Uniqlo owner forms partnership with Daifuku

Fast Retailing, the company behind fashion brand Uniqlo, has formed a partnership with Daifuku aimed at establishing comprehensive logistics services over the medium to long term.

The two companies already have a relationship following the automation of Fast Retailing’s Ariake warehouse.

The two companies plan to evaluate the current status of distribution, and “develop innovative and revolutionary logistics systems to deliver products to customers faster”.

They have agreed a number of specific measures, including:

* Introduction of state-of-the-art automation facilities. The partners will develop and build the world’s most advanced automation facilities with the aim of full automation of Fast Retailing Group brand warehouses in Japan and overseas.

* Formation of a special team. The partners will form a special team comprising members from both companies for the planning, implementation, and maintenance of fully automated Fast Retailing Group brand warehouses in Japan and overseas, with the aim of establishing a better logistics environment.

* Comprehensive set of measures for introduction of automation facilities. The partners will pursue a comprehensive set of measures encompassing all processes for the introduction of automation facilities, including design, devices, procurement of materials and specialized staff, construction, and trial operation, with the aim of achieving the introduction of automation in the shortest possible timeframe.

* Cooperation in logistics system development. To maximize the productivity of automation facilities, Fast Retailing and Daifuku will plan and implement new logistics systems unconstrained by conventional thinking, along with the development of systems necessary to achieve it.

The Fast Retailing Group turned over almost 1.9 trillion yen last year and has set itself a target of 3 trillion yen (£20.3 billion) in net sales.