UK and Ireland specialist in multi temperature logistics and supply chain solutions Oakland International Speciality Supply Chain Services division has extended its Direct to Consumer (D2C) and Direct to Store packing fulfilment operations with a Pick By Light automated technology provided through their partnership with hardware and software partners Element Logic. The result is enhanced accuracy, speed and cost efficiency for food brands managing complex chilled, frozen and ambient orders. This installation is now the 8th system installed on the Redditch headquarters site.
Designed to support the continued growth of D2C, e commerce and hybrid retail models, the investment strengthens Oakland’s ability to help food brands protect customer satisfaction and loyalty at a time when retention is increasingly critical.
Pick By Light is a technology led automated picking system that uses illuminated, colour coded guidance to direct pickers precisely to the correct SKU and pick location. By removing the traditional trade-off between speed, accuracy and cost, the system enables consistently high fulfilment standards without increasing packing costs.
Oakland International Speciality Supply Chain Managing Director, Luke Attwell said: “For food brands, accuracy and reliability are non-negotiable. Pick By Light allows us to deliver consistently exacting standards across complex, multi temperature orders while maintaining a commercially viable fulfilment model.”
As consumer expectations around speed, accuracy and availability continue to rise, Pick By Light enables Oakland to deliver faster order turnaround, greater consistency at scale and a measurable reduction in picking errors that directly impact the end consumer.
The technology also supports Direct to Store fulfilment alongside D2C, giving food brands greater flexibility as they balance online growth with retail distribution. This capability reinforces the value of working with a specialist partner able to manage complexity without compromising service or brand reputation.
Managing Director Scott Torrington of Element Logic said: “This project is a strong example of what effective automation should deliver: a practical, tailored solution that responds to the realities of the customer’s operation. Oakland’s requirements evolved throughout the process, so our role was to remain agile, listen carefully and adapt as the brief developed.
“The result is a robust Pick By Light implementation that supports greater accuracy and efficiency across a complex multi-temperature fulfilment environment, while giving Oakland the flexibility to scale with its customers’ needs.”
By improving accuracy and responsiveness within the operation, Pick By Light also reduces waste, errors, rework and unnecessary handling, contributing to both cost efficiency and more sustainable supply chain outcomes.
Luke added: “For food brands, the result is improved order accuracy, fewer returns, scalable capacity to support growth and a better end consumer experience delivered without increased fulfilment costs.
“Reducing errors and rework has a direct impact on waste prevention. That’s good for our customers, good for their consumers, and aligns with our wider sustainability commitments.”
The introduction of Pick By Light forms part of Oakland International’s ongoing digital transformation strategy, focused on equipping food brands with resilient, future ready fulfilment infrastructure.
A Certified B Corporation, Oakland International provides a full suite of multi temperature supply chain services across the UK and Ireland and is recognised for tackling food waste through its award winning distress load management service.
