SPAR International selects Solwr as preferred supplier for warehouse automation
SPAR International and Solwr have signed a strategic partnership agreement to modernise warehouse operations across the worldwide SPAR network. Already active across SPAR country organisations in Norway and the United Kingdom, the partnership reflects a shared ambition to bring greater efficiency to daily operations and improve working conditions across the warehouse.
Modernising grocery distribution
This agreement between SPAR International and Solwr includes the full product and service range, including Solwr’s mobile picking robot Grab™.
With its near plug-and-play capabilities, Grab™ is ideal for automating existing manual warehouse operations. It works alongside operators, autonomously picking items, including heavy cases up to 30 kg, directly from pick locations to pallets or roll cages, without requiring changes to existing warehouse infrastructure. The result is less heavy lifting, fewer strain injuries, and greater operational efficiency and reliability.
Proven Results across the SPAR network
The partnership builds on an established track record within the SPAR retail network, where Solwr and the Grab™ mobile picking robot already operates at four distribution sites: three with ASKO, distributor partner of SPAR Norway, and one with James Hall & Co. Ltd, SPAR UK's regional wholesaler for Northern England.
Fewer strain injuries: ASKO Rogaland, Norway
ASKO Rogaland operates a semi-automated regional warehouse in Norway, distributing to around 1,260 stores. A significant rise in strain injuries from heavy brewery product picking prompted the warehouse to look for new solutions.
A fleet of Grab™ robots was deployed, with results exceeding expectations. With the implementation of Grab™, the daily load per employee was reduced by more than 1 tonne, contributing to a 50% reduction in absenteeism while simultaneously increasing manual throughput by 10%, with further gains expected as the fleet grows.
Scaling automation without rebuilding: James Hall & Co. Ltd, United Kingdom
James Hall & Co. Ltd is a Lancashire-based family business, founded in 1863, and the primary wholesaler for SPAR in Northern England, serving approximately 600 stores. James Hall & Co. Ltd selected Grab as part of their strategy to automate parts of the supply chain. The robot works within their existing racked warehouse infrastructure, autonomously picking orders including heavy grocery cases, removing the most physically demanding aspects of the job for their warehouse team.
Modernising warehouse operations across Europe
The global agreement between SPAR International and Solwr will initially focus on European markets, where labour shortages, high costs, and physically demanding warehouse operations make the case for automation particularly strong.
