Johannes Meißner, technical director of the automation provider Witron, views the function of modern warehouses as an "integral component" of the customer's supply chain in several senses. And, as with Jumbo in Nieuwegein, he also aims for harmonious processes.
J. Meissner
An interesting concept that also incorporates decentralized thinking. Since mid-2024, Jumbo, the second-largest Dutch food retailer, has been operating a highly automated fresh produce logistics center in Nieuwegein, Netherlands, which helps determine the pace of the entire supply chain without taking the leading position.
Logistics centers redefined
At their National Distribution Center, Jumbo and Witron are presenting a concept that they believe redefines modern logistics centers. The focus is on speed, availability, and agility. The 40,000- square-meter facility supplies over 725 stores in the Netherlands and Belgium with nearly 3,000 different fresh and ultra-fresh products. The assortment includes dairy products, a wide selection of cheeses, meat products, tapas, salads, chilled beverages, and much more.
Conveyor technology fully networked
can be picked daily using the Order Picking Machinery OPM (30 Case Order Machines COM), All-in-One (AIO), and Car Picking System (CPS) modules , over 1 million units , a fully automated outbound buffer optimizes the dispatch of the store- ready roll containers to the markets.
The “true pacesetter”
The fresh produce distribution center is already the second project that Jumbo has successfully implemented together with Witron. This followed the construction of a high-performance dry goods distribution center, where from a range of 14,300 items on a peak day using OPM (31 COM machines), DPS and CPS up to 565,000 retail units can be picked
All-in-One (AIO)
The Dutch retail group Jumbo faced a number of challenges that necessitated the construction of one of Europe's most ambitious logistics platforms. These included the anticipated future labor shortage, growing product ranges in the dry goods and fresh produce sectors, increasing consumer demands – especially for fresh products – and the speed at which customers want to access goods via the stores and the online shop.
Mechanical engineering and IT from a single source
The highly automated fresh produce logistics center in Nieuwegein, planned and implemented by Witron as a lifetime partner, now forms the heart of a supply chain that is intended to be more networked, more agile, and closer to the customer than ever before. The consumer, it is said, is "the true pacesetter."
Distribution center in Nieuwegein
The central warehouse for fresh produce (CDC) is now designed for a peak capacity of more than 1.06 million picking units per day. According to the overall concept, a modular expansion for future growth is already planned. All logistics areas are interconnected comprising more than 670,000 pallet, tray, and container storage locations, as well as 120 stacker cranes. Everything is controlled by a highly functional warehouse management system. All IT and mechanical components were developed, manufactured, and commissioned by Witron .
New role of the warehouse
Especially in the ultra-fresh sector, precise timing is crucial. Temperature, daily business, and weather conditions are all factors that directly influence volume. "For us, agility means being able to react very quickly to changing demands. If the weather changes , demand changes. We have to be able to respond to that," explains de Jong. "The freshness of the products must reach the consumer directly at their dining table – and not be sitting in a warehouse."
Karel de Jong
“Today, the warehouse is no longer an independent entity, but rather an interconnected organ within the supply chain ‘orchestra,’” says Johannes Meißner. “The distribution center is no longer a separate system, but an integral part of our customers’ operations. This is the only way to truly optimize supply chains .” As a result, the warehouse’s function shifts from mere consolidation and buffering to a crucial control instrument. Karel de Jong adds, “The distribution center isn’t the conductor. The customer is the conductor.” He metaphorically describes the warehouse as the “first violin” in a harmonious supply chain orchestra—important, leading, setting the tone, but not in a dominant position.
Technology in XXL format
The Nieuwegein logistics hub, with its dry and fresh produce distribution center, is one of Witron's largest projects worldwide. It features more than 60 COM machines, over 1.1 million storage locations for pallets, trays, and containers, approximately 200 stacker cranes, and a maximum capacity of 1.6 million picks per day. The Upper Palatinate-based company relies on proven technology, including OPM, AIO, CPS, and the outbound buffer .
Pick-by-Light
All items are delivered to the branches on roll containers, so seamless interaction between the subsystems is essential to ensure maximum consolidation and compaction. As de Jong puts it: “The key isn’t the next machine. The key to success lies in a precisely coordinated overall concept with a crucial role for the machine operators and the shift supervisor team.”
Good introduction to the team
According to the company, Jumbo employees were able to prepare very well for their new tasks – moving away from manual processes and towards an automated production operation. In coordination with Witron, it was possible to examine future activities in Witron-implemented systems in detail and exchange information with users. "Due to the large number of projects implemented in Europe, North America, and Australia, we can provide our customers with comprehensive support on the important topic of change management," adds Meißner.
Walking distances minimized
Jumbo implemented lean principles with its Jumbo Production System (JPS), including shop floor transparency, shift stand-ups, and largely independent problem-solving by employees. A central control meeting takes place once a day in the heart of the production center – not in an office, but right on the shop floor. "Here, colleagues analyze the past day and discuss the tasks and goals for the upcoming shift. If this half hour goes well, it will be a good day," says de Jong.
Completely on track
Jumbo views its supply chain as an end-to-end network structure rather than a collection of individual warehouses. The integration of branches, networking with suppliers, optimization of transport routes, and automation – including in e-commerce, which is still currently manual – are essential components of its future strategic direction. Johannes Meißner: "Automation was the foundation. Now the phase of holistic optimization begins ."
