Woolworths has announced plans to construct a new automated customer fulfilment centre (CFC) in the Sydney suburb of Auburn.
According to the retailer, the 22,000sqm CFC will help better serve the online grocery needs of western Sydney customers.
The facility will be built in partnership with Knapp. Its automation technology is expected to help Woolworths’ personal shoppers pick and dispatch up to 50,000 home deliveries a week in western Sydney.
WooliesX Managing Director Amanda Bardwell says the company has seen an extraordinary acceleration in online grocery shopping over the past year.
“As we look ahead, we expect more and more customers will turn to the ease and convenience of home delivery to reclaim time in their busy lives,” she says.
“To keep pace with the demand, we need to innovate with new technology to boost capacity and ensure we’re continuing to offer the best possible online grocery experience.
“This fulfilment centre will deliver a step change in our online offer for our Western Sydney customers. With Knapp’s world-class automation, our team of personal shoppers will be able to pick many more orders – offering our customers faster delivery options and extra windows to choose from.”
Subject to planning approvals, construction is expected to commence this year ahead of an operational launch by 2024. If approved, the CFC will support up to 250 full-time equivalent roles and around 440 jobs during construction.