Jacksonville-based Southeastern Grocers announced March 27 a partnership with Relocalize for what it calls the world’s first autonomous, hyperlocal ice microfactory.
Officials from both companies unveiled the microfactory at a March 27 ribbon-cutting at the grocer’s Baldwin Distribution Center at 15500 W. Beaver St. in West Jacksonville.
Southeastern Grocers Inc. is the parent company of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores.
The ice produced at the microfactory will be distributed at retail stores.
Relocalize sells automated food production platforms to grocery and convenience retailers. It is based in Canada and has offices in Montreal and Toronto.
Dewayne Rabon, chief merchandising officer for Southeastern Grocers, cut a 200-pound ribbon of ice with a chainsaw to mark the announcement.
The microfactory is centrally managed by an artificial intelligence-powered software platform and uses robotics for 100% of the production labor, the release said. It is designed to help eliminate middle-mile logistics to reduce carbon footprint, water waste and plastic pollution.
“This microfactory does everything that a full-scale factory does,“ said Wayne McIntyre, chief executive office and co-founder of Localize, at the ribbon cutting.
“No package forming, production, packaging, palletizing, warehousing, food safety – it all happens inside this microfactory in just 640 square feet.”
A holding unit, also 640 square feet, is next to the microfactory.
Through the process, “What we’re able to do is create a one-step journey for food and beverage products. That means you make it right at the distribution center and it goes directly to the store and the customer,” McIntyre said.
SEG introduced Party Cubes, a new premium product through its partnership with Relocalize, at the event.
Rabon said the product is the world’s first hyperlocal, certified plastic-negative packaged ice.
“The product stores better, costs less for the consumers compared with traditional bag ice. They’re vacuum sealed for food safety, odor protection and leak protection,” Rabon said.
The Party Cubes are available at two Jacksonville locations: the Winn-Dixie at 1520 University Blvd. W. in Lakewood Plaza, and the grocer’s standalone liquor store WDs Wine, Beer and Liquor at 4472 Hendricks Ave. in Miramar Center.
The company said it is considering expanding to the broader market in the future.