Retailer invests in Witron’s OPM technology

Metro is a leading food retailer in Canada with over C$12 billion in annual sales and over 65,000 employees. It relies on the storage and picking systems of the general contractor, Witron, which will be implemented in its new DC in Toronto, Canada. Starting in 2021, the distribution centre will supply more than 250 stores in the province of Ontario from an assortment of 3,600 different frozen products.

With the automated logistics systems OPM (Order Picking Machinery) – including its nine automated palletisers called COMs (Case Order Machines) machines – and CPS (Car Picking System), Metro is able to pick up to 112,700 cases plus more than 100 full pallets for shipment to Metro stores on a peak day – error-free and in a store-friendly manner.

The distribution centre also includes a five-aisle high bay warehouse with 12,500 pallet locations and an AS/RS with 118,800 tray locations. Innovative conveyor system elements as well as 18 high-speed stacker cranes – developed and manufactured by Witron’s subsidiary, FAS, ensure maximum availability even at an ambient temperature of -28 degrees C / -18 Fahrenheit.  

As a general contractor, Witron is responsible for the design and installation of all IT, control engineering, and mechanical components, as well as system service and maintenance via an OnSite team.