Matalan/KNAPP (Innovation)

Matalan, KNAPP and LiG have collaborated to design and implement an automated intralogistics solution at Matalan’s Knowsley distribution centre.

Featuring KNAPP’s proven OSR Shuttle Evo and pocket sorter technologies, this highly successful system has delivered major transformation for the retailer’s omnichannel supply chain and created competitive advantage.

The automation has enabled Matalan’s next-day delivery order deadline for customers to be pushed back by 6 hours and reduced the average time from order placement to delivery by 48 hours. As the project began its delivery phase, the Ukraine war sparked a global recession with a consequent fall in e-commerce demand.

In collaboration with KNAPP’s subsidiary, Dürkopp Fördertechnik (DFT), Matalan created new functionality for the pocket sorter to enable retail orders to be fulfilled by the system too.

Software modifications have enabled a system designed purely for e-commerce to become a hybrid one, providing an interim solution to meet changing consumer habits and increasing retail fulfilment efficiency for Matalan by 200%. Despite the fact that installation at this brownfield site took place during the peak pre-Christmas trading period, the project was delivered on time, within budget and with no negative impact on customer service levels for Matalan’s e-commerce operation or store network.