Seegrid and Topco Associates LLC form strategic partnership

Seegrid Corporation has announced its strategic partnership with Topco Associates LLC, a $12.3 billion cooperative and leader in the grocery/supermarket industry, to provide vision-guided automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to Topco members.

Seegrid automated pallet trucks, tow tractors, and walkie stackers are revolutionizing the unmanned transportation of goods in manufacturing and distribution facilities. Topco’s Indirect Spend Solutions team will work collaboratively with Seegrid to roll out the AGV program.

The revolutionary vision-based navigation system operates without laser targets, floor transponders, or magnetic tape. The vision navigation solution allows Topco members the flexibility to train and change routes immediately and provides an affordable automation solution.

Anthony Horbal, CEO of Seegrid, stated, “This new strategic partnership will provide Topco members, who are supermarket retailers, food wholesalers, and foodservice companies, with an innovative vision-guided flexible AGV solution that will immediately deliver cost reductions and create a competitive advantage. Seegrid products help businesses improve throughput and improve workplace and employee safety, while delivering a rapid payback.”

Supermarket chains like Topco member Giant Eagle, Inc. have been operating the Seegrid vehicles for almost five years in their retail support centers. According to Joseph Hurley, senior vice president of distribution and logistics for Giant Eagle, “Incorporating the Seegrid robots in the retail support center operation has allowed us to improve dock-to-stock speed and productivity. By providing a predefined route between pickup and drop locations, it creates a fixed time and space between product/aisle, selector, and robot. The predefined route and volumes bring considerable consistency to our operations. From an efficiency standpoint, we have reduced manned travel from putaway by 20-30% and increased hi-lift pallet per hour by 20%. The cost effectiveness that the new system incorporates has allowed us to remain successful in an extremely competitive environment and bring value to our end customers.”

Dave Picarillo, senior vice president of Topco’s indirect spend program, said, “Topco is excited to partner with the leading robotics AGV supplier to deliver an innovative solution to Topco members. The Seegrid solution provides members with a competitive advantage to reduce costs and improve bottom-line performance.”