Mitsubishi Shokuhin Co., Ltd., IHI Logistics Industrial Systems Co., Ltd., and Exotec have jointly implemented an automated logistics system at Mitsubishi Shokuhin’s Soka FSDC (Food Service Distribution Center) and today announced the commencement of full-scale operations.
The facility is dedicated to the wholesale of commercial food ingredients and materials. The ambient-temperature area features Skypod®, Exotec’s three-dimensional, high-speed picking system, marking the first deployment of its kind in Japan’s food wholesale industry. The frozen area is equipped with Shuttle & Server®, IHI Logistics Industrial Systems’ automated case storage system.
Skypod is a warehouse automation solution that employs the Goods-to-Person method, in which robots move freely up and down within racks to pick items and transport them directly to the operator’s workstation. At this facility, the system handles ambient-temperature food ingredients, alcoholic beverages, and materials, reducing the time workers spend walking and searching for products, and improving both the efficiency and accuracy of picking operations. In the frozen area, the Shuttle & Server automates storage and outbound operations in low-temperature environments, reducing workload and the need for manual labor.
Through the implementation of this system, Mitsubishi Shokuhin aims to enhance shipping capacity, ensure consistent operational quality, and optimize labor requirements in its e-commerce logistics operations for commercial food ingredients and materials, establishing a logistics infrastructure capable of supporting future business growth.
Background:
This facility is the third center in Mitsubishi Shokuhin’s wholesale business for commercial food ingredients and materials serving small and medium-sized restaurants. At existing facilities, a voice picking system was in use, with warehouse staff manually picking approximately 13,000 products while moving through storage areas guided by voice instructions. However, as labor shortages have become increasingly severe and improving working conditions has grown in importance, addressing the persistent operational challenges of distribution center work became essential to sustaining long-term business growth.
As part of a medium-to-long-term strategy that goes beyond immediate productivity gains and on-site problem-solving, Mitsubishi Shokuhin set out to build a logistics infrastructure capable of maintaining competitiveness through 2040 and delivering consistent service to its customers. To achieve this, the company decided to deploy Skypod in the ambient-temperature area and Shuttle & Server in the frozen area.
Going forward, Mitsubishi Shokuhin will continue working to create a sustainable working environment, build a logistics infrastructure capable of stable 365-day operations, and accumulate distinctive operational expertise. By staying attuned to advances in technology and changes in the broader social landscape, the company aims to realize a next-generation distribution center capable of responding flexibly to the challenges ahead.
About Mitsubishi Shokuhin
Mitsubishi Shokuhin is a comprehensive food trading company handling processed foods, chilled and frozen foods, alcoholic beverages, confectionery, and more, sourced both domestically and internationally. Leveraging a nationwide logistics network and diverse sales channels, the company provides products and services to a wide range of customers, including retailers, the food service industry, and manufacturers.
The company also offers solutions that combine logistics capabilities, product development, marketing, and digital technologies to support the optimization of the entire supply chain. Additionally, Mitsubishi Shokuhin is advancing its logistics operations through cutting-edge AI technologies, with the aim of achieving sustainable food distribution and creating new value.
For more information, please visit the company website: www.mitsubishi-shokuhin.com/
About IHI Logistics Industrial Systems
IHI Logistics Industrial Systems is a solution provider offering a comprehensive range of logistics and factory automation (FA) equipment. With an extensive track record, the company delivers wide-ranging solutions spanning hardware for storage, sorting, picking, and transport, as well as the information systems that control them. Going beyond simple equipment supply, the company also focuses on system proposals that pursue logistics optimization, combining flow path design, Warehouse Management System (WMS)/Warehouse Execution System (WES), and simulation to design optimal operations. Furthermore, the company provides consistent support throughout the customer lifecycle, from post-implementation operational optimization to ongoing maintenance services.
For more information, please visit the company website: https://ihi-logistics.com/
About Exotec
Exotec provides sophisticated goods-to-person warehouse robotics solutions to world-leading brands. The company combines best-in-class hardware and software to build flexible warehouse systems that improve operational efficiency and resilience, reduce the burden on warehouse workers, and improve working conditions. More than 50 industry-leading brands, including Carrefour, Decathlon, GAP, and UNIQLO, use Exotec’s solutions to improve their operations, adapt to rapidly changing business models and customer expectations, and drive revenue growth.
For more information, please visit the company website: https://www.exotec.com/