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About Us> Kiva Systems Company History

Founded in 2003, Kiva Systems is focused on solving real problems in the supply chain. Founder and CEO Mick Mountz experienced the challenges of existing material handling systems firsthand while working at online grocer Webvan. The complexity of existing material handling equipment and processes and the resulting high cost of order fulfillment ultimately was the downfall of Webvan. It occurred to Mick that there must be a better way to accomplish pick, pack and ship.

Mick then asked himself the simple question, "What if all the products in the warehouse could walk and talk on their own, couldn't they just come to me when I need to fill an order?" To pursue this idea, he sought the help of two experts in the area of complex multi-agent systems, Professors Peter Wurman and Raffaello D'Andrea, and together they began to develop the Kiva Systems concept.
 

Today, Kiva Systems applies the concepts of "distributed intelligence" to order fulfillment and inventory management using break through material handling systems and order fulfillment software. Inspired by ant colonies capable of performing large and complex tasks with limited central control, the Kiva system allows inventory to organize itself, adapting to conditions as they change. The resulting solution combines store, move and sort functions into one simple system that can now deliver any item to any operator at any time.

 

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Saks Incorporated Begins Conversion of its Distribution Centers to Kiva Systems Automation
January 26, 2010
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Kiva’s Robots Go to Work Sorting Medical Devices at Boston Scientific
Xconomy | Boston
January 19, 2010
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Boston Scientific Selects Kiva Warehouse Automation System for U.S. and European Distribution Centers
January 19, 2010
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Kiva Systems’ Double Digit Growth Defies 2009’s Recession Economy
January 6, 2010
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The Amazing Kiva Robots That Secretly Run Gilt Groupe
The Business Insider
Decemeber 11, 2009
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Kiva Systems ranks #6 on 2009’s Inc. 500 list of the fastest growing companies in America.

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