Amer Sports wanted to automate fulfillment operations at its new warehouse in Canada to streamline processes, boost order accuracy, and improve efficiency and the experience for its North American customers. The Helsinki, Finland-based company chose Bastian Solutions LLC, which designed and integrated systems with Exotec SAS.
“The new warehouse is a significant step forward for Amer Sports in Canada, setting us up to better serve our consumers and support our brands with the flexibility needed to meet demand,” stated Bradley Dow, director of distribution and IT operations at Amer Sports. “Our team has worked hard to create an efficient, forward-thinking facility.”
Amer Sports is a global group of sports and outdoor brands, including Arc’teryx, Salomon, Wilson, Peak Performance, and Atomic. It has 13,400 employees globally and offices in Helsinki, Munich, Kraków, New York, and Shanghai. The group said that it has operations in 42 countries and that its products are sold in over 100 countries. Amer Sports generated $5.2 billion of revenue in 2024.
Bastian, Exotec collaborate on Skypod deployment
As an integrator of Exotec technology in the North American market, Bastian deployed Exotec’s Skypod automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS). Skypod is designed to handle both each and case picking, noted the partners.
Skypod uses autonomous robots to optimize order flow, reducing the need for workers to travel among pick locations. The company said this can not only enhance productivity but also significantly boost order accuracy, enabling faster and more reliable order fulfillment.
“We are excited to partner with Exotec to bring advanced automation technology to Amer Sports’ order-fulfillment process,” said Matt Kuper, vice president of global sales and applications at Bastian Solutions. “By integrating Exotec’s innovative automation solution, we’ve been able to enhance productivity, accuracy, and efficiency in Amer Sports’ operations.”
Bastian Solutions, a division of Toyota, is a systems integrator specializing in material handling equipment and information systems. The company‘s portfolio includes ASRS, automated guided vehicles (AGV), goods-to-person (G2P) technology, sortation systems, and conveyors.
Amer Sport consolidates order fulfillment
Amer Sport said the expansion enables its facility to consolidate operations under one roof and increase its headcount to meet growing demand. The ASRS also accelerates order processing, previously a time-consuming task, and optimizes storage capacity, Amer Sports said.
Amer Sports’ operations are further supported by several automated systems, including rightsized packaging, sortation conveyors, and pallet racking. Bastian added that Amer Sports has access to round-the-clock customer support to ensure smooth system operation and minimize downtime.
Founded in 2015, Exotec claimed that it combines hardware and software to drive operational efficiency, add resilience, and improve working conditions. The Lille, France-based company said that more than 50 industry-leading brands, including Gap Inc., Carrefour, Decathlon, and UNIQLO, trust it to improve their operations across over 150 sites worldwide.
Bastian has already shown its ability to work with large retailers. In November 2024, the company expanded its partnership with PUMA to integrate an AutoStore ASRS in that brand’s new distribution center. PUMA said it expects the system to help it keep up with increasing online orders.