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The Home Depot announced it has acquired SIMPL Automation, a Waltham, Massachusetts-based automation and technology systems company.
SIMPL uses advanced engineering and AI to help distribution facilities operate faster and more efficiently. Its technology furthers the company’s strategy of same-day/next-day fulfillment while also improving safety and increasing speed, so distribution center associates can work smarter, not harder.
The acquisition follows a successful pilot at The Home Depot’s Locust Grove, Georgia, distribution center, where it drove faster pick speed, faster cycle times and fewer product touches. It also has a patented storage and retrieval solution that helps maximize storage density, allowing The Home Depot to house a broader assortment of high-demand products closer to the customer, which allows faster, more seamless delivery and expanded product availability.
“We’re focused on providing the best interconnected experience in home improvement by having products in stock and ready to deliver to our customers, whether it’s to the home or jobsite,” said Amit Kalra, senior vice president of supply chain at The Home Depot. “By bringing SIMPL’s industry-leading automation into our operations, we’re accelerating the flow of products through our distribution network to deliver with unprecedented speed and precision.”
