Close×

Pharmacy distributor Sigma Pharmaceuticals has contracted Sydney-based logistics company Dematic for a materials handling solution.

 

Sigma’s new 15,000-square metre DC in Berrinba, Queensland, will feature temperature controlled cool rooms and primarily service the company’s network of pharmacies in Queensland and northern NSW.

The Dematic materials handling solution will expedite the order fulfilment process through Dematic's Goods-to-Person (GTP) picking system using Rapid Pick 1:1 pick stations, a centralised automatic order induction system, and an A-Frame automatic picking system.

The system will also feature a Dematic Multishuttle “reverse drop” dispatch buffer.

To maximise space and efficiency, Dematic will manufacture and supply Colby selective racking capable of storing 6,347 pallets, along with Carton Live Storage (CLS) and Pallet Live Storage (PLS).

A Vocollect voice system will facilitate the accurate and efficient picking of products in manual areas.

The new DC is due for completion by October 2017.

Food & Drink Business

Inghams has returned to volume growth with reduced dependence on Woolworths but net profit fell 61.5 per cent to $34.6 million as input cost inflation, first half production inefficiencies and a tax provision weighed on FY26 earnings.

Endeavour Group’s decision to reset shelf prices at Dan Murphy’s has restored sales momentum but taken a heavy toll on earnings, with annual profit down 87.8 per cent to $52 million for FY26 after $372 million in pre-tax significant items covering restructuring, asset writedowns and the exit from its winery portfolio.

Food and beverage businesses that delay adopting AI, precision agriculture, digital modelling and fermentation technologies risk being locked out of the commercial opportunities attached to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, a new perspective paper from Australia’s Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA) says.