Coles Kemps Creek Automated Distribution Center

Project Overview

Coles has reached a major milestone with the opening of their second Automated Distribution Center (ADC) in Kemps Creek, New South Wales, following the successful implementation of their first ADC in Redbank, Queensland the previous year. Together, these two facilities represent more than $1 billion invested by Coles in world-class technology in Australia, making them among the largest of their kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

This new ADC in Western Sydney is part of Coles' strategy to help Australians eat and live better every day, with a specific focus on delivering consistently for the future. The facility supports Coles' pillar of securing their supply chain and making their business more resilient against future challenges.

The opening coincides with increased investment in New South Wales, particularly in Western Sydney, complementing other strategic investments including a milk processing facility at Erskine Park and a new customer fulfillment center for Coles online orders at Wetherill Park.

Technical Solution

Large-Scale Automated Facility

The Kemps Creek ADC spans an impressive 187,000 square meters, equivalent to 25 rugby league fields. This massive scale makes it the largest ambient distribution center that Witron has built anywhere in the world, demonstrating the significant commitment to automation in grocery distribution.

Key Features

The facility's massive 187,000 square meter footprint represents the largest ambient distribution centers Witron has built globally, demonstrating the scale of Coles' investment in Australian supply chain infrastructure.

The system processes 4 million cartons weekly (32 million products) using automation technology that tailors deliveries to specific store layouts, creating aisle-friendly replenishment that improves in-store efficiency.

The comprehensive automation eliminates approximately 16 million kilograms of manual handling every week, significantly improving workplace safety for the 350 Coles team members and 160 Witron team members operating the facility.

Results & Benefits

Based on the Queensland ADC's performance, customers can expect a 20% improvement in product availability compared to other stores, demonstrating the tangible benefits of automated distribution on retail shelf availability.

Improved pick accuracy reduces waste and enhances efficiency in stores, as the Witron technology enables precise, store-specific deliveries that align with retail shelf layouts and replenishment requirements.

The investment represents a strategic commitment to supply chain resilience, reducing risk and increasing certainty for long-term business sustainability while supporting economic growth in Western Sydney.

Challenges & Solutions

The challenge of delivering consistently for the future and securing supply chain resilience was addressed through the $1 billion investment in world-class automated distribution centers with Witron technology, creating a transformative supply chain infrastructure.

Improving efficiency, accuracy, and product availability across stores was achieved through automation technology that tailors store-specific deliveries, ensuring products reach stores in formats optimized for shelf replenishment.

System Integrator

Witron served as the system integrator, bringing global expertise from building similar facilities for major retailers like Walmart, Kroger, and Mercadona across 13 different countries. Their partnership with Coles has resulted in the largest ADCs of their kind in the Southern Hemisphere, fundamentally transforming not only distribution center processes but also enhancing efficiency and product availability in Coles stores nationwide.