

Press Release
Zappos.com Selects Kiva Mobile Fulfillment System to Ramp Order
Volume and Introduce New Product Categories
Leading Internet retailer cites flexibility and performance as keys to decision
Woburn, MA - February 25, 2008 – Kiva Systems
(www.kivasystems.com), a developer of breakthrough mobile solutions
for the distribution and order fulfillment industry, today announced
that leading online retailer Zappos.com intends to install a Kiva
Mobile Fulfillment System at one of the company’s distribution
centers. Zappos plans to use Kiva’s ItemFetch split-case picking
system and OrderFetch shipping sorter at its Shepherdsville, Ky.
facility to store, move and sort a variety of products, including
shoes, apparel and accessories.
“Zappos needed a material handling solution that was incrementally
scalable so it could grow smoothly as our sales do, rather than
a traditional system that can only grow in large, expensive jumps,”
said Craig Adkins, VP of fulfillment operations. “Conventional
equipment is also very difficult to move if you need to alter the
footprint or change facilities, and this can be extremely frustrating.
Kiva solves several problems simultaneously with portable equipment
that not only scales up and down on a dime, but is also flexible
enough to easily accommodate new product characteristics.”
Kiva’s innovative approach to order fulfillment utilizes
a fleet of mobile robotic drive units that bring inventory directly
to workers, allowing easy and efficient access to all inventory
items at all times. For eCommerce fulfillment, which demands single-order
accuracy and speed, Kiva boosts order productivity and maintains
high picking standards. This approach is also applied to completed
orders, ensuring that the right order is delivered to the right
dock door at the right time. Elimination of operator walking and
waiting time enables worker productivity that is two to three times
higher than with other automated systems.
Kiva believes that for Internet retailers, the distribution center
is the store, and the Kiva Mobile Fulfillment System is a strategic
advantage that transforms the distribution center into a truly optimized,
competitive asset. The Kiva approach is ideal for eCommerce fulfillment,
allowing orders to flow directly from the Internet to the factory
floor. Since Kiva’s workflow eliminates the need for batch
or wave processes, the faster order cycle time enables customers
to place orders late at night and receive their merchandise the
next morning. What’s more, because all the system components
are mobile and modular, a Kiva-equipped distribution center has
unprecedented flexibility when adding new products or expanding
throughput—without disrupting ongoing operations.
“Zappos has become so successful by making it easy for customers
to find and purchase great products,” said Mick Mountz, founder
and CEO of Kiva Systems. “Kiva has taken the same approach
to material handling and designed a system that is easy to set up,
easy to use and easy to grow. Kiva makes it possible for Zappos
to scale up quickly while preserving its legendary customer service
model.”
About Kiva Systems
Kiva Systems, Inc. uses game-changing automation technology for distribution
centers that helps companies simplify operations and reduce costs,
while increasing strategic flexibility. Using autonomous mobile robots
and sophisticated control software, the Kiva Mobile Fulfillment System
enables extremely fast cycle times with reduced labor requirements,
from receiving to picking to shipping—all without conveyor.
The result is a building that is quick and low-cost to set up, inexpensive
to operate and easy to change. For more information on Kiva Systems
and its solutions, please visit www.kivasystems.com
About Zappos.com
Established in 1999, Zappos.com has quickly become one of the leaders
in online shoe and handbag sales by striving to provide shoppers with
the best possible service and selection. Zappos.com currently stocks
more than 3 million shoes, handbags, clothing items and accessories
from over 1,000 brands. Zappos.com has appeared in Inc. Magazine's
annual list of the 500 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S
for four years in a row (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007), with gross merchandise
sales of over $800 million in 2007. Zappos.com was also included in
Time Magazine's "25 Sites You Can't Live Without." Zappos.com's
Customer Loyalty Team is available 24/7, 365 days a year. For more
information about Zappos.com, please visit www.zappos.com
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