Zappos.com expands Kiva order-fulfillment system

Woburn, Mass. Kiva Systems, a developer of mobile robotic solutions for warehouse automation, recently announced Zappos.com has purchased significant additional capacity for its Kiva Mobile Fulfillment System.

Zappos first installed Kiva’s ItemFetch split-case picking solution in June 2008 to pick, pack and ship a variety of products, including shoes, apparel and accessories.

The expansion at its Shepherdsville, Ky., fulfillment center is driven by unit growth from these product categories.

Kiva’s approach to order fulfillment uses hundreds of mobile robotic drive units that bring inventory on movable shelves directly to workers, allowing efficient access to all inventory items.

In other news, it was announced July 23 that Amazon.com will acquire the online footwear retailer. See related story.