[Report] "Robots Handle Everything Automatically"... Visiting CJ Daehan Tongun Smart Fulfillment Center

A robotic arm placing paper cushioning material into a box.
Photo by Hyunseok Yoo

[Gunpo=Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] "After introducing the smart fulfillment center, we applied optimized automation technology at each stage to eliminate unnecessary work routes. Currently, the hourly output per worker is 23.8 boxes, which is a 55% improvement compared to the conventional logistics center work method."

On the afternoon of the 14th, around 3 PM, we met with Center Director Jo Ju-hyung at the Gunpo Complex Logistics Complex located in Gunpo, Gyeonggi Province, who spoke about the advantages of CJ Logistics' smart fulfillment center.

CJ Logistics unveiled Korea's most advanced 'Smart Fulfillment Center.' Located in Gunpo, Gyeonggi Province, this center has a total floor area of 38,400㎡ (11,616 pyeong) and consists of five floors. One floor (the 2nd floor) operates as the smart floor.

Operating since December last year, this center applies cutting-edge technology optimized for e-commerce logistics to provide fulfillment services. Fulfillment is a service that collectively handles complex logistics processes such as inventory management, packaging, inspection, shipping, and delivery by jointly storing products from multiple client companies.

First, we visited the control room located on the 2nd floor. Here, the inventory status of all products, work assignments, and progress can be monitored. Director Jo said, "In particular, we check which products are in high demand at specific times and inform our client companies," adding, "This helps clients respond quickly."

Next, we moved to the 1st floor. This is the general floor where people mainly work. When product inventory arrives, weight is measured and sampling inspections are conducted. An employee explained that this process is necessary to prevent shipping errors later. Especially in one area, workers were picking ordered products one by one from the storage zone, placing them into plastic baskets, then bringing them to the work area to transfer into delivery boxes.

AGVs are moving in the picking zone of the CJ Logistics Gunpo Smart Fulfillment Center.
Photo by Yoo Hyun-seok

Returning to the 2nd floor, we were able to see the smart floor in full operation. Here, robots are busy instead of people. The robots moved sharply without colliding even in narrow spaces while performing tasks. The general sequence is as follows: when a worker calls a product via touchscreen, a picking AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) retrieves the product from the warehouse storage location.

After placing the products matching consumer orders into boxes, a transport AGV carries the boxes to the inspection zone automatically. Since the AGVs handle product and box transport, workers only need to pick, touch the screen, and scan barcodes without moving around. The center operates 101 picking AGVs and 25 transport AGVs.

Notably, this center applies the GTP (Goods-To-Person) method, where AGVs deliver products to workers, eliminating the need for workers to search for products. Also, since work is done directly in delivery boxes from the start, there is no need to transfer to other boxes. This removal of unnecessary routes and processes has improved work convenience and efficiency.

Especially, when a worker places a box brought by an AGV from the picking zone onto the conveyor, a digital scale measures the weight in real time. If the measured value is within ±5% of the pre-stored product weight data, it passes; if it exceeds, it is sorted separately. For example, if a box contains two 100g nutritional supplements and one 300g hand sanitizer, totaling 500g, a weight between 475g and 525g is accepted and automatically passes through the inspection zone. The reason for measuring weight on the 1st floor was explained as being used here.

CJ Logistics measures the volume and weight of all products entering the center and accumulates the data. When an order is placed, the system automatically calculates the total volume and weight according to the types and quantities of ordered products. This data plays a crucial role in selecting the packaging box. The system automatically assigns the most suitable box based on the product volume. Once the product is placed inside the box, a 3D vision scanner measures empty space, and a robotic arm inserts an appropriate amount of paper cushioning. Tasks such as taping and attaching shipping labels are also performed without human intervention, improving packaging productivity by about 30-40%, according to Director Jo.

The center operates a process for next-day delivery of products ordered by 24:00 and also runs logistics processes for same-day delivery. Products ordered by 10 AM are processed and sent to a dedicated same-day delivery hub terminal. Afterward, regional sorting within the Seoul area is done, and products are delivered to consumers on the same day. CJ Logistics plans to stabilize the current '24-hour order cutoff - next-day delivery' system further and expand same-day and early morning delivery services by establishing various operational processes.

CJ Logistics is providing differentiated delivery services through 'converged fulfillment,' linking fulfillment centers with nationwide parcel infrastructure. Since they offer one-stop services using their own infrastructure and network from fulfillment centers to delivery, they can deliver quickly and reliably to consumers. Jo Ju-hyung, Center Director of the Gunpo Fulfillment Center, said, "'Converged fulfillment' provides high-quality one-stop logistics services that overcome temporal and spatial constraints," adding, "Based on advanced technology and operational capabilities, we support e-commerce sellers to focus on sales and marketing and enhance delivery satisfaction for consumers."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.