Walmart to Launch 4 “Next-Generation” Fulfillment Centers

Walmart (Bentonville, Ark.) announced its plans to open four “next generation” fulfillment centers over the course of three years, according to a company press announcement. The centers will employee more than 4000 workers and feature automation, robotics and machine learning.

Partnering with Knapp (Cobb County, Ga.) to develop the concept’s automated and high-density storage system, the mass merchant has reportedly been perfecting the system through its fulfillment center in Pedricktown, N.J.

“Most impressively, these four next generation [fulfillment centers] (FCs) alone could provide 75 percent of the U.S. population with next- or two-day shipping on millions of items, including marketplace items shipped by Walmart Fulfillment Services,” wrote David Guggina, Senior VP of Innovation and Automation, Walmart, in the announcement. “Combined with our traditional FCs, we can reach 95 percent of the U.S. population with next- or two-day shipping, and by making use of the expansive reach of our stores, we can offer same-day delivery to 80 percent of the U.S. population. These four next generation facilities will also collectively employ more than 4,000 associates while introducing brand new tech-focused jobs like control technicians, quality audit analysts and flow managers.”

The first fulfillment center will open in Joliet, Ill., this summer.