Banana Ripening Automation Case Study: Compagnie Fruitière
World’s First Automated Storage and Retrieval System for Banana Ripening
Key Figures at a glance:
| Location | London, United Kingdom |
| Operational Time | 12 hours per day, 5 days per week (inbound 12 hours per day) |
| Throughput IN | 42 pallets per hour |
| Throughput OUT | 42 pallets per hour |
| Taxis | 8 Moffett Automation Taxi pallet shuttles |
| Building Height | 7 metres |
| VTUs | 2 Moffett Automation VTUs |
| Inbound Locations | 2 |
| Outbound Locations | 2 |
| Special features | World’s first automated banana ripening AS/RS, pressed zero-gap pallet storage, airtight ripening chambers and door-to-rack bridging |
Maximising throughput, safety and airflow with integrated racking, pressed zero-gap storage and precision traffic management.
Project Overview
Compagnie Fruitière London operates the world’s first fully automated banana ripening storage and retrieval system, purpose-built to combine pallet storage, airflow optimisation and ripening control in one automated process.
The business needed a system that could improve ripening efficiency, maximise available space and reduce manual handling while protecting the controlled conditions required for banana ripening. Moffett Automation designed a specialist automated storage and retrieval system that brings together pressed zero-gap pallet storage, airtight ripening chambers, Moffett Automation WCS control and automated pallet transfer.
The result is a highly specialised automated ripening facility that supports throughput, product consistency, safety and long-term operational efficiency.
Project objectives:
- Deliver a fully automated system purpose-built for banana storage and ripening
- Use pressed zero-gap pallet storage to support airflow and space utilisation
- Control storage, pallet movement and ripening logic through Moffett Automation WCS
- Improve operational safety and accessibility through door-to-rack bridging and integrated maintenance access
Challenges Presented
Automating Banana Ripening in a Controlled Environment
Traditional banana ripening processes can be limited by manual handling, inconsistent airflow, inefficient space use and operational complexity. Compagnie Fruitière needed a solution that could combine storage and ripening within a tightly controlled automated environment.
The system had to move pallets efficiently into airtight ripening chambers, support consistent cross-refrigeration airflow and maximise capacity using pressed zero-gap storage. It also needed to improve safety and maintenance access while simplifying system control through one dedicated warehouse control platform.
Storage Transformed
A Purpose-Built Automated Banana Ripening System
Moffett Automation delivered a purpose-built automated storage and retrieval system designed specifically for banana ripening. The system combines automated pallet movement, pressed zero-gap storage, airtight ripening chambers, vertical transfer, conveyor integration and Moffett Automation WCS control.
Moffett Automation Taxi pallet shuttles
8 Moffett Automation Taxi pallet shuttles were deployed to move pallets efficiently across the four operational requirements of the warehouse.
Moffett Automation Conveyor
The conveyor line was integrated with the Moffett Automation system to support controlled pallet movement into and out of the ripening process.
Moffett Automation VTU
2 Moffett Automation VTUs were introduced to support vertical pallet movement and optimise use of the available building height.
Moffett Automation WCS
Moffett Automation WCS manages pallet storage, traffic control and route scheduling, controlling the system without requiring external integration.
Safety measures
The project included fencing, light curtains, remote access and controlled access measures to support safe interaction between people, equipment and automated pallet movement.
Technical online support
Moffett Automation provides 24/7 remote technical support from its in-house team to help maintain system availability and respond quickly to operational issues.
Local mechanical support
The Moffett Automation system is supported by a local service partner providing preventative maintenance and rapid 24-hour on-site response when required.
Project Results
The Moffett Automation system delivered the world’s first fully automated banana ripening AS/RS for Compagnie Fruitière London, providing capacity for 1,800 pallet locations while combining storage and ripening in a single controlled process.
Pressed zero-gap pallet storage supports airflow and space utilisation, while automated pallet transfers move product into airtight ripening chambers with minimal manual handling. Controlled entirely through Moffett Automation WCS, the system simplifies operation and supports precision throughout the ripening process.
Additional innovations, including 220mm door-to-rack bridging and integrated maintenance baskets, improve operational safety, access and serviceability. The result is a specialist automated ripening facility that improves throughput, strengthens product consistency and gives Compagnie Fruitière a future-ready platform for long-term growth.
Planning a Specialist Automated Storage Project?
Speak to Moffett Automation’s engineering team about automated pallet storage, controlled-environment handling, specialist product flows and software-driven warehouse control. We can review your layout, pallet profile, throughput requirements and operational constraints to identify the right automation approach.
