Swisslog's multi-temperature automation modernises cold storage and logistics

Australia’s food and beverage manufacturers are under increasing pressure to manage complex product ranges, strict temperature requirements, and rising operational costs, while maintaining food safety, traceability and production efficiency. As product variety grows — from frozen ready meals and dairy to fresh ingredients and ambient packaged goods — many facilities are struggling with fragmented storage, manual handling and constrained warehouse space.

Swisslog, a global leader in warehouse automation, is helping food producers rethink cold storage and intralogistics through integrated solutions that combine automated pallet handling, AutoStore grid automation and intelligent software orchestration.

Automating pallet flows across production and cold storage

Pallet automation remains critical within food processing environments, particularly for raw materials, bulk ingredients, finished goods and outbound distribution. Swisslog’s automated pallet technologies are designed to handle these high-volume workflows while supporting hygiene, safety and operational consistency.

Solutions such as high-speed pallet shuttle systems and pallet stacker cranes enable food manufacturers to maximise storage density while maintaining fast access to stock. Automated systems can operate across a wide temperature range — from frozen storage to ambient production areas — ensuring seamless movement between manufacturing lines, cold rooms and dispatch zones.

“By automating repetitive transport and storage tasks, processors can reduce reliance on manual forklift operations, improve workplace safety and maintain consistent throughput even during labour shortages or seasonal production peaks,” says Steve Dimitrovski, Head of Sales and Consulting, Swisslog Australia and New Zealand.

A single automated system for multiple temperature zones

For many food producers, managing frozen, chilled, and ambient inventory typically requires separate storage areas or systems, increasing energy consumption and operational complexity. Swisslog’s tri-temperature AutoStore solution introduces a different approach by enabling distinct thermal zones within a single automated grid.

This compact, cube-based automation platform allows a wide variety of SKUs — including small, packaged goods, ingredients, and value-added products — to be stored and retrieved efficiently while maintaining strict temperature integrity. Robots travel across the grid to deliver goods to ergonomic workstations, minimising manual handling and reducing the time operators spend inside cold environments.

“The result is improved picking speed and accuracy, enhanced stock control and more efficient use of available space — key benefits for facilities where refrigeration costs and floor area constraints significantly impact operating expenses,” says Dimitrovski.

Intelligent software enables traceability and production integration

Central to Swisslog’s solutions is its SynQ software platform, which coordinates automation technologies across the entire facility. For food and beverage operators, this provides end-to-end visibility of inventory movements, order status and equipment performance.

SynQ integrates with production planning systems, warehouse management platforms, and enterprise resource planning tools to synchronise storage and fulfilment with manufacturing schedules. This allows businesses to manage batch tracking, expiry dates and recall requirements more effectively while optimising labour and equipment utilisation.

Real-time data also supports quality assurance and compliance initiatives by maintaining detailed records of product movement and environmental conditions — an increasingly important factor as regulatory requirements and customer expectations continue to evolve.

Real-world results in temperature-controlled food distribution

Globally, food and beverage operators are already seeing tangible benefits from integrated multi-temperature automation. In France, food distributor La Réserve des Saveurs implemented Swisslog’s tri-temperature AutoStore solution to manage frozen, chilled, and ambient goods within a single automated system.

The project significantly reduced order fulfilment times — transforming processes that once took an hour into tasks completed within minutes — while improving picking accuracy and storage density. The automated system also enhanced temperature control and reduced manual handling, contributing to safer working conditions and more consistent operations.

Building resilient, scalable food supply chains

As Australian food manufacturers face increasing pressure to deliver fresher products faster while managing labour shortages and energy costs, automation is becoming a strategic investment rather than a future consideration. Integrated solutions that combine pallet automation, multi-temperature AutoStore systems and intelligent software offer a scalable pathway to modernising both cold storage and production logistics.

“By adopting flexible automation designed specifically for temperature-controlled environments, food and beverage facilities can improve operational resilience, reduce waste and energy consumption, and position themselves for continued growth in an increasingly complex supply chain landscape,” concludes Dimitrovski.

Explore how Swisslog’s pallet solutions and AutoStore multi-temperature solutions can transform your next project, or contact the Australian team on +61 2 9869 5900.