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Wakefern, Takeoff Technologies Open Automated E-Commerce Center

Takeoff Technologies

Last updated on March 25th, 2021 at 07:23 pm

Takeoff Technologies and Wakefern Food Corp. have teamed up to launch an automated micro-fulfillment center (MFC) in Clifton, New Jersey.

With Takeoff, orders are placed online through retailers—whether using their existing e-commerce platform or Takeoff’s customized UI solution—and Takeoff’s automated technology fulfills the order using robots in MFCs.  Takeoff utilizes advanced robotics in the MFC, where orders of up to 60 grocery items can be assembled in minutes, increasing efficiency and ensuring customers get their online orders quickly.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Wakefern to help make their eGrocery service even better,” said Jose Aguerrevere, CEO and co-founder of Takeoff Technologies in Waltham, Massachusetts. “Our hyperlocal approach and technology results in lower packaging costs and high last-mile efficiency.”

Keasbey, New Jersey-based Wakefern, the largest retailer-owned grocery cooperative in the U.S., offers grocery e-commerce through its ShopRite from Home program. The new fulfillment center will serve select ShopRites operated by Wakefern member Inserra Supermarkets in north Jersey and New York.

Steve P. Henig, Wakefern’s VP of digital commerce and analytics, said, “We are excited to partner with Takeoff Technologies to see how their hyperlocal automation technology will benefit our cooperative, retail members and shoppers.”

“Our eGrocery automation is a turn-key, scalable solution that uses robotics to unlock convenience for shoppers without the need to charge extra fees,” said Max Pedro, co-founder and president of Takeoff. “It’s a win-win for grocers and shoppers.”

Takeoff Technologies and Wakefern have an agreement in place to open additional sites in the future.

Takeoff has an exclusivity agreement with Knapp, a global provider of automated warehouse solutions.

About the author

Lorrie Griffith

Senior Content Creator

Lorrie began covering the supermarket and foodservice industries at Shelby Publishing in 1988, an English major fresh out of the University of Georgia. She began as an editorial assistant/proofreader (and continues to proofread everything, everywhere, in spite of herself). She spent three-plus decades with Shelby in various editorial roles, and after a detour into business development, rejoined Shelby in June 2024. "It's good to be back covering the greatest industry in the world," she says.

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