Super Retail Group (SRG) has implemented Körber’s warehouse management system and other solutions to streamline its omni retail supply chain processes. The company, listed on the ASX, aims to standardize its transport, warehouse, and delivery operations in response to inflation, pandemic-related lockdowns, and skills shortages.
To address inefficiencies and the skills shortage, SRG is shifting its reliance from individuals to machine and process automation. By adopting a single platform, SRG aims to standardize and reduce risks in its supply chain. K.Motion Warehouse Advantage has been deployed in 95 percent of SRG’s distribution centers, eliminating silos and inconsistent practices.
SRG has trained middle management to embrace new technologies, enforce stricter processes, and ensure visible operations to future-proof its delivery and storage network. The improved efficiency in delivery and storage processes enhances the company’s resilience against future supply chain disruptions.
These advancements have also led to reduced operating expenditure, enabling SRG to let go of two distribution centers acquired from Macpac in 2018. However, SRG considers these upgrades as foundational measures for surviving recent challenges, rather than a complete transformation.
SRG had already planned to optimize its product distribution network before the supply chain crisis of 2021-22 forced it to accelerate the process. The company experienced labor shortages, pallet shortages, and delayed ocean freight delivery during the pandemic. As a result, investing in supply chain capabilities became crucial.
The K.Motion Warehouse Advantage platform plays a significant role in assigning, tracking, and guiding workers to optimize tasks. It reduces errors, enforces adherence to protocols, and minimizes the number of reclaimed tasks. The system encompasses various functionalities, including slotting, transfers, picking and packing, cross-docking, and shipping management.
Looking ahead, SRG aims to invest in automation, emphasizing the need to adapt to new technologies and simplify the business. The company seeks individuals with intelligence and aptitude to lead transformations, focusing on network design, automation, data intelligence, and demand and supply planning.
SRG is committed to further standardizing, simplifying, and automating its operations to stay ahead in the industry. The next phase involves shaping the company’s direction through investments in automation, system improvements, and algorithms to optimize processes.
