Aug 31, 2021|
JD’s Supply Chain Enables Shaanxi Coal Mine to Increase Operation Efficiency Through Automation
by Mengyang He
On August 23, JD Logistics (2618.HK) reported its 2021 interim results. In the first half of the year, JD Logistics (JDL) kept investing in the infrastructure construction, supply chain technology, R&D, and further expanded the width and depth of its supply chain solutions and services. As of June 30, 2021, the number of external integrated supply chain customers reached over 59,000, one of which is a leader in the mining industry, Xiaobaodang Mining Company.
The intelligent supplies warehouse powered by JDL’s integrated supply chain serves as an example of digitalization of the mining industry. As coal mines used to be the epitome of danger and were far from being technically advanced, JDL provides digital solutions to the industry. Coal mine warehouses are now equipped with various technologies that increase both safety and operation efficiency.
“Hi, I’m here for the supplies,” said Wang Peng, a frontline worker from Xiaobaodang Mining Company. Standing in front of the intelligent supplies desk, Wang is in urgent need of valves that should be delivered into the mine.
On the other side of the desk, Liu Pei, a janitor of the company’s intelligent supplies warehouse, pinpoints the corresponding order in the supplies management system and calls for the supplies through the PDA smart device. The supplies arrive shortly, and after confirming the right specifications and models, Liu clicks “out of the warehouse.” Then Wang Peng receives the supplies he needs, and the whole process takes only a few minutes.
This is a microcosm of Xiaobaodang’s smart coal mine. Xiaobaodang has transformed itself into a modernized coal mine since 2017. However, during the process, it has confronted many challenges in digitalization, notably the supply chain management.
Yet, with an area of nearly 3,500 square meters, it is the first smart warehouse in the coal mining industry in northern Shaanxi region. What facilitates the material supplies of Xiaobaodang is JDL’s integrated supply chain.
Impact on Operation Efficiency
“In the past, the common supplies needed by downhole operations had to be pre-ordered with a plan and then collected from the warehouse,” said Ke Xiangang, a manager from Xiaobaodang’s intelligent supplies supermarket. “Excessive orders would result in overstocking, while insufficient orders might affect the operations. Now, the intelligent supplies supermarket has realized the smart management of the warehouse and one-stop distribution. No matter if it is an order in advance or an order on short notice, it can be operated online, and even the supplies can be ‘grab-and-go.’ It effectively reduces the material storage and optimizes human resources.”
There used to be dozens of staff in the material storage area responsible for the inventory, storage, etc. After the cooperation with JDL, a team of seven can handle the management of nearly 4,000 stocks in the smart warehouse. All processes have become more labor-efficient, safe and reliable, whether it is PDA device usage, scanning, using the Automated Ground Vehicles (AGVs), automatic handling of large items, or intelligent storage.
According to Ke Xiangang, due to the wide application of intelligent systems and equipment, the nature of work has evolved. Today, workers spend over a third of their time dealing with smart devices. “We are now interacting with all kinds of robots instead of materials as it used to be,” Ke said.
“At present, Xiaobaodang has realized full automation of material handling, thus its space utilization rate increased by 150%, overall storage increased by 70%, operational efficiency increased by 50%, and transport efficiency has also been significantly improved,” JDL reveals.
Goal: An Intelligent Coal Mine
Material control is an important part of reducing production costs. The more process it takes, the more investment it requires, and the more manpower, inventory, and waste it creates. Therefore, Xiaobaodang partners with JDL, using IoT, automatic guiding and storage to implement the planning and construction of unmanned management of intelligent supplies warehouse.
The warehouse management system (WMS) built by JDL for Xiaobaodang can not only realize high-density storage of goods, delivery selection, and automatic warehousing, but also provide professional services for material supply in the direction of warehouse distribution data, intelligent adjustment, sales prediction, analysis and diagnosis.
Nov 7, 2024|
CIIE 2024: JD.com to Expand Imports of Specialty Brands, Strengthen Healthcare Partnerships, and Enhance Logistics
At the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) on November 5, JD Super, the supermarket division of JD.com, announced a major initiative to broaden its selection of imported specialty. Over the next three years, JD Super plans to introduce over 1,000 new international brands to meet the increasing demand for high-quality, diverse imported goods.
Meeting the Growing Demand for Quality Imports
According to JD Worldwide’s “White Paper on 2024 China Cross-Border Consumption Trends,” more than 80% of Chinese consumers are interested in imported products, with many prioritizing authenticity, quality, and fast delivery. In response, JD has significantly expanded its range of international offerings. During the ongoing Singles’ Day Grand Promotion, sales of cross-border products have surged, with more than 600 brands experiencing a sales increase of over 100% compared to last year.
Strengthening High-Quality Food Partnerships
Demonstrating JD.com’s commitment to sourcing high-quality products, JD Super signed a new procurement agreement at CIIE with Huadong Foods and Teys, a major Australian beef brand under Cargill. Under this agreement, JD Super and Huadong Foods will procure $50 million of Teys beef throughout 2025. This partnership underscores JD’s strategy of collaborating with trusted suppliers to provide high-quality, affordable beef to Chinese consumers.
Delivering Authentic Global Goods Efficiently
JD Logistics has built a robust logistics network that spans bonded, direct mail, and overseas warehouses, facilitating fast deliveries of imported items across categories such as electronics, fashion, beauty, food, and baby products. In many major cities, delivery times have been reduced to under 48 hours.
For instance, JD Super’s partnership with Raub of Malaysia enables the import of Musang King durians, which are harvested at peak ripeness and air-shipped with cold chain logistics for delivery within 24 hours. Additionally, JD.com also secured an early supply of Chilean cherries, available since October, which can be delivered in as little as 30 minutes in many areas through JD NOW, its on-demand retail service.
JD.com’s “JD National Pavilions” program, which features over 150 country-themed flagship stores from more than 70 countries and regions, continues to be a cornerstone of its import strategy. Supported by embassies and reputable organizations, this initiative offers Chinese consumers access to premium products and cultural experiences from around the world. In April, JD launched the JD National Pavilion of Mali, introducing popular items like shea butter and garnering over 40,000 followers.
Expanding Healthcare and Logistics Partnerships
JD Health is also making strides at CIIE by strengthening partnerships with leading global healthcare companies, including Merck, Bayer, and Roche. As “China’s premier online health access point,” JD Health is committed to integrating digital and physical healthcare resources to improve access and convenience for patients.
Key collaborations include initiatives with Haleon to promote brain health and anti-aging for the “silver economy,” with MSD China on a digital diabetes management model, and with Teva Pharmaceuticals to provide patient education for conditions such as tardive dyskinesia (TD) and Huntington’s disease (HD).
On the logistics front, JD Logistics announced plans to double its overseas warehouse space by 2025 and expand its network of bonded and direct mail warehouses. JD Express now serves over 60 countries, enhancing cross-border delivery efficiency and supporting both brands and consumers.
Through these efforts, JD.com reaffirms its commitment to sourcing and delivering authentic, high-quality imported products to Chinese consumers, supported by an advanced supply chain that ensures a superior shopping experience.
(vivian.yang@jd.com)
Nov 5, 2024|
JD Logistics Introduces “Zhilang” Intelligent Warehousing Solution at CeMAT Asia 2024
JD Logistics (also known as JINGDONG Logistics) announced today at CeMAT ASIA 2024 its latest Goods-to-Person (GTP) automated warehousing innovation, the “Zhilang” solution. Meaning “Intelligent Wolf”, Zhilang is a proprietary system that improves picking efficiency by over three times compared to traditional methods. This advanced system is already supporting operations during the Singles Day Grand Promotion.
The Zhilang GTP solution combines several technologies, including handling AGVs, lifting robots, and shelving systems, along with automated inbound and picking workstations and an empty tote reflow line. Leveraging warehouse height, Zhilang increases storage density to 2.5 times the industry average for facilities up to 10 meters high.
The system’s modular design enables handling AGVs and lifting robots to operate independently. Powered by JD Logistics’ self-developed “upper tote storage and lower picking scenarios” algorithm and “buffer storage” technology, the network is fully flexible for optimized routing. The high-precision navigation algorithm, dual-direction laser obstacle detection technology, and vision-based verification ensure precise retrieval with minimal error. Additionally, Zhilang’s payback period is 30% shorter than comparable solutions.
Currently, nearly 100 Zhilang AGVs and lifting robots are in operation at an intelligent logistics park in Beijing, handling nearly a million items, from tops to shoes. With a click, pickers receive requested items directly from the robots, enabling a seamless, automated order fulfillment process from inbound to outbound.
JD Logistics continues to advance logistics operations with a wide array of solutions, including the the Tianlang Tote Shuttle GTP system, Dilang AGV GTP system, Four-way Pallet Shuttle Storage system, Auto Remin Wall, and the Aidong mobile data terminal. In terms of software, JD Logistics’ WCS (warehouse control system), WES (warehouse execution system), RMS (robotics management system), 3D SCADA (3D supervisory control and data acquisition), and Lomir intelligent logistics park management platform, are used in over 1,600 JD-operated warehouses and client facilities.
As JD Logistics expands globally, its solutions now serve thousands of corporate clients across dozens of countries and regions, including Poland, the Netherlands, Germany, South Korea, the United States, and throughout Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and beyond.
JD at Gartner Forum: Connecting Products, Places and People to Enable Better Fulfillment
