CINCINNATI, OHTuesday, July 28th, 2020 Automation has almost become synonymous with evolution across many sectors of the food industry and those companies leading the charge are sure to experience the enormous benefits both today and in the future. Kroger is charging forward with its vision for automation with its innovative Customer Fulfillment Centers (CFC) with high-tech partner Ocado. The Frederick, Maryland-based facility has just broken ground on a 350,000-square-foot structure with the ability to create as many as 500 jobs for the area. "Kroger is incredibly excited to construct one of our industry-leading Customer Fulfillment Centers in Maryland in relationship with Ocado to bring fresh food to our customers faster than ever before," Robert Clark, Kroger's Senior Vice President of Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Sourcing, said upon the reveal of the planned facility in January according to our sister publication AndNowUKnow. "Through our strategic partnership, we are engineering a model for the region, leveraging advanced robotics technology and creative solutions to redefine the customer experience."One of the biggest factors capturing attention for the trade is its location--Kroger has no physical stores in the vicinity, nor any plans for them, according to news source wtop news.

Here's what Kroger's planned distribution center in Frederick, Maryland will look like. Kroger, the nation's largest grocery store chain, has broken ground on a high-tech customer fulfillment center in Frederick, Maryland. Kroger has no physical stores in the D.C. area, and has no plans for any in the near future. The build-out of the 350,000-square-foot customer fulfillment center, at 71906 Geoffrey Way in Frederick, will take 24 months to complete, and it will eventually employ as many as 500 workers. The facility will be highly automated.