A new step in italian retail innovation:Coop entrusts Fives with the automation of their distribution center in Tortona
Coop Consorzio Nord-Ovest has chosen Fives to build a highly automated new distribution center in Tortona (AL), a greenfield facility set to become a flagship site for the Italian large-scale retail sector. With this investment, Coop is preparing to transform the management of logistics flows for fresh products - meat, dairy and cold cuts -, enhancing accuracy, speed and operational continuity across its entire supply chain.
The new system will mark a major step forward in Coop’s logistics network, supporting the company’s commitment to high service quality and competitiveness for its members and customers.
Reasons behind Coop’s investment in automation
Automation is a strategic asset for food distribution, delivering greater efficiency, reliability and volume-handling capacity, especially for fresh products. Coop decided to invest in an automated system to:
- Optimize sorting operations across its store network
- Improve the management of peak operational periods
- Enhance order preparation quality and reduce defect rates
- Reduce manual errors
- Enable workforce specialization and upskilling for higher-value-added activities
- Improve the ergonomics of operators’ workstations
- Reduce health and safety risks for employees
- Meet evolving service requirements
"With this project, Coop Consorzio Nord Ovest reinforces its commitment to a modern logistics model capable of supporting network expansion and enhancing customer service through investments in innovation," commented Daniele Maini, Logistics Director at Coop.
Why Coop Chose Fives
Coop selected Fives for its proven expertise in high‑performance sorting solutions and its ability to tailor systems to the specific needs of the retail sector.
“Coop’s decision to rely on Fives represents a significant milestone in our growth in Italy. This project is not only one of the most important for the retail sector, but also a system that perfectly reflects our vision: reliable, scalable technologies designed to deliver concrete value to our customers. This contract further strengthens Fives’ position as a trusted intralogistics automation partner in the country,” says Alessio Manni, Sales Manager at Fives Intralogistics SpA.
The solution: a unique system in performance and scalability
Coop’s new logistics hub will feature a high‑performance cross-belt system designed to streamline cross-docking operations for the 250 stores served by the Consorzio Nord-Ovest.
The system includes both automatic and manual depalletizing stations, a next-generation cross-belt sorter and several destinations to ensure widespread distribution across the entire serviced territory.
Thanks to its scalability and the quality of Fives’ technologies, Coop will benefit from an infrastructure capable of supporting both current and future volumes while maintaining high standards in fresh-product distribution.
GENI-Belt cross-belt sorter
Automatic depalletizing system
The project was officially launched in March 2026, with the opening of the construction site at the new logistics hub. The facility will become fully operational by the early months of 2027, supporting the Coop Consorzio Nord-Ovest store network.
This collaboration represents a significant milestone in the development of automated solutions for food distribution in Italy.