcorp in the implementation phase," says Alimerka's CEO, Alejandro Fernández González.
"We’ve seen what the company has done for other grocery retailers, and that the Cimcorp team understands the challenges with fresh produce. We cannot have any delays due to disruption. Over 150,000 families a day rely on food being available in our stores."
Around 120 tonnes of fresh produce pass through the aforementioned DC every day, six days a week, being handled in plastic crates to prevent bruising. "With this automation, we want to ensure that there are no unscheduled stoppages," says González.
"Imagine if the automation didn’t work for one day: the stores would not receive fruit and vegetables, the produce in the logistics centre would no longer be as fresh, and there wouldn't be space for the 120 tonnes coming in the next day.”
“We have to have a reliable solution so that the hard work, time and money invested in fresh produce doesn’t go to waste. This is why we have invested in fresh food automation from Cimcorp."
Alimerka is also investing in preventive maintenance and 24/7 help desk support from Cimcorp. "Automation comes with a price tag," González comments. “But when you invest in high-quality automation, it ages well.”
“Nevertheless, all automation has wearable parts that need to be replaced from time to time. Who better to maintain and repair the solution than the people who designed and installed it in the first place? We want to get the most out of this investment, so we want to take care of it in order that it will last several decades."
