Phononic, a global leader in solid state cooling technology, announced NanoFulfillment Inc., a pioneer of logistics automation, will be using Phononic’s Active Cooling Platform solution as part of a partnership agreement. Together, the companies have developed a new approach for efficient delivery of temperature-sensitive grocery orders to hyperlocal, urban ecommerce customers. By combining Phononic’s sustainable active cooling technology, that includes freezer and refrigerator totes, with NanoFulfillment’s automation technology, the two companies are bringing a uniquely redeployable, scalable and cost-effective experience for retailers and their end customers across North America.
NanoFC technology from NanoFulfillment is a scalable, modular and portable storage and fulfillment system that brings inventory closer to grocery customers and enables online orders to be fulfilled in under one hour. Its unique size and footprint - 9’8” height, up to 1,375 square feet - allow it to be easily installed in available urban retail space, and its complimentary finance or leasing options offer a favorable alternative to high capex micro-fulfillment centers (MFCs), ultimately enabling companies to achieve the many benefits of automation at a lower cost.
Phononic’s cooling technology enables grocery retailers the ability to deploy automated solutions in an existing footprint, lowering operating labor and maintenance costs while adding flexibility through tri-temperature storage consolidation and delivery. Phononic’s complementary innovative Actively-Cooled Tote platform and connected services provide seamless operations within fulfillment automation systems like NanoFC, as well as dynamic response for inventory and order management.
“NanoFulfillment has deep expertise in the logistics and fulfillment automation space, with decades of combined leadership experience. We’re excited about the opportunity to partner with this well-established organization and marry our innovative technologies to address some of the most pressing needs of grocers today,” said Larry Yang, CPO of Phononic. “NanoFulfillment’s ability to create a network of hyperlocal neighborhood fulfillment centers, combined with our versatile cooling technology solves multiple use cases including flexible storage, demand-based energy savings and sustainability. We’re excited about the opportunity to enable faster, more sustainable, fresher deliveries to the end consumers.”
“NanoFulfillment’s alliance with Phononic and the combination of our technologies creates a previously unheard-of paradigm shift for the online grocery market,” said Francisco Serrano, CEO of NanoFulfillment. “We’re excited about the opportunity to bring scalable, affordable, automated fulfillment and delivery options to urban settings, and about the possibility of expanding our innovative solutions to other key industries down the road, such as pharmaceuticals,” said Ross Halket, CCO of Nanofulfillment.
