Fast Retailing expands partnership with Mujin & Exotec

14 Nov '19

2 min read

Pic: Fast Retailing

Japanese retailer Fast Retailing Co Ltd has concluded strategic global partnership agreements with Mujin Inc, a Japanese intelligent industrial robot controller manufacturer, and Exotec Solutions SAS, a French robotics solutions provider. This expands the alliance initiated in October 2018 with Daifuku, a worldwide leader in materials handling systems.

"Fast Retailing is pleased to welcome two new partners to an alliance we created a year ago. We will draw on the outstanding ability and experience of all three partners to strengthen our supply chain by stepping up our warehouse automation and global transformation," said Takuya Jimbo, group executive vice president of Fast Retailing.

"Placing customers at the heart of our business means delivering the right products that meet the real needs of customers, at the right price, in the right quantities, in the right place and at the right time. This is something we aim to be the first company in the world to achieve," he added.

Initiatives under the strategic global partnership include further automate warehousing, globally deploy automated warehousing, and expand strategic partnerships and fast-tack hiring.

"Apparel picking automation is challenging because of the nature and variety of items. Fast Retailing will accelerate warehouse automation by working with Mujin to develop and internationally deploy picking robots employing artificial intelligence-based motion planning," Fast Retailing said on its website.

Working with Daifuku from last year, Fast Retailing has begun to automate two warehouses in Japan and another two abroad. In addition, Fast Retailing looks to initially automate one facility each with Mujin and Exotec Solutions internationally, and will thereafter expand such endeavours.

As part of the partnership, Fast Retailing will build an unparalleled supply chain by expanding alliances with companies that have advanced technologies, while recruiting experts to spearhead supply chain reforms.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RKS)

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