ASKO Oslofjord Automated Distribution Center

Project Overview

ASKO Oslofjord AS faced significant capacity constraints at their current location due to market growth, presenting them with two potential solutions: either rebuild or extend their existing warehouse, or construct a completely new facility on another plot. Recognizing the need for future-ready logistics infrastructure, the company made the strategic decision to rebuild with a fully automated distribution center rather than opting for a manual warehouse solution.

The project was driven by the clear recognition that future operational requirements would demand automation to achieve high efficiency, high quality, and effective goods production for customers. This proactive approach addressed both immediate capacity constraints and long-term strategic needs for the retail company.

Sustainability formed a core component of the project vision, with ASKO aiming for climate neutrality through renewable energy usage and innovative energy recovery systems integrated into the facility design.

Technical Solution

High-Level Process Automation

The facility achieves between 80-90% automation across all processes, representing a comprehensive transformation from manual operations to automated workflows. This high level of automation enables efficient receiving, storage, picking, and delivery operations while maintaining quality standards.

Key Features

The facility achieves exceptional automation levels with 80-90% of processes automated, providing the high efficiency and quality production capabilities that ASKO identified as essential for future operations.

The innovative heat recovery system demonstrates advanced sustainability practices, using excess heat from temperature-controlled zones to warm other areas of the facility, reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.

The comprehensive turn-key solution includes all necessary components from logistics concept development and design planning through to construction and system implementation, ensuring complete operational readiness.

Results & Benefits

The proactive approach to capacity constraints has positioned ASKO to handle market growth effectively, with the automated facility providing scalable operations that support future expansion requirements.

High efficiency and quality production for customers is achieved through the automated processes, ensuring consistent service levels and product availability for ASKO's retail operations.

Progress toward ambitious sustainability goals is demonstrated through the energy recovery systems and commitment to achieving 100% renewable or climate-neutral energy consumption by 2026.

Challenges & Solutions

The capacity constraints at the current location coupled with market growth demands presented a significant operational challenge. The solution involved rebuilding with a fully automated facility rather than extending existing manual operations, creating a future-proof logistics infrastructure.

The need for future-ready automation solutions to achieve high efficiency and quality standards was addressed through the implementation of high-level automation covering 80-90% of all processes, transforming manual workflows into efficient automated operations.

System Integrator

SSI Schaefer served as the general contractor and system integrator, responsible for developing the complete logistics concept, design planning, and construction of the turn-key installation. Their comprehensive approach ensured all aspects of the project - from material flow management and visualization systems to warehouse management - were seamlessly integrated to create a fully functional automated distribution center for ASKO's retail operations.