Geekplus Technology Co. and Adidas AG last week jointly announced the grand opening of an automated distribution center in Suzhou, China. The partners said the “state-of-the-art” facility “sets a new industry standard with its high degree of speed and flexibility in warehousing logistics.”
“With the establishment of this center, Adidas aims to ramp up supply chain responsiveness, boost operational efficiency, and elevate the consumer experience,” said Harm Ohlmeyer, global chief financial officer of Adidas, in a release. “We envision these logistics advancements to provide valuable insights for Adidas' global expansion.”
Founded in 1949, Adidas provides athletic footwear, apparel, and accessories. The Herzogenaurach, Germany-based company has 59,000 employees worldwide, and its 2022 revenue surpassed €22.5 billion ($23.6 billion U.S.).
Adidas site can process 1M pieces per day
Adidas said its 139,000-sq.-m (1.4 million-sq.-ft.) automated facility can process more than 1 million pieces per day and can hold 10 million pieces of apparel and footwear.
Geek+ said its robotic systems addressed various challenges in Adidas' logistics and warehousing operations. This included customizations for detecting item locations, “significantly enhancing” operational safety, and aligning human-machine collaboration with Adidas' needs.
In addition, Geek+ said its intelligent scheduling logic can optimize robot handling, elevating overall efficiency. By improving the work experience for employees, automation can help with worker retention, the company said.
Geek+ marks ongoing partnership
“As a pioneer in smart logistics, Geek+ is delighted to support Adidas in advancing warehouse logistics flexibility, ultimately enhancing the consumer experience,” stated Yong Zheng, founder and CEO of Geek+. “Adidas and Geek+ have a longstanding and robust collaborative foundation, and this inauguration marks a significant milestone in the partnership between the two and stands as a crucial innovation within the industry.”
Founded in 2015, Geek+ has developed autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and software to provide flexible, reliable, and efficient automation for warehouses and supply chain management. The Beijing-based company said it is trusted by more than 700 global industry leaders.
Geek+ has over 1,500 employees and offices in eight countries and territories. It recently deployed robots in Newegg Commerce Inc.'s electronics warehouse and celebrated the third anniversary of its collaboration with Körber Supply Chain.
Editor's note: Randy Randolph, vice president of channels and partnerships at Geekplus America; John Santagate, vice president for robotics at Körber; and Matthew S. Hardenberg, vice president of distribution at Ariat International Inc., will participate in the keynote panel at the 2024 Robotics Applications Conference online on Oct. 18. Registration is free.