KNAPP, Takeoff Team to Grow eGrocery Fulfillment Innovation
Takeoff and KNAPP announced an evolved and integrated partnership to accelerate hardware and software innovation for eGrocery fulfillment through:
- A new network-strategy oriented product suite: Rollout of a comprehensive product portfolio designed to meet evolving industry needs
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- A joint voice in the industry: Further integration of key functions from commercial to technical teams to streamline delivery of seamless End-to-End eGrocery fulfillment solutions
- Coordinated technology roadmap: Additional R&D collaboration for continued innovation at the cutting edge of eGrocery fulfillment
Takeoff and KNAPP have expanded their partnership to offer a modular product portfolio to provide food retailers with right sized automation and unique capabilities for their operation. With profit-driving fulfillment models for high-, mid- and low-volume operations, retailers can choose different technologies and solutions to realize their eGrocery strategy and fulfill their promises to the end customer. Retailers are now empowered to construct an intelligent, interconnected fulfillment network without being constrained to a single solution, having to engage with different hardware and software providers, or compromising on operational excellence.
“After operating alongside and growing with our retail partners over the past 7 years, we are excited to offer our retail grocery partners new solution modularity with our partner KNAPP,” commented Takeoff co-founder Jose Aguerrevere.
KNAPP Group VP of Food Retail Solutions Rudolf Hansl added, “Automation remains foundational in addressing rising labor costs and offering an optimal customer experience at the lowest cost to serve. Through Takeoff’s expertise we were able to further develop our modular solution for micro fulfillment. In addition, we will enhance our existing portfolio within this new, intensified partnership to make it easier than ever to deploy rightsized automation for any retailer, anywhere.”
In the next phase of their partnership, Takeoff and KNAPP are bringing their sales, solutions engineering and technical product teams closer together. Together, this will provide retailers with a unified, streamlined experience and access to the industry’s largest dedicated team enhancing eGrocery fulfillment.
Seven years ago, Takeoff created the hyperlocal fulfillment category with a custom, grocery-native platform – Micro Fulfillment Centers were born. After extensive technology evaluation, Takeoff partnered with KNAPP, a globally recognized leader in intelligent automation and specialized software solutions. Together, Takeoff and KNAPP offer an unmatched experience, global reach, flexible architecture, industry-leading operator productivity and ultimately, eGrocery profitability. The future of eGrocery fulfillment is led by Takeoff and KNAPP.
Takeoff Technologies offers eGrocery solutions that empower grocers to thrive online using hyperlocal fulfillment. Founded in 2016, Takeoff’s solutions range from fully manual fulfillment technology to highly automated Micro Fulfillment Centers powered by a seamless integration with global automation leader KNAPP. Takeoff Technologies is driven by a mission to transform the grocery industry by making online grocery operations as efficient and cost effective as traditional brick-and-mortar stores. With over 180 employees and approximately $1 billion in sales processed through Takeoff fulfillment centers, Takeoff is building on a meaningful track record to continue driving innovation in a rapidly growing eGrocery industry.
KNAPP is the technology partner for intelligent value chain management. Headquartered in Austria, the KNAPP group provides all-in-one solutions for automation and digitalization, from production and distribution to the point of sale. Excellent service and long-term collaboration make KNAPP the strong partner behind the success of their customers in the sectors healthcare, retail, food retail, fashion, wholesale and industry. The solution portfolio for grocery comprises innovative automation concepts for both online and brick-and-mortar food retail.
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NGA Praises FTC for Challenge to Kroger, Albertsons Merger
The National Grocers Association issued a response to the Federal Trade Commission’s decision to challenge the merger between Kroger and Albertsons:
“Every day, America’s local independent supermarkets face economic challenges due to the influence of massive power buyer chains who use their leverage over suppliers at the expense of smaller rivals in the marketplace,” said Greg Ferrara, NGA president and CEO. “NGA appreciates the FTC’s commitment to preserving competition in the grocery sector.”
The challenge underscores the importance of mitigating substantial buyer power wielded by the nation’s largest supermarket chains, which have been unchecked by federal regulators for decades. According to one study, four big food retailers now control 69 percent of the nation’s supermarket shelves, utilizing this dominance to exert pressure on suppliers, farmers and ranchers resulting in deals that shift higher prices onto smaller stores. This corporate marriage of two supermarket giants is engineered to enhance the largest conventional grocery chain’s leverage over suppliers at the expense of smaller rivals and grocery shoppers.
The risks associated with excessive buyer power have been on full display since COVID-era supply chain disruptions and the emergence of historic food price inflation. In the early part of the pandemic, dominant chains leveraged their influence to coercively squeeze food suppliers to meet specific trade demands. As the big box stores remained stocked, consumers in urban and rural areas who largely shop at independent grocery stores bore the brunt of these marketplace abuses and in many cases were left without household necessities. Independent grocers and their customers have also faced higher inflationary price increases as dominant national grocers used their dominant position to force higher inflationary burdens on their smaller competitors.
“NGA appreciates the FTC’s commitment to a competitive grocery industry, and we look forward to the FTC taking further action to level the playing field, including enforcing antitrust laws like the Robinson-Patman Act that prohibit economic discrimination against independent grocers and their customers,” said Chris Jones, NGA’s chief government relations officer and counsel.
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Arctic Glacier Adds to Senior Leadership Team
Arctic Glacier, North America’s leading manufacturer and distributor of premium ice products and services, announces the appointment of three new senior leadership team members including CFO, CIO and the newly created role of general counsel. The ice industry is primed for significant growth given robust economic indicators and shifting consumer behaviors, and Arctic Glacier is leading the way as a key-market player. With a growth-minded, performance-based culture that is setting the pace for future growth within the ice industry, and Arctic Glacier is the fastest-growing brand and only one seeing year-over-year increases.
The newly appointed Senior Leadership Team members are:
General Counsel Travis Bonnell
Bonnell offers extensive, international industrial experience providing real practical solutions to business, finance, and legal challenges to executive leadership in highly regulated and complex compliance environments. In the newly created role of general counsel, Bonnell will be the senior legal advisor to Arctic Glacier, acting as the in-house legal representative, Prior to joining Arctic Glacier, Bonnell previously held several executive leadership roles with Rehab Industries where he was responsible for the development and execution of the company’s organic and inorganic growth initiatives.
Chief Information Officer Doug Saunders
Saunders is an expert in leading business-critical, complex, high-profile global initiatives, programs, and multi-functional projects. He is focused on driving sound, strategic solutions in practical phased steps, achieving results within a contemporary budget-conscious and control-aware framework. Saunders will lead all IT functions while providing the vision, strategy, and tactics to transform and upgrade the company’s IT applications and the business processes impacted by those changes. Prior to joining Arctic Glacier, Saunders was chief information officer for Sweeping Corporation of America where he implemented SalesForce for 70+ locations in addition to managing security strategy, infrastructure services, and mergers & acquisitions.
Chief Financial Officer Stephanie Choudri
Choudri brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise as a senior-level finance executive. She most recently served as a partner with CFGI’s New York office where she provided accounting, consulting, and interim management services to clients in a variety of industries. She also held the roles of managing director and senior manager. Prior to working at CFGI, she was the chief financial officer at DuJour Media Group, LLC. Choudri is skilled at technical and operational accounting assistance in areas that include revenue recognition, share-based compensation, business combinations, debt modifications, and complex equity and financing arrangements. Choudri will be focused on implementing business controls and process improvements.
“With this enhanced and energetic Senior Leadership Team, I know we have the right people, with the right combination of skills in the right positions to make a big impact to realize our objectives”, said Chief Executive Officer Peter Laport. “I am confident with their sharp operational and financial focus, deep technical and industry expertise, and proven leadership capabilities, our new leaders are adding value to an already stellar team.”
Arctic Glacier’s new Senior Leadership Team’s depth of experience and wealth of knowledge will be pivotal in driving continued growth. These experienced business leaders will continue to support the organization’s world-class talent and commitment to its customers.
Arctic Glacier Premium Ice is the premier provider of high-quality, premium ice products serving North America. For over 140 years the company has perfected the art of ice making, best-in-class service, food safety and reliable logistics. Today Arctic Glacier produces and delivers over 2.5 billion pounds annually of premium ice products to supermarkets, mass merchants, c-stores, dollar stores, gas stations, and liquor stores, as well other commercial and industrial businesses. Arctic Glacier services over 75,000 customers from production facilities, warehouses and distribution centers across the United States and Canada.
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