News

Amazon has increased the amount of products shipped from centres in Victoria and Queensland due to a temporary COVID-19 closure at its main DC in Sydney.

The tech company had to close its Moorebank distribution centre after two employees tested positive to COVID-19.

The 44,000 sqm distribution centre stocked with half a million products, will remain closed while it is deep cleaned after the positive tests.

The centre is now unable to ship tens of thousands of orders, but Amazon’s network around the country is working to fulfil the backlog of orders.

The company’s other centres in New South Wales remain open and operational.

Around 100 casual workers have been impacted by the closure.

Craig Fuller, Amazon Australia Director of Operations, says the online giant is following the directions of NSW Health.

“The safety of our people remains our highest priority and we have taken prompt, proactive measures to ensure the safety of employees at our site,” Craig says.

Amazon opened the 44,000 sqm fulfilment centre in Moorebank in 2018, its second in Australia, shortly after opening its 24,000sq m Melbourne fulfillment centre in Dandenong.

Employees who are close contacts to the infected have already been notified by NSW Health and have been told to self-isolate for two-weeks.

The company is confident the majority of the orders will be able to be filled from other distribution centres across the country.

Cloud-based logistics platform ShipBob’s first fulfilment centre in Australia has officially opened for business. Read more

Works have finished for an expansive 8000 sqm distribution centre in the Adelaide Airport Burbridge Business Park. Read more

Körber has been placed as a Leader in the 2021 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) report.

To Körber, the recognition exemplifies the capabilities of its unmatched depth of technologies, spanning software to materials handling automation, to conquer supply chain complexities in some of the most demanding environments worldwide.

Chad Collins, CEO Software at Kӧrber Business Area Supply Chain, says the company’s depth separates them from other solutions providers.

“For us, our third consecutive placement as a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Warehouse Management Systems demonstrates how we assembled the complete product portfolio – including operational and simulation software, voice and robotics – to empower our customer’s to conquer the complexity of their distribution operations. Additionally, our global footprint allows us to service the world’s largest companies,” he says.

Körber provides WMS products specifically designed for the unique needs of small businesses, global enterprise and third-party logistics providers.

The German based company is experiencing a strong uptick in demand for the combination of its software and automation solutions.

The extension of the K.Motion Warehouse Management Systems with autonomous mobile robotics (AMR) and the K.Motion Warehouse Control System (WCS) gives customers a powerful technology suite to revolutionise picking and putaway material flows and processes.

• Officeworks: The Australian chain of office supply stores capitalises on more than 100 AMRs, voice and RF users, and Kӧrber’s WMS.
• dm-drogerie markt: Germany’s leading drugstore chain was awarded the German Logistics Prize 2020 and has been relying on Körber’s warehouse management system at all of its sites for more than 20 years as part of its efficient logistics IT.
• Boot Barn: Western clothing provider uses Kӧrber’s WMS and WCS to consolidate three disparate automation systems and scale with its 40,000 sq. foot distribution center expansion.

Rene Hermes, CMO at Kӧrber Business Area Supply Chain, says supply chain is a mission-critical function – and now essentially a house-hold term.

“More than ever, businesses need a partner that not only offers technology, but also works alongside them to develop a solution tailored to their unique complexities. Regardless of consumer expectations, the pandemic, the regulatory environment and everything in-between, we ensure customers’ warehousing and logistics processes to thrive,” he says

View a complimentary copy of the Magic Quadrant for WMS to learn more about the report and Kӧrber’s recognition at https://www.koerber-supplychain.com/gartner-magic-quadrant.