Fast Retailing Announces Expansion of Strategic Global Partnership to Strengthen Supply Chain Transformation
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
NEWS Fast Retailing Announces Expansion of Strategic Global Partnership to Strengthen Supply Chain Transformation MUJIN and Exotec Solutions join first member DAIFUKU November 13, 2019, Tokyo, Japan - Fast Retailing today announces that it has concluded strategic global partnership agreements with MUJIN Inc., a Japanese intelligent industrial robot controller manufacturer, and Exotec Solutions SAS, a French robotics solutions provider. These accords expand the alliance initiated in October 2018 with DAIFUKU Co., Ltd., a worldwide leader in materials handling systems. Commenting on today’s announcement, Takuya Jimbo, Group Executive Vice President of Fast Retailing, said, “Fast Retailing is pleased today to welcome two new partners to an alliance we created a year ago. We will draw on the outstanding ability and experience of all three partners to strengthen our supply chain by stepping up our warehouse automation and global transformation.” He added, “Placing customers at the heart of our business means delivering the right products that meet the real needs of customers, at the right price, in the right quantities, in the right place and at the right time. This is something we aim to be the first company in the world to achieve.” Initiatives under the Strategic Global Partnership 1.) Further automate warehousing Apparel picking automation is challenging because of the nature and variety of items. Fast Retailing will accelerate warehouse automation by working with MUJIN to develop and internationally deploy picking robots employing artificial intelligence-based motion planning. 2.) Globally deploy automated warehousing Working with DAIFUKU from last year, Fast Retailing has begun to automate two warehouses in Japan and another two abroad. In addition, Fast Retailing looks to initially automate one facility each with MUJIN and Exotec Solutions internationally, and will thereafter expand such endeavors. 3.) Expand strategic partnerships and fast-track hiring Fast Retailing will build an unparalleled supply chain by expanding alliances with companies that have advanced technologies, while recruiting experts to spearhead supply chain reforms. https://www.fastretailing.com/employment/en/fastretailing/jp/career/scm/ ##### About Fast Retailing Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. is a leading Japanese retail holding company with global headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. UNIQLO is the largest of eight brands in the Fast Retailing Group, the others being GU, Theory, Helmut Lang, PLST (Plus T), Comptoir des Cotonniers, Princesse tam.tam and J Brand. With global sales of approximately 2.2905 trillion yen for the 2019 fiscal year ending August 31, 2019 (US $21.53 billion, calculated in yen using the end of August 2019 rate of $1 = 106.4 yen), Fast Retailing is one of the world’s largest apparel retail companies, and UNIQLO is Japan’s leading special retailer. Fast Retailing is dedicated to creating great clothing with new and unique value to enrich the lives of people everywhere, reflected in its corporate statement of Changing clothes. Changing conventional wisdom. Change the world. For more information about UNIQLO and Fast Retailing, please visit www.uniqlo.com and www.fastretailing.com. 1 About DAIFUKU Co., Ltd. Founded in 1937, Daifuku Co., Ltd. is the world's leading provider of material handling systems to the factory and distribution, cleanroom, automotive, airport, and general industry markets. The company has established a total support system ranging from consulting to after-sales services. DAIFUKU is headquartered in Osaka, Japan, with production and sales bases 26 countries and regions. About MUJIN, Inc. MUJIN, Inc. develops and sells intelligent robot controllers, which are designated as a common platform for industrial robots. Although suitable for automating repetitive work, conventional robots were difficult to install in environments where products and surroundings are liable to change, due to differences in manufacturing operations and complex settings. MUJIN solved this challenge using motion planning technology, and the company is providing solutions to automate both simple and heavy work done by humans in the fields of logistics and manufacturing. For more information on Mujin, please visit https://www.mujin.co.jp/en/ About Exotec Solutions SAS Exotec Solutions SAS designs an ultra-innovative robotic system to optimize order preparation for e-merchants. Founded in 2015 by Romain Moulin and Renaud Heitz, Exotec has brought a surge of innovation and changed the rules of intralogistics by offering e-retailers an agile solution that adapts to their growth, while offering performance equivalent to market giants. For media queries, please contact Fast Retailing Global Corporate PR Aldo Liguori and Pei Chi Tung on Tel. +81 3 6865 0960. 2 .