Walmart has opened a 900,000-square-foot facility in Stockton, Calif. that it says represents the latest step in the total transformation of its supply chain.
Bringing together advanced automation, technology and machine learning with about 1,000 new associates will allow Walmart to streamline the movement of merchandise, as the new tech will enhance storage capacity and up the number of orders that can be deployed compared to a traditional fulfillment center.
An automated high-density storage and retrieval system will fetch and deliver products directly to associates, drawing down the 12-step process usually choreographed for fulfillment to just five steps. According to Walmart, the system was designed to cut down on the repetitive manual tasks usually performed by workers, allowing them to focus on higher-value projects.
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Located in the Central Valley, around 80 miles east of San Francisco, the company said the facility adds significant capacity to serve California customers, bolstering the activities of Walmart’s more than 300 California stores, clubs and supply chain facilities.
“This is an exciting day for Stockton and a significant investment in our community,” said Timm Quinn, CEO of the Stockton Chamber of Commerce, on Thursday upon the center’s opening.
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