The Exotec Skypod shuttles totes automatically to store and retrieve for customer orders. | Image credit: Exotec

Exotec, a robotics solution for logistics and creator of the Skypod 3D warehouse robots, announced Decathlon, the largest sporting retailer in the world, is deploying Exotec Skypod system in its fulfillment center in Montreal. The deployment will help Decathlon Canada drive efficient retail store replenishment and ecommerce fulfillment just in time for the holidays. The Exotec Skypod solution is also known as an automatic storage and retrieval system (ASRS).

‘’We work with Exotec in a number of other regions and we expect this deployment to have a real transformational effect on our operations. Speed and excellence in logistics are two critical elements to deliver great service to our internal and external customers. We are committed to a long-term partnership with Exotec with a progressive increase in the number of robots, in keeping with the overall growth of our business, ‘’ said Richard Tremblay, Logistics Leader for Decathlon Canada.

The deployment will go live December 2021 just in time to help Decathlon Canada meet the demands of the holiday rush and process post-holiday returns.

“Skyrocketing demand for eCommerce exposed a mission-critical need for businesses to rapidly scale their logistics operations. This has been a major tailwind for scalable robotics solutions like the Skypod System. Decathlon expanding the partnership with Exotec to drive growth internationally is a huge testament to the value that we bring to the market.” said Rudi Lueg, Managing Director of North America at Exotec.

The announcement comes on the heels of Exotec raising a $90M funding round, signing Gap as the first North American Customer, and recently launching the Skypicker technology.

Takeaways

• Decathlon has seen the benefits of strategically deployed automation in their warehouses having worked with Exotec in other markets, and chose to deploy Exotec robotics in their Canadian fulfillment centers.
• Decathlon is deploying 55 bots, across 30 locations, that are projected to handle 8M items per year.
• The deployment will go live December 2021 just in time to help Decathlon Canada meet the demands of the holiday rush and process post-holiday returns