A Seegrid automated guided vehicle

Robotic vision-guided automated guided vehicle (AGV) producer Seegrid Corp is linking with supermarket co-operative Topco Associates LLC.

"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," says Anthony Horbal, chief executive officer of Seegrid in Pittsburgh.

Topco Associates of Elk Grove Village, Illinois has more than 50 member-owners that collectively represent more than USD120 billion in sales and thousands of stores. Topco provides member-owners with procurement, quality assurance, packaging and other services and distributes all of its earnings back to member-owners based on level of participation.

Topco's indirect spend solutions team will work with Seegrid to roll out the program, which involves use of pallet trucks, tow tractors, and walkie stackers with vision-based navigation systems that operate without laser targets, floor transponders or magnetic tape. "The Seegrid solution provides members with a competitive advantage to reduce costs and improve bottom-line performance," says Dave Picarillo, Topco senior vice president.

Seegrid says that supermarket chains have been operating its vehicles in retail support centres for almost five years. Among the users, Topco member Giant Eagle Inc of Pittsburgh has 218 supermarket locations.

"Incorporating the Seegrid robots in the retail support centre operation has allowed us to improve dock-to-stock speed and productivity," says Joseph Hurley, Giant Eagle senior vice president of distribution and logistics.