ATLANTA, July 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co.
(NYSE: KR), America's largest grocery retailer, and Ocado (LSE:
OCDO), one of the world's largest dedicated online grocery
retailers, today announced plans for a new high-tech customer
fulfillment center (CFC) in Forest Park,
Georgia, a $55 million
investment that will create more than 400 new jobs.
"Kroger is incredibly excited to construct one of our
industry-leading Customer Fulfillment Centers in Forest Park—a city
south of Atlanta—through our relationship with Ocado," said
Robert Clark, Kroger's senior vice
president of supply chain, manufacturing and sourcing. "Through our
strategic partnership, we are leveraging advanced robotics
technology and creative solutions to redefine the customer
experience across America."
Kroger has committed to building 20 CFCs, powered by Ocado, to
accelerate its ability to provide customers with anything, anytime
and anywhere. The CFC model – an automated warehouse facility with
digital and robotic capabilities, also known as a "shed" – will be
replicated to serve customers across America. Last month, Kroger
broke ground on America's first CFC, which is being constructed in
Monroe, Ohio.
"Kroger and Ocado's first customer fulfillment center in Metro
Atlanta will transform the ecommerce experience for customers in
the region," said Luke Jensen, CEO
of Ocado Solutions. "In a fast-developing landscape for grocery
retail, Kroger's determination to continue delivering the best
experience for its customers, online as in stores, is
unparalleled."
"The new facility will provide Kroger the ability to bring
customers across the coverage area fresher food faster than ever
before," said Tim Brown, president
of Kroger's Atlanta division. "I'm
thrilled the Atlanta market was
selected as one of the 20 CFC sites, and this location is a tribute
to the commitment and enthusiasm Kroger has for the City of Forest Park, Clayton County and State of Georgia."
"I am so excited that Kroger and Ocado are bringing this
facility to Forest Park," said
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. "Georgia has emerged as a hub for technology
and innovation, and with access to our unrivaled logistics
infrastructure and skilled workforce, I have no doubt that this new
distribution center will allow Kroger to carry its operations to
new heights."
"On behalf of the governing body and residents of Forest Park, I want to thank Kroger and Ocado
for trusting the great City of Forest
Park with their investment. We look forward to nurturing and
growing this relationship into a limitless future," said
Forest Park Mayor Angelyne Butler. "In my State of the City
Address, I told all present that 'It was a New Day in Forest Park' and it is our time to 'Operate in
Our Promise.' A promise of economic and social prosperity for the
entire city. It is partnerships like this that affirm we are one
step closer to our Promise."
"Having Kroger's new customer fulfillment center in Forest Park is not only great for the
Forest Park community but also for
Clayton County and the Atlanta
Metro South area," says Forest Park City Manager Angela Redding.
"This announcement by Kroger and Ocado is a testament to the
strength of Georgia's business
climate and the draw of our talent and logistics," said GDEcD
Commissioner Pat Wilson. "We are
looking forward to watching the success of this new facility as
they ramp up operations in Georgia."
"Kroger thanks Georgia Governor
Brian Kemp, Forest Park and Clayton County officials for their tremendous
support of this project," added Clark. "We're eager to transform
the grocery experience for our customers through innovation and
ingenuity."
The Forest Park CFC will be located at 2000 Anvil Block Road in
the Gillem Logistics Center and occupy 375,000 square feet. The CFC
is scheduled to break ground later this year and be operational in
2021.
To view video and photography of a CFC, visit here.
About Kroger
At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are
dedicated to our Purpose: to Feed the Human Spirit™. We are
nearly half a million associates who serve over 11 million
customers daily through a seamless digital shopping experience and
2,761 retail food stores under a variety of banner names, serving
America through food inspiration and uplift, and creating
#ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To learn more about us,
visit our newsroom and investor relations site.
About Ocado Solutions
Ocado Solutions is responsible for corporate partnerships,
providing the Ocado Smart Platform (OSP) as a service to retailers
around the world. OSP comprises access to Ocado's physical
infrastructure solutions, running highly efficient warehouse
operations for the single pick of products, together with the
entire end-to-end proprietary software applications required to
operate a world class online grocery business. It is underpinned by
Ocado's proven expertise and experience as a dedicated online
grocer in the UK.
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SOURCE The Kroger Co.