ASCLA Award: Prestigious Recognition for Coles and WITRON
In mid-November 2024, the SCLAA (Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia) celebrated outstanding achievements in the fields of logistics, transport, and supply chain with a prestigious gala event in Sydney. A highlight of the evening was the coveted “Automation, Robotics or Emerging Technology” award, presented to the WITRON Group for its exceptional work in designing and implementation of the state-of-the-art, highly automated dry goods logistics center for food retailer Coles in Redbank (Brisbane). Fellow winner, Portalink Pty Ltd was also recognized in this category for their own remarkable contributions. Widely regarded as Australia’s premier logistics event, the evening brought industry leaders together for an inspiring night of recognition and achievement.
Foto: ASCLA
Accepting the award on behalf of the two companies were Diarmuid McArdle (Coles - Head of Automation Programs) and Win Tun (WITRON – Director of Business Development APAC) joined by their respective teams. The team proudly received the winner certificate and a striking rock crystal trophy from chief judge Nigel Edwards, with celebrated comedian and event host Sam McCool adding charm and humor as the night’s Master of Ceremonies.
Honoring the Teams behind the Success
“Receiving this prestigious award is a reflection of the extraordinary work of all colleagues involved in the project. It certainly feels great that hard work and mutual trust are both recognized and rewarded,” said the team. While the technical requirements were an exciting task, Coles and WITRON teams highlighted the exceptional efforts made by their colleagues to overcome significant challenges, over many months of disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. “Despite the health and logistical hurdles, our colleagues demonstrated remarkable resilience and commitment, ensuring the project stayed on track,” they added. “Their achievement deserves the utmost respect and reflects the shared spirit and determination of both Coles and WITRON.”
Jurors impressed by the outstanding result
The 16-member ASCLA judging panel was highly impressed by the Redbank ADC’s outstanding achievements in operational efficiency, distribution capacity, sustainability, product availability, supply chain resilience, and workplace safety. These features not only set a new benchmark for technologically and organizational excellence but also provide clear benefits for all stakeholders.
- For Coles employees: Enhanced safety and ergonomic working conditions that eliminate approximately 18 million kilograms of manual handling each week.
- For consumers: Advanced automation has strengthened Coles’ supply chain resilience, ensuring continuity and consistent product availability in stores, even during major disruptions or natural disasters.
- For sustainability: Reduced product waste, a significantly lower carbon footprint, space-saving architecture, and optimized logistics to cut down on transportation emissions, contributing to a greener and more efficient operation.
The Redbank ADC, the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, is designed to service 219 Coles supermarkets across Queensland and Northern New South Wales. The 66,000 square meter facility is powered by WITRON automation technology, including OPM (Order Picking Machinery), AIO (All-in-One Order Fulfillment) and CPS (Car Picking System), handling over 18,500 dry goods products and processing up to four million cases per week — equivalent to 32 million products sold in the stores. A fully automated outbound buffer further enhances efficiency, ensuring seamless dispatch operations that align with store and delivery requirements.
Further joint projects in Sydney and Melbourne
Building on the success of the Redbank facility, WITRON has successfully commissioned another highly automated Coles distribution center in Kemps Creek (Sydney). This state-of-the-art site mirrors the Redbank facility in both scale and functionality, further establishing the strength of their collaboration. The partnership continues to grow. At the end of October 2024, Coles entrusted WITRON to plan and implement a new automated logistics center near Melbourne, reinforcing their shared commitment to driving innovation and advancing supply chain excellence.
