Online retailer YesAsia has seen the largest deployment of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) in any single Hong Kong ecommerce warehouse, using devices from Geek+.

Chinese firm Geek+ has helped YesAsia build the smart warehouse at Goodman Interlink, a warehouse development and one of the world’s tallest warehouse facilities, located in Tsing Yi, Hong Kong.

Logistics and supply chain management has proven to be the biggest challenge for ecommerce businesses since the Covid outbreak. YesAsia is using digitalisation and automation for its business operations, especially its warehouses.

The new YesAsia smart fulfilment centre will be equipped with 145 AMRs from Geek+. Goodman Interlink provides space suitable for the latest advancements in automation and robotics.

“YesAsia understands the importance of staying ahead of the game in the face of new norms,” said Joshua Lau, CEO of YesAsia. “This is why we are investing in and introducing 145 Geek+ AMR robots into our Hong Kong warehouse with our like-minded partners, Goodman Group and Geek+. This move reflects our commitment to reforming our supply chain in order to provide the best possible logistics services to our valuable customers.”

The change is expected to be fully integrated by July 2022 to commence service for YesAsia’s global customer base in the second half of the year. To enable this smart fulfilment centre, Goodman Group provides warehouses that are designed to accommodate the latest robotics and technology, not only to ensure a more efficient supply chain, but also faster and more flexible delivery of goods.

The smart warehouse is in the logistics hotspot of Hong Kong which is adjacent to Container Terminal 9, Stonecutters Bridge, with easy access to Hong Kong International Airport.

The centre will implement Geek+’s goods-to-persons technology. After receiving orders, the AMRs will automatically pass the goods to warehouse operators for an overall fulfilment process that is more accurate and efficient. The centre is expected to handle over a million orders within its first year of operation for customers around the world.

“Our commitment is to transform global logistics with smart technologies,” said Lit Fung, vice president at Geek+. “We are excited to work with industry innovation pioneer YesAsia and empower them to meet the growing demand of their ecommerce customers. Geek+ will continue to partner with Goodman in providing a one-stop for quality, sustainable properties equipped with the latest smart warehousing to strengthen customers’ supply chains.”

Founded in 2015, Geek+ has more than 1500 employees, with offices in Germany, UK, USA, Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong and Singapore. 

Established in 1997, YesAsia is an online retailer headquartered in Hong Kong that engages in the procurement and sale of Asian fashion and lifestyle, beauty and entertainment products to customers around the world. It has developed ecommerce platforms operated by a team that has, since 1998, accumulated over 20 years of experience in operating ecommerce businesses.

• Geek+ has implemented AMRs at independent British online retailer RangePlus’s fulfilment centre in Croydon. The automated storage and retrieval system was designed and delivered in collaboration with warehouse automation specialist and Geek+ strategic delivery partner Breathe Technologies. The modernisation should help RangePlus compete with larger actors in the growing ecommerce sector.