Technology is everywhere these days, and it looks like Coles is taking a leap into the future that has us feeling like we've stepped right into a science fiction story.

Coles is going all-in with a massive transformation by introducing a futuristic automated warehouse that will have cutting-edge, high-speed robots. Yes, you read that correctly—robots!

It's Australia's first automated supermarket distribution centre, and it's set to be a modern marvel nestled in the heart of Redbank, Brisbane.

With a towering height of 35 metres and a floor plan double the size of the MCG playing field, it's like a superstore in itself. Inside, you'll find a treasure trove of all the essential supermarket items you can think of.

But that's not all! These goods are destined for an exciting adventure. They'll embark on a journey to reach over 200 Coles stores spread across Queensland and NSW, revolutionising how we shop for groceries. It's a whole new era of grocery shopping, and this warehouse is at the heart of it all.

Coles will soon have an automated warehouse replacing human packers with complex machines. Credit: Shutterstock.

Coles claims this automated leap could lead to lower grocery prices. How, you might wonder? Well, items are processed through a conveyor-belt system, where a sophisticated sorting and packing system determines the ideal configuration for stacking products onto each grocery store's order pallet.

Software and robotics systems accumulate details about each product, replacing the traditional process. This system can identify the best method to process items quickly, accurately, and with less damage than a human. You must admit, it's pretty fascinating how times change!

'In automation, we're more accurate in products we pick, we have fewer damages, we're able to build the pallets better,' said Kevin Gunn, Coles Executive General Manager of Operations Strategy & Transformation.

'The system knows how much it weighs, how big it is, and what the crushability is.' It seems these machines will do all the heavy lifting, saving over 18 million kilograms of manual labour each week.

Now, we know some of you will think, what about jobs? Will these robots and machines take jobs away from people? Coles has reassured the public that this diligent army of robots won't lead to job losses; quite the contrary.

'We've never had more jobs in Coles,' Chief Operating Officer Matt Swindle shared. 'We have over 130,000 team members at the moment. It was 117,000 three years ago.'

Although this futuristic centre is the first of its kind in Australia, more are expected to follow its lead. There are plans to launch a similar warehouse in Sydney next year, followed by opening two customer fulfilment centres, brought to fruition in partnership with Ocado.

Key Takeaways

• Coles has launched Australia's first automated distribution centre in Brisbane, which will replace human packers with machines.
• The new system is expected to process items faster and more accurately, to reduce the price of groceries.
• Despite concerns about job losses, Coles ensures there will not be job cuts, citing the employment increase in recent years.
• The company plans to open more automated centres in Sydney and two customer fulfilment centres with Ocado.

This technological leap is a game-changer for Coles, and it might just revolutionise our shopping experience and even bring down those grocery costs.

So, folks, what are your thoughts on this development? Are you thrilled about the idea of robots and machines packing your groceries? We'd love to hear your take on it, so drop your comments below!

 

[Jenelle Maree]

Hello everyone, Automation in the warehouses. J can see the positive. I can also see the negative. There will be job lossess, because Coles has not mentioned where these employees have gone. Have they been relocated, or paid to leave. We really do not know.
On to another automation. Coles, Woollies & some Aldi stores have self check out. I want to know why we don't get a discount when we self check out.They don't have as many humans serving humans. Who is benefiting from this? The CEO's, they end up with higher salaries. Isn't it up to them to work out the % discount if we self check out. Humans need to be needed. They need to be active in their working life. If humans lose work because oif automation, Shame, Poor Mental health will be on the increase. This is taking hope away from our young people of tomorrow. I like a human serving me, I like the smile, & the pleasant engaging conversation. Humans need work or activity, without this could crime go up. Who Knows? I love our young people of tomorrow, they will be the healers of our beautiful planet. Bye everyone. Be kind to yourself.

 

[Gsr]

Will be interesting to see what happens when the system crashes, or when it chucks a wobbly and goes berserk. Hopefully it will be captured on some sort of footage so we all get to have a good laugh. We could all do with a good laugh to lift our spirits (or drink some if the robots don’t drink or destroy them). Not sure I can live with the anticipation waiting for it to happen. Haha.

 

[SGH]

Will be interesting to see what happens when the system crashes, or when it chucks a wobbly and goes berserk. Hopefully it will be captured on some sort of footage so we all get to have a good laugh. We could all do with a good laugh to lift our spirits (or drink some if the robots don’t drink or destroy them). Not sure I can live with the anticipation waiting for it to happen. Haha.

Actually it is not the first of its kind in Australia, there was a dedicated automatic self reliant warehouse installed into a military establishment back in the 1980's. It was only as good as it was until software failures hardware malfunctions and then what do you supposed happened. Manual labour was re-introduced.

 

[Lolali]

Now that is disgusting and after so many years of service. I bet the managers etc - don't lose there jobs, & they will have to keep some staff who will be making sure the robots are doing there jobs! They state no jobs lost & prices may come down - that is a load of Bull-as we have just read! These big supermarkets only ever do anything if it means they will be making a profit! Where is the human interaction in this type of shopping-as long as we shop there & spend our money at there store - that is as far as there giving a whatever about the customer. I do feel for the people that will lose there jobs with all the futuristic sh.. that is being contemplated and now starting to be implemented - the gov't will be paying for more and more unemployment benefits! Nice - not, for the people that have lost there jobs, what about the hope for there future when having a job was surviving, being able to make plans & having life goals. All round it's always about, greed, power, control and the almighty $.

no ordinary staff will keep the robots going, very expensive technicians will service those. Prices won’t go down either, imagine what it costs to buy the robots…. I’m absolutely sure people steal heaps on those check outs.
I love self service check out, it’s fun & faster but I don’t do it anymore.
Now I line up at a proper check out to make a point!

 

[Cheezil]

Why would we trust a supermarket exec/ceo etc?

 

[Ezzy]

No employee will lose their job, but assuming they won't be employed on the packing line, where will they be utilised? Perhaps a posting in another area or state which will end up with a resignation? Let's see the facts in black & white!

Have Coles really thought this situation out to the fullest? Some of those employees maybe close to retirement but may wish to work in their general field until they do retire. Will this be a reason to "let them go" rather than find alternate postings?

 

[Shane/#]

Technology is everywhere these days, and it looks like Coles is taking a leap into the future that has us feeling like we've stepped right into a science fiction story.

Coles is going all-in with a massive transformation by introducing a futuristic automated warehouse that will have cutting-edge, high-speed robots. Yes, you read that correctly—robots!

It's Australia's first automated supermarket distribution centre, and it's set to be a modern marvel nestled in the heart of Redbank, Brisbane.

With a towering height of 35 metres and a floor plan double the size of the MCG playing field, it's like a superstore in itself. Inside, you'll find a treasure trove of all the essential supermarket items you can think of.

But that's not all! These goods are destined for an exciting adventure. They'll embark on a journey to reach over 200 Coles stores spread across Queensland and NSW, revolutionising how we shop for groceries. It's a whole new era of grocery shopping, and this warehouse is at the heart of it all.

View attachment 23556

Coles will soon have an automated warehouse replacing human packers with complex machines. Credit: Shutterstock.

Coles claims this automated leap could lead to lower grocery prices. How, you might wonder? Well, items are processed through a conveyor-belt system, where a sophisticated sorting and packing system determines the ideal configuration for stacking products onto each grocery store's order pallet.

Software and robotics systems accumulate details about each product, replacing the traditional process. This system can identify the best method to process items quickly, accurately, and with less damage than a human. You must admit, it's pretty fascinating how times change!

'In automation, we're more accurate in products we pick, we have fewer damages, we're able to build the pallets better,' said Kevin Gunn, Coles Executive General Manager of Operations Strategy & Transformation.

'The system knows how much it weighs, how big it is, and what the crushability is.' It seems these machines will do all the heavy lifting, saving over 18 million kilograms of manual labour each week.

Now, we know some of you will think, what about jobs? Will these robots and machines take jobs away from people? Coles has reassured the public that this diligent army of robots won't lead to job losses; quite the contrary.

'We've never had more jobs in Coles,' Chief Operating Officer Matt Swindle shared. 'We have over 130,000 team members at the moment. It was 117,000 three years ago.'

Although this futuristic centre is the first of its kind in Australia, more are expected to follow its lead. There are plans to launch a similar warehouse in Sydney next year, followed by opening two customer fulfilment centres, brought to fruition in partnership with Ocado.

Key Takeaways

• Coles has launched Australia's first automated distribution centre in Brisbane, which will replace human packers with machines.
• The new system is expected to process items faster and more accurately, to reduce the price of groceries.
• Despite concerns about job losses, Coles ensures there will not be job cuts, citing the employment increase in recent years.
• The company plans to open more automated centres in Sydney and two customer fulfilment centres with Ocado.

This technological leap is a game-changer for Coles, and it might just revolutionise our shopping experience and even bring down those grocery costs.

So, folks, what are your thoughts on this development? Are you thrilled about the idea of robots and machines packing your groceries? We'd love to hear your take on it, so drop your comments below!

Like the self-serve checkouts this is costing job's the way the world is going people will be on unemployment benefits because they can't get job's and Coles profits goes through the roof with less worker's