Optimising Efficiency Through Advanced Automation
Ninja Van’s newly operational automated warehouse in Yio Chu Kang is capable of processing up to 200,000 parcels daily, especially during peak periods. Opened in November 2021, it marks the company’s second warehouse, complementing the existing facility in the Pandan region, located in the southwest of Singapore.
The new facility, located in the northeast near Yio Chu Kang MRT station, serves as the primary hub for Ninja Van’s processing and distribution, helping the company manage an ever-growing volume of deliveries. According to staff, the increased warehouse capacity is a response to the constant influx of e-commerce sales.
Spanning 80,000 square feet—equivalent to six Olympic swimming pools—the new warehouse houses two automated sorting systems, “Simba” and “Aplus.” These advanced belts streamline the sorting process, significantly reducing the need for manual labour.
Simba, which handles parcels weighing up to 30kg, is particularly efficient. Packages are manually loaded, and as they move along the conveyor, barcodes are scanned from all six sides of the box. This feature eliminates the need for careful placement by sorters, improving efficiency. Once scanned, parcels are automatically sorted according to their destination and directed to specific chutes.
Aplus, which handles smaller parcels weighing up to 5kg, requires more manual involvement. Staff ensure that barcodes face upwards as the system can only detect them from one side. These parcels are then organised into delivery bags for distribution.
The new warehouse’s expansive layout and advanced automation have tripled its sorting capacity compared to the Pandan warehouse. With improved cameras and sorting belts, the process now requires significantly fewer staff, allowing Ninja Van to rely less on manual labour. By 2025, the company expects to reduce manpower by over 55% due to the enhanced automation.
