Oriflame launches robot-operated warehouse in the UK
Leading Swedish beauty brand Oriflame has partnered with Active Ants, a multi-warehouse network, to launch its new UK warehouse today, offering a more accurate and faster ordering process for the benefit of consumers.
Utilising Active Ants’ latest technologies, the warehouse features a state-of-the-art AutoStore, storage robots, carrier robots, and packing machines. These forward-looking innovations ensure an order accuracy rate of 99.9%, contributing significantly to customer satisfaction.
The warehouse spans 252,883 square feet and is equipped with advanced storage solutions to maximise space utilisation and ensure quick access to inventory.
Alongside traditional shelving and pallet positions, the warehouse houses a high-density storage solution called AutoStore, which provides up to 60% more storage capacity. Capable of handling over 180,000 bins, the AutoStore is easily scalable to meet Oriflame’s growing business needs.
Active Ants’ robots will handle 85% of the picking and packing processes across Oriflame’s warehouse, processing orders more accurately and 50% faster than traditional methods.
This partnership also aligns with Oriflame’s brand values around sustainability. With robots lowering energy consumption to just 100 watts per hour, the day-to-day operations of the warehouse will maximise energy efficiency. Other environmentally friendly features include:
- 1,000 solar panels across the roof of the warehouse
- A 40% reduction in cardboard usage by cutting all shipping boxes down to size
- The collection and use of rainwater
In anticipation of the launch, Oriflame’s UK Managing Director Sofia Radomska said, “We are very excited about the launch of our new warehouse in the UK. This is a time of progress and expansion for the Oriflame brand, and it’s fantastic to see our Swedish outlook on beauty and wellbeing travelling overseas. Providing a world-class service is crucial, and Active Ants’ advanced technology will enable our ordering process to be more efficient and accurate, allowing our company to grow in a sustainable and prosperous way – I can’t wait to see what the future has in store!”
Khalil Ashong, Country Director UK, added: “We are delighted to announce our latest professional partnership with Oriflame. With the beauty brand utilising our cutting-edge, state-of-the-art automated facilities, this partnership perfectly demonstrates how automation can enhance our clients’ growth.”
“In the long term, our UK facility, operating at full capacity, will see more than 250 people working alongside over 400 robots, making our Northampton site the most sustainable and efficient in the UK.”
The warehouse launch event took place today, attended by key industry figures, including representatives from the Direct Selling Association, the UK trade body for businesses engaged in the direct sales of consumer goods. The warehouse will stock products across Oriflame’s key ranges, including cosmetics, skincare, fragrance, nutrition, hair, bath & body, and accessories.
Founded in Sweden in 1967, Oriflame is a social selling beauty company present in over 60 countries around the world.
