November 2000

A new contender in the field of unattended home deliveries has emerged in the form of Storedrop, which is developing a multi-temperature drop-box system aimed initially at the grocery sector.

Consignments will be pre-loaded in low-cost containers, which are left in fixed or removable lockable cabinets outside houses. The system is said to be able to maintain low temperatures for up to eight hours without the need for an external power source. Storedrop aims to take supply-chain integration further than previously-announced drop-off systems, and yet to offer cost savings. Where appropriate it wants to work with partners. According to joint managing diector Neil Huntingdon: "Taking a holistic approach through our open partner programme, we aim to offer an essential piece of the total solution to unattended delivery of groceries." Already it is working with warehouse technology specialist Microlise to integrate with picking systems, and it will be able to track goods from picking point right through to final delivery, using systems such as radio-frequency tagging and handheld terminals. Cost is kept down by a range of measures ­ for instance, avoidance of elaborate electronic keypads, and use of low-cost recyclable materials for the bespoke transit boxes. The combination of sophistication and relatively low cost is already understood to have attracted interest from some of the leading supermarket chains, and trials are due to start in the New Year. Storedrop is so far privately funded. It is based in Derby and headed by Huntingdon and Simon Prime, who can be reached on sales@storedrop.com.