General Mills is increasing its truckload utilization as service levels have rebounded and it looks to optimize its logistics network, the company told Supply Chain Dive.
The action comes as the company takes several steps to improve its warehouse and logistics network. The company has also increased digitization in its supply chain to provide real-time guidance for product deployment and increased warehouse automation, according to spokesperson Mollie Wulff.
The projects are part of an "ongoing analysis and evaluation of the logistics network to ensure the network remains optimized in a rapidly changing environment," Wulff said.
CEO Jeff Harmening had said in a June earnings call the company's warehouse and logistics networks were "sub-optimized to service the business."
Wulff\said General Mills has installed warehouse automation features in four locations so far, with several other projects in the works. The projects include adding “cutting edge unique layer picking” technology to facilities, which allows companies to leverage mixed-SKU pallets in their operations.
Warehouse automation has been widely adopted across various sectors such as the grocery retail space. Associated Foods teamed up with Symbotic to add a warehouse automated system and fleet of vision-enabled, autonomic robots to pick and pack products. Earlier this year, Sam’s Club announced it was expanding its use of automated fulfillment and distribution centers using robotics
