Lee Valley Tools has launched a an automated micro-fulfillment centre in the Ottawa area.

Known as the Auto-Store, the centre condenses 36,000 square feet of picking locations into 6,000 sf and features 18,000 bin locations and 42 shuttles for product retrieval. The consolidation will free up space for more manufacturing activity, said the company. The new centre is located in Lee Valley’s 150,000-sf distribution warehouse in Carp, Ont.

“The opening of Auto-Store is more than a business decision; it’s a commitment to our roots here in Ottawa and prosperity for the Canadian economy,” said Jason Tasse, Lee Valley’s president and CEO, in a news release.

The modernized operations will enhance business operations and production during peak shopping periods, reduce handling times and increase order efficiency, said the company.

“By investing in manufacturing and automation, we are strengthening our foundation and helping employees with tasks that involve undesirable work like repetitive lifting and walking all day,” said Tasse.

Lee Valley is an Ottawa-based manufacturer, distributor and retailer.

Photo: CNW Group/Lee Valley Tools

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