Exotec has launched two Skypod automated storage systems in Japan: one at Mitsubishi Shokuhin’s Soka FSDC handling ~13,000 SKUs, and another at Trusco Nakayama’s 89,000 m² Planet Aichi facility deploying 37 robots and 32,000 bins. Both installations target labour shortages and throughput growth through 2040. Executed with IHI Logistics Industrial Systems, they mark Skypod’s first use in Japan’s food distribution sector and reinforce Exotec’s mobile ASRS architecture.
According to Robotics & Automation News, Exotec has commissioned two Skypod automated storage and retrieval systems in Japan—one at Mitsubishi Shokuhin’s new Food Service Distribution Centre (FSDC) in Soka, and another at Trusco Nakayama’s Planet Aichi logistics centre.
Food distribution automation milestone
Mitsubishi Shokuhin implemented Skypod to address labour shortages and improve working conditions across its warehouse operations. The system manages nearly 13,000 product references—including food, alcoholic beverages, and professional supplies—and marks the first deployment of Skypod in Japan’s food distribution sector. The project supports the company’s broader logistics infrastructure strategy targeting sustained growth through 2040.
The FSDC in Soka was designed to automate ambient temperature operations, reduce operator travel distances, and maintain high customer service levels—key priorities amid tightening labour availability in Japanese warehousing.
This implementation was executed in partnership with IHI Logistics Industrial Systems, reinforcing Exotec’s collaboration model for market entry into highly advanced logistics ecosystems.
Industrial logistics scale-up at Planet Aichi
Trusco Nakayama’s Planet Aichi logistics centre—the group’s largest—covers approximately 89,000 square meters and is built to support rapid SKU expansion, with stored product references projected to exceed one million SKUs in the coming years. The fully operational Skypod system there includes nearly 32,000 bins, 37 robots, and four picking stations.
The system automates order fulfilment for tools, consumables, safety equipment, and industrial supplies—directly improving productivity, picking accuracy, and storage space utilisation. Both deployments underscore how warehouse automation technologies are being adopted across diverse sectors to meet rising throughput demands and workforce constraints.
Romain Moulin, CEO of Exotec, said:
“Japan is one of the world’s most demanding and innovative markets when it comes to logistics. The new systems at Mitsubishi Shokuhin and Trusco Nakayama demonstrate Skypod’s ability to meet very different requirements while providing a concrete response to the challenges of productivity, labour availability and service quality.” — Romain Moulin, CEO of Exotec
Skypod’s technical differentiation
Unlike conventional shuttle-based automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), Skypod is described by Exotec as a “mobile ASRS”. Its robots perform both horizontal transport and vertical retrieval—eliminating the need for fixed shuttles on each rack level. This architecture enables greater flexibility and density in high-throughput, space-constrained environments like those found in Japanese urban logistics hubs.
The October 20, 2026 announcement follows prior international deployments, including Lyreco’s €25 million logistics modernisation in France—a fact cited in related coverage on the source site.
Source: Robotics & Automation News
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
