Home Depot has acquired warehouse technology company Simpl Automation as the retailer looks to accelerate product flow through its distribution network and strengthen its fulfillment strategy.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Simpl Automation specialises in automated storage and retrieval systems supporting both goods-to-person and person-to-goods workflows, along with vertical lift modules designed for high-density storage.
The acquisition follows a pilot deployment of Simpl’s technology at Home Depot’s distribution centre in Locust Grove, Georgia. According to the company, the pilot delivered faster picking speeds, shorter cycle times and fewer product touches.
Home Depot said the move will support its same-day and next-day fulfillment ambitions while also contributing to safer working conditions inside its facilities. The retailer also expects the technology to help position a broader range of high-demand products closer to customers, improving both delivery speed and product availability.
Amit Kalra, senior vice president of supply chain at Home Depot, said the addition of Simpl’s automation technology will help accelerate the movement of products through the retailer’s distribution network with greater speed and precision.
The acquisition fits into Home Depot’s broader multi-year expansion of its distribution and delivery network. As of December, the retailer had added nearly 200 facilities serving different functions, including the handling of bulky building materials and the fulfillment of high-demand stock keeping units.
The deal also reflects a wider pattern in the market. Other major retailers have also used acquisitions to strengthen supply chain capabilities. Walmart acquired grocery automation firm Alert Innovation in 2022 and invested in Symbotic, while Amazon has spent years buying companies such as Canvas Technology and Cloostermans to expand its robotics and mechatronics capabilities.
For Home Depot, the Simpl deal represents another step in combining physical network expansion with deeper warehouse automation.
