Matalan/KNAPP (Retail)

Matalan, KNAPP and LiG have collaborated to design and implement an automated intralogistics solution at Matalan’s Knowsley distribution centre.

Featuring KNAPP’s proven OSR Shuttle Evo and pocket sorter technologies, this highly successful system has delivered major transformation for the retailer’s omnichannel supply chain and created competitive advantage.

The automation has enabled Matalan’s next-day delivery order deadline for customers to be pushed back by 6 hours and reduced the average time from order placement to delivery by 48 hours.

With Knowsley being a brownfield site, the delivery of the system was complex and needed to be meticulously planned to avoid disruption to what is a critical location in Matalan’s supply chain.

Despite the fact that installation took place during the peak pre-Christmas trading period, the project was delivered on time, within budget and with no negative impact on customer service levels for Matalan’s e-commerce operation or store network.

Working with KNAPP’s subsidiary, Dürkopp Fördertechnik (DFT), Matalan has also adapted the pocket sorter technology for e-commerce to enable fulfilment of retail store orders as an interim solution to meet changing consumer habits.

This innovation has secured additional agility for Matalan and improved its retail order fulfilment rate by 200%.