Logistics automation driven by EC expansion

「The company also began introducing devanning robots, or unloading robots, aiming to fundamentally improve the workplace environment and reduce labor requirements through automation.」

「株式会社ホームロジスティクス and EDION Corporation began collaborating on joint delivery of household appliances transported along the main route from Kawasaki to Sendai, with the aim of improving both companies’ logistics efficiency and reducing environmental impact. The companies have also begun operating double-trailer trucks for long-distance transportation between delivery centers to address driver shortages under the logistics “2024 problem,” reduce environmental impact and improve logistics efficiency.」

「To address driver shortages under the logistics “2024 problem,” reduce environmental impact and improve logistics efficiency, the company began operating double-trailer trucks for long-distance transportation between delivery centers.」

「The company introduced Fujitsu Limited’s delivery optimization technology into the dispatching system it operates, began full-scale deployment at delivery centers nationwide, and improved delivery efficiency by optimizing delivery routes through the digital transformation of last-mile delivery.」

「The company is also taking measures to address the so-called “2024 problem,” combining the expansion of domestic container transportation and its own logistics network handling last-mile delivery with relay transportation, modal shifts, reviews of delivery frequency and changes to loading and unloading times.」

「We are promoting a logistics strategy project aimed at optimizing logistics functions across the entire supply chain, from upstream to downstream, and advancing the optimal placement and consolidation of functions at distribution center locations. During the cumulative second-quarter consolidated period, construction began on the Fukuoka distribution center in September 2023.」

「The Ishikari DC, the first project under the logistics strategy project aimed at optimizing logistics functions across the network, was completed in May 2022, and began supplying products within Hokkaido in September. The Kobe DC, completed in November, is scheduled to begin operations in March 2023.」

「The Ishikari Distribution Center, the first phase of the logistics strategy project, was completed in May 2022, and product supply within Hokkaido will begin in September. Construction also began on the Nagoya Distribution Center in July and the Satte Distribution Center in August, both of which are scheduled to begin operations in the following fiscal year or later.」

「For the domestic logistics network, we will focus on the optimal placement and functional consolidation of distribution center bases, with operations, the development of shipping and delivery networks, and business process reform as key initiatives, and will make large-scale strategic investments of more than ¥200 billion over 5 years as measures for the future.」

「Following the start of construction of the Ishikari DC, the company began construction of the Kobe DC as a new base serving wide-area deliveries in the Kansai region. It is working to expand inbound and outbound processing capacity in line with shipment volumes and reduce costs amid accelerated store openings and growing EC demand accompanying changes in customers’ lifestyles, aiming to optimize logistics functions across the group. As part of efforts to strengthen the supply chain, a group subsidiary obtained a general freight motor transportation business license and began domestic container transportation.」

「The company began a logistics strategy project in the previous consolidated fiscal year, centered on optimizing the location of and consolidating functions at logistics bases, with total investment of more than ¥200 billion through 2025. As its first step, it began construction of the Ishikari DC, a new logistics base, while also moving the existing Osaka DC and consolidating the functions of shipping centers responsible for dispatching products, thereby restructuring its domestic logistics bases. As part of efforts to strengthen the supply chain, a group subsidiary obtained a general freight motor transportation business license and began initiatives to bring domestic container transportation in-house.」

「However, the impact of COVID-19 continues to be unpredictable in some regions, so the company will continue pursuing improvements.」

「Going forward, the company aims to evolve its existing logistics network by establishing its own logistics centers, minimize inventory transfers such as long-distance transportation, reduce rental costs by bringing DC operations in-house, and achieve further operational efficiency through the introduction of material-handling systems.」

「As a logistics initiative to improve the working environment, the company began full-scale operations of swap-body container transportation.」

「As a logistics initiative to improve the working environment, the company conducted trial operations of relay transportation using swap-body containers. Relay transportation was carried out between the Kanto DC in Shiraoka, Saitama, and the Kansai DC in Kobe, Hyogo, with Connect Area Hamamatsu in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, serving as the relay point. Separating transportation operations from cargo handling made it possible to reduce working hours and helped ease the burden on drivers.」

「As part of its response to labor shortages and increased logistics demand resulting from the expanding e-commerce market, the company jointly developed and introduced the “EL-De/VAN” devanning assist machine with Murata Machinery, Ltd. to reduce the workload involved in loading and unloading products from containers.」

「In logistics, to address labor shortages and increased demand caused by the expanding e-commerce market, the company began operating “Butler®,” an automated guided robot that analyzes inbound and outbound inventory information and automatically transports product-storage racks to workers at the West Japan Mail-Order Shipping Center. At the Osaka DC, it also jointly developed and introduced a devanning assist machine with Murata Machinery, Ltd. The machine reduces the workload involved in loading and unloading products from containers by moving dedicated work platforms vertically and swiveling them from side to side.」

「株式会社ホームロジスティクス, which handles our group’s logistics operations, received the Logistics Rationalization Effort Award at the All-Japan Logistics Improvement Case Conference 2017, hosted by the Japan Institute of Logistics Systems, in recognition of the effects of introducing “swap-body containers.”」

「At the “Mail-Order Shipping Center” in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, the high-density “robotic warehouse” developed to create a workplace that is considerate of employees received the 2016 Good Design Award in the commercial interiors and interior products category.」

「The company is focusing on reducing logistics costs, which have risen in recent years amid the driver shortage, by introducing “swap-body container trucks” with detachable cargo beds, bringing loading and unloading in-house, improving vehicle utilization and increasing transportation volumes.」

「The high-density robotic warehouse “AutoStore,” introduced in Japan for the first time in February at the “Mail-Order Shipping Center” in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, where handling volumes have increased with the expanded use of the EC site, began operations. This has significantly shortened the time required for tasks such as picking products and improved accuracy. The company also introduced the “BOX ON DEMAND” automatic carton-cutting machine at the same time, improving operational efficiency while working to improve the working environment」