Pickommerce Secures $3.4 Million to Revolutionize Warehouse Automation

🌱 Good afternoon, and welcome to today's fresh newsletter! 

👉 In today's email:

• Pickommerce Secures $3.4 Million to Revolutionize Warehouse Automation

• Sun World Partners with Sprouts Farmers Market to Launch AUTUMNCRISP® Grapes

• BrightFarms Expands with New Greenhouse Hub

INNOVATION

Pickommerce Secures $3.4 Million to Revolutionize Warehouse Automation with AI-Powered PickoBot

Pickommerce, a leader in warehouse automation, has secured $3.4 million in funding to advance its flagship piece-picking robot, PickoBot.

This new investment will support the development, production, and marketing of the robot, which aims to address a key challenge in logistics automation: the “Pick and Pack” phase, which has traditionally relied on human labor.

The funding round was led by IL Ventures, with participation from InNegev, Fusion VC, the Israel Innovation Authority, and ZIM Ventures. 

This strategic backing reflects the increasing demand for automation solutions in logistics, especially given the global labor shortages affecting warehouse operations.

The global warehouse automation market is projected to grow significantly, with an estimated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 53.4% and a value nearing $9 billion by 2029, according to Mordor Intelligence.

While robots have already been employed in tasks like crate collection and package unloading, the piece-picking process remains largely dependent on humans. PickoBot aims to automate this phase by handling and placing inventory with precision, thus reducing the need for manual labor, increasing efficiency, and improving accuracy.

PickoBot uses advanced machine learning and computer vision systems to handle various items, regardless of shape, size, or texture.

The robot features multiple gripping technologies—vacuum-based, finger-based, and adhesive-based grippers—that are chosen based on AI-driven algorithms, providing flexibility and versatility.

IL Ventures’ Managing Partner, Yoni Heilbronn, praised Pickommerce for streamlining automation and redefining logistics standards. One notable implementation of PickoBot is at Havivian Farm in Israel, where it automates the packing of fresh produce.

The robot’s precision ensures delicate items, like fruits and vegetables, are handled with care, enhancing efficiency for retailers processing online orders.

Pickommerce’s CEO, Kfir Nissim, highlighted the company’s dedication to pushing industry boundaries by integrating computer vision, packing algorithms, and AI-powered decision-making. As logistics faces rising demand and labor shortages, PickoBot is positioned to revolutionize warehouse efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

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SUN WORLD

Sun World Partners with Sprouts Farmers Market to Launch AUTUMNCRISP® Grapes

Sun World International is expanding its retail presence this fall by introducing its AUTUMNCRISP® grapes to select Sprouts Farmers Market locations.

The grapes will be available in states such as California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Washington, Colorado, and New Mexico. 

In collaboration with Sprouts, Sun World is launching an omnichannel marketing campaign to promote AUTUMNCRISP® grapes. The campaign will include in-store displays and influencer-driven social media content aimed at generating excitement among shoppers.

Sun World’s director of global marketing insights, Elena Hernandez, emphasized the importance of working closely with valued retail partners like Sprouts to introduce more consumers to their crisp and juicy grapes. The timing of the launch coincides perfectly with the fall season, enhancing the appeal of the fresh produce.

Meghan Diaz, senior director of local produce at Sprouts, expressed pride in the partnership, highlighting the importance of offering customers high-quality, peak-season produce. She noted that Sprouts is committed to delivering fresh and locally sourced items, making AUTUMNCRISP® grapes a great fit for their stores.

Sun World initially launched AUTUMNCRISP® grapes over a year ago, marketing them as part of a global campaign. The seedless green grapes are available year-round and have steadily grown in popularity.

The new marketing initiative at Sprouts aims to further boost awareness of the variety, with engaging in-store displays and digital marketing efforts, including influencer collaborations to drive foot traffic.

Sun World International is headquartered in California and operates a global network of licensed growers and marketers.

The AUTUMNCRISP® marketing initiative is part of a broader strategy to support its international network and increase demand for its grape varieties. Sprouts Farmers Market, with over 415 stores in 23 states, continues to expand, emphasizing fresh produce, sustainability, and health-conscious offerings.

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INDOOR FARMING

BrightFarms Expands with New Greenhouse Hub in Yorkville, Illinois

BrightFarms, a leader in indoor farming, has launched a new greenhouse hub in Yorkville, Illinois, marking a significant step in its expansion across the Eastern and Central U.S.

This facility, located in the Chicago metropolitan area, is the first of three new regional greenhouse hubs set to open in 2024, with additional sites planned for Georgia and Texas.

These hubs will collectively add nearly 100 acres of indoor growing space, enabling BrightFarms to produce 150 million pounds of pesticide-free leafy greens annually, helping meet growing consumer demand for fresh produce.

The Yorkville greenhouse will provide fresh, locally grown, pesticide-free greens to the Chicagoland area year-round.

The facility uses advanced technology, including KUBO’s Ultra-Clima greenhouse system, to maintain optimal growing conditions regardless of external weather, ensuring fresh produce in any season. Local retailers like Jewel-Osco and Mariano’s already carry BrightFarms' products.

Mayor John Purcell of Yorkville praised the new facility for providing local, high-quality produce, highlighting the benefits of having fresh greens grown in the community. This expansion aligns with BrightFarms’ plan to triple its production capacity and increase its reach to over two-thirds of the U.S. population.

BrightFarms’ growth is supported by Cox Enterprises, which became its majority investor in 2020 and fully acquired the company in 2021.

Cox Enterprises, through its venture Cox Farms, is committed to sustainability and controlled-environment agriculture, investing heavily in eco-friendly businesses. Steve Bradley, President of Cox Farms, emphasized BrightFarms’ role in building the leading indoor farming company in North America.

With the additional greenhouse hubs in Macon, Georgia, and Lorena, Texas, expected to be completed by year’s end, BrightFarms is on track to significantly expand its production capabilities and meet its goal of generating over $300 million in revenue by 2026.

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TIP OF THE DAY

Partner With Local Chefs To Create Exclusive Recipes

Have you explored the benefits of partnering with local chefs to create exclusive recipes using your produce?

Collaborating with local chefs allows you to showcase your produce in a fresh and exciting way, giving customers new ideas on how to use your products while highlighting their quality and versatility.

Feature a "Chef’s Spotlight" in your newsletters and social media, where the chef creates a unique recipe using your seasonal produce, complete with step-by-step instructions and videos.

This not only adds value to your brand by associating it with culinary expertise, but it also taps into the chef’s existing audience, expanding your reach and attracting new customers.

Additionally, offering bundles of the featured ingredients for customers to easily recreate the dishes at home can further boost sales.