Major player in international logistics and freight forwarding, Bolloré Logistics Singapore, announces plans for its first automation facility with one of the worlds leading luxury products group, LVMH.
Supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), the new 20,000 sqm automation facility will be built with an investment of $10mn between Bolloré Logistics and LVMH as part of a long-term partnership to significantly drive productivity and increase space efficiency.
Cyril Dumon, chief executive officer of Bolloré Logistics Asia Pacific, said: Automation is the key for Singapores logistics sector to cope with emerging patterns globally. The setup will be housed in Bolloré Logistics Green Hub, our high-tech logistic facility in Pioneer Turn, and we are happy to announce that the co-development of this automation has secured a long-term commitment from LVMH. Bolloré Logistics strives to be at the forefront of innovation and prides itself in developing advanced supply chains for its customers.
Guillaume Mechain, supply chain director of LVMH, Asia Pacific, said: The close partnership between LVMH and Bolloré Logistics has strongly supported the growth of the business in the last 15 years. With the introduction of automation, it further reinforces our connections and emphasises our expertise on safety, quality, service and efficiency for the next 10 years.
Collectively designed by Bolloré Logistics, LVMH and Dematic, this combination of multi-shuttle system and picking technology is the first of its kind to be deployed in Singapore and the region. The facility will bring significant transformation to tackle supply chain operations – from the order preparation process, inbound to final dispatch of the orders, to integrating control checks that ensure greater accuracy.
It also allows Bolloré Logistics to meet new challenges arising from the emergence of e-commerce and increase of future distribution channels globally, by bringing with it the capability to prepare e-commerce orders with a high level of accuracy while reducing the time to market, thus increasing its agility and capacity to absorb peak level of activity.
Michael Bradshaw, director dematic for SEA, said: Working closely together with Bolloré Logistics, we have developed an innovative automated solution that will bring tremendous improvements in productivity, accuracy and space efficiency. This project represents a number of industry firsts both in Singapore and in the region and we are delighted to be involved with the Bolloré Logistics team in designing, delivering and supporting the project.
The facility will allow for higher storage density to make efficient use of limited warehouse space in Singapore. In terms of productivity, it will achieve throughput levels up to 10 times as compared to conventional methods, and will improve order lead time while using only half of the existing manpower resources.
Fabien Giordano, managing director of Bolloré Logistics Singapore, said: Bolloré Logistics strongly believes that innovation starts from the bottom and has invested in various training and developmental programs within the company over the years. Our objective is to empower our staff. As part of change management, Bolloré Logistics has initiated several HR initiatives and a dedicated pilot development program known as Level Up. The program, which includes a variety of technical and soft skill training, is specifically designed to equip our staff with necessary skills to cope with challenges that may come with automation.
Tan Kok Xiong, Supervisor, Bolloré Logistics Singapore, said: The ground staff is looking forward to this automation facility. Early communication is already in place to assist the staff so they are prepared for whats coming. Although staff skills need to be upgraded through training, they can use this chance to expand their skillset and integrate flexibility to increase productivity.
With Singapore as the companys regional hub, the new facility, slated to complete in January 2018, through its adaptable and scalable system aims to create a future-ready infrastructure to support the demands of the Asia Pacific region. The plan is also in line with the governments direction towards a future-ready Singapore and is supported by EDB.