Takeoff Technologies and Wakefern Food Corp.® Launch Automated Micro-Fulfillment Center to Enhance Grocery Automation Business
Takeoff and Wakefern are partnering to provide more scalable Grocery Automation
Waltham, MA – July 23, 2019 – Takeoff Technologies, creator of the world’s first automated micro fulfillment centers (MFCs), has partnered with Wakefern Food Corp., the largest retailer-owned grocery cooperative in the United States, to launch a fulfillment center in Clifton, NJ. Takeoff Technologies’ hyperlocal fulfillment centers increase speed and lower costs for retailers while improving the overall customer experience for online grocery shopping.
“We are excited to partner with Takeoff Technologies to see how their hyperlocal automation technology will benefit our cooperative, retail members and shoppers,” said Steve P. Henig, Wakefern’s vice president of Digital Commerce & Analytics. “We are really proud of our eGrocery shopping platform, ShopRite from Home,® and believe this partnership will enhance our online shopping service.”
Wakefern is at the forefront of the growing eGrocery market through its ShopRite from Home program, which currently offers clients pick-up and home delivery services across most ShopRite store locations. The new partnership with Takeoff will expand Wakefern’s capabilities to deliver top-notch eGrocery service and value under a scalable model.
The new fulfillment center will serve select ShopRite stores operated by Wakefern member Inserra Supermarkets in North Jersey and New York. The change will be seamless for customers as they continue to place orders through ShopRite from Home.
Takeoff is a Grocery Automation Solution that empowers grocers to grow online by leveraging automation at a hyperlocal scale. The automated technology uses advanced robotics in the fulfillment center, where orders of up to 60 grocery items can be assembled in minutes, increasing efficiency and ensuring customers get their online orders quickly. Takeoff Technologies and Wakefern launched their partnership this month with the opening of the new fulfillment center in Clifton, and an agreement in place to open additional sites in the future.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Wakefern to help make their eGrocery service even better,” said Jose Aguerrevere, CEO and co-founder of Takeoff. “Our hyperlocal approach and technology results in lower packaging costs and high last mile efficiency.”
“Our eGrocery automation is a turn-key, scalable solution that uses robotics to unlock convenience for shoppers without the need to charge extra fees,” added Max Pedro, co-founder and president of Takeoff. “It’s a win-win for grocers and shoppers.”
About Takeoff:
Takeoff is a Grocery Automation Solution that empowers retailers to attain profitable online growth by leveraging automation at a hyper-local scale. Orders are placed online through established retailers (whether using their existing eCommerce platform or Takeoff’s customized UI solution) and Takeoff’s automated technology fulfills the order using robots in Micro Fulfilment Centers. The company’s robotics technology is proven and ready to deploy thanks to Takeoff’s exclusivity agreement with Knapp, a leading global provider of automated warehouse solutions. By leveraging automated Micro Fulfillment Centers, Takeoff’s innovative model operates at a much lower cost-to-serve than other eCommerce platforms, solving for both the cost of assembling the order and cost of the last mile. This results in savings for both shoppers and retail partners. For more information visit www.takeoff.com.
About Wakefern Food Corp.:
From a small, local cooperative that began with eight grocery store owners, Wakefern Food Corp. has grown into the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States. Founded in 1946, the cooperative comprises 50 members who today independently own and operate 353 supermarkets under the ShopRite, The Fresh Grocer, Price Rite Marketplace and Dearborn Market banners in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Virginia. Together with its member companies, Wakefern employs more than 70,000 people, and is one of the largest employers in New Jersey. For more information, please visit www.wakefern.com.
Media Contacts:
Takeoff Technologies:
Kirstin Robison, +1-480-3635371
Wakefern:
Karen.O’Shea@wakefern.com, 732-906-5932
Daniel.Emmer@wakefern.com, 732-906-5216
