BOSTON, MA – Alert Innovation, a leader in grocery automation and micro fulfillment systems, strengthens its Retail Advisory Council (RAC) with the addition of Doug Straton, Chief Digital Officer at The Hershey Company.

With a successful career growing top global brands such as Unilever, LVMH, TAG Heuer and L’Oréal, Straton adds his experience to the RAC’s vast knowledge of online consumer behaviors, and best practices for omnichannel e-commerce.

“Grocery shoppers have shifted their spending to online channels dramatically over the past 16 months. In response, many of our retail partners are embracing automation,” said Straton. “I’m eager to provide a CPG perspective to the groundbreaking work at Alert Innovation, in particular the Alphabot platform that allows retailers to successfully fulfill orders that include temperature-sensitive products like chocolate through its system.”

The RAC is an alliance of executives and academics with expertise in grocery, retail, consumer behavior and e-commerce, and was established to influence development efforts at Alert Innovation focused on improving omnichannel grocery experiences. In addition to Straton, members include:

• Peter Fader – Professor of Marketing – The Wharton School, University of PA
• Chris Haimbach – US Head of Sales, Commercial Strategy & Operations, Consumer Health Care – Bayer
• Ann Raider – Executive, Global Retail – IRI
• Peter Larkin – Former President & CEO – National Grocers Association

“We are thrilled to welcome Doug to the RAC, and look forward to his valuable contributions and guidance as we expand our roadmap of automation solutions for grocery retailers,” said John Lert, Founder and CEO of Alert Innovation.

Learn more about the Alphabot system at www.alertinnovation.com.

About Alert Innovation, Inc

Alert Innovation^® is a thought leader in Retail and Grocery automation, driving innovation that improves lives by transforming how retailers operate and people shop. Alert Innovation is an industry leader in robotic e-grocery fulfillment. The Alphabot^® system, designed by the Alert Innovation team is a unique automated fulfillment solution that utilizes patented omnidirectional robots in a temperature-controlled system for fresh, efficient, and high-quality grocery fulfillment. Alert Innovation also designed the Novastore™, a store concept utilizing the Alphabot system, delivering a dynamic and efficient shopping experience.

www.alertinnovation.com

BOSTON, MA, June 30, 2021 – Alert Innovation, thought leader in grocery automation, launches www.e-grocery.com, an online educational resource for the global e-commerce and store automation community.

As grocery and retail brands begin to improve their bottom line with new technologies, robotics, and warehouse automation, the entire supply chain industry is changing rapidly. Supply chain operations are evolving into more efficient engines that integrate new computerized tools and employ new micro-fullfimment centers on-site and/or with ancillary fulfillment centers.

With so many changes, employees and business partners are forced to learn an entirely new vocabulary related to the updated value chain. e-Grocery.com is an online resource, updated in real-time, developed to educate the community and accommodate the fast-growing demand for information on new topics related to e-commerce in the grocery business.

“Alert Innovation is very excited to launch this new resource and guide for our business community,” said John Lert, Founder and CEO of Alert Innovation. “Our goal for the e-grocery.com site is to broaden the understanding of grocery e-commerce and store automation for improved conversations that continue to propel the industry forward.”

e-Grocery.com features a comprehensive vocabulary list of terms, phrases and acronyms that cover numerous topics in global grocery, retail and supply chain automation. The site uses a unique balance of multi-media including imagery, animations and videos to educate audiences on various terms and processes. Future plans include more resources such as industry white papers, best practice guides, and trend-spotting links for the industry.

The e-grocery.com site is continuously being updated and welcomes the addition of new terms through an online form. For more information, visit www.e-grocery.com.

About Alert Innovation, Inc

Founded in 2013, Alert Innovation’s mission is to improve people’s lives through innovation, starting with retail, by transforming how people shop and how retailers operate. Alert Innovation has brought to market the Alphabot® Automated Storage and Retrieval System and Automated Each-Picking System and is creating a new kind of automated supermarket called Novastore™. More information is available at http://www.AlertInnovation.com.

BOSTON, MA, May 19, 2021 – Alert Innovation, Inc., the thought leaders behind the fully automated Novastore supermarket concept and makers of the Alphabot® system, the retail industry’s most effective automated ecommerce fulfillment solution, is launching a training and career development organization for retail associates, managers, and third party service providers. Alert Innovation Academy trains employees to work with the Alphabot system using interactive programs that cover topics like safety, basic operation, troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, overall system management, and detailed servicing for experts.

“We are excited to offer Alert Innovation Academy as an automation career development path for traditional retail associates. We view the Academy as just one part of a whole new ecosystem that automation is driving, including manufacturing, engineering, quality, service and more. Our ability to train and develop the professionals needed to support that automation ecosystem will drive expansion and create job growth,” said John Lert, Founder and CEO of Alert Innovation.

Alert Innovation Academy starts with training retail associates to operate the Alphabot system, then provides a career path to robotics technician 1 and technician 2, where they learn much more about automation technology. The Academy also offers programs for those interested in the systems operations manager role. Beyond retail staff members, the Academy trains third party technical support and service companies to expertly maintain the Alphabot platform.

About Alert Innovation, Inc

Founded in 2013, Alert Innovation’s mission is to improve people’s lives through innovation, starting with retail, by transforming how people shop and how retailers operate. Alert Innovation has brought to market the Alphabot® Automated Storage and Retrieval System and Automated Each-Picking System and is creating a new kind of automated supermarket called Novastore™. More information is available at http://www.AlertInnovation.com.

BOSTON, MA, March 31, 2021 – Alert Innovation, Inc., the thought leaders behind the fully automated Novastore supermarket concept and makers of the Alphabot® system, the retail industry’s most effective automated ecommerce fulfillment solutions, announces the formation of the Alert Innovation Retail Advisory Council (RAC). The RAC will leverage the experience, skills and networks of Council members to improve performance of the Alphabot system for retailers, brands and shoppers.

Founding members of the Alert Innovation RAC include the following executives and academics with deep expertise across retailing, consumer products and technology:

• Peter Fader – Professor of Marketing, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
• Chris Haimbach – US Head of Sales, Commercial Strategy & Operations, Consumer Health Care, Bayer
• Ann Raider – Executive Global Retail, IRI & Consultant, Ann Raider Consulting
• Peter Larkin – Former President & CEO of National Grocers Association

“I am delighted our leadership team is working with such a great group of industry thought leaders. They will contribute to more rapid improvements of our Alphabot retail ecommerce order automation platform,” said John Lert, Founder and CEO of Alert Innovation.

The RAC will meet four times annually and have additional interactions with the Alert leadership team between sessions. Each member will serve a one year term with the potential to be renamed to the council.

“Store automation is the critical and fast growing retail technology area due to the acceleration of online shopping during the pandemic. It is exciting to experience this trend first hand and support Alert’s management team as they are very innovative and  new ground so important in helping retailers deliver added value to their customers while improving their own operating performance,” said Ann Raider.

Note to editors: Photos of the RAC members are available.

About Alert Innovation, Inc

Founded in 2013, Alert Innovation’s mission is to improve people’s lives through innovation, starting with retail, by transforming how people shop and how retailers operate. Alert Innovation has brought to market the Alphabot® Automated Storage and Retrieval System and Automated Each-Picking System and is creating a new kind of automated supermarket called Novastore™. More information is available at http://www.AlertInnovation.com.

BOSTON, MA, January 11, 2021 – Built In today announced that Alert Innovation, Inc., the maker of the retail industry’s most effective automated fulfillment solutions, was honored in its 2021 Best Places To Work Awards. Specifically, Alert earned a place on the Boston Best Places to Work and Boston Best Midsize Companies to Work For lists. The annual awards include companies of all sizes, from startups to the enterprise, nationally and in the eight largest tech markets and nationally.

“The full team at Alert Innovation is honored to be recognized for the company’s culture and the benefits we offer. As a fast growing company in a fast growing industry, we know the importance of being an employer of choice and this award validates the resources we’ve devoted to attracting and retaining great associates,” says Alert CEO and Founder John Lert.

Built In determines winners for Best Places to Work based on an algorithm, using company data about compensation, benefits and cultural programs. To reflect the attributes candidates are searching for on Built In today, this year’s program weighted criteria more heavily, like remote opportunities and programs for diversity, equity and inclusion.

“These companies raise the bar for cultural excellence and the ability to adapt to meet changing needs of employees,” says Sheridan Orr, Chief Marketing Officer, Built In. “The 2021 winners show a commitment not just to creating meaningful cultures but to delivering talent needs as they change in a dynamic landscape. We’re thrilled to extend our congratulations to the winners.”

Tech professionals rely on Built In’s Best Places to Work lists to discover employers that align with their preferences, passions and values. Since its inception three years ago, the award has expanded in reach, from online views of tens of thousands to just under 1 million views today.

About Built In

Built In, a revolution in tech recruitment, serves more than 1,800 innovative companies of all sizes, from startups to the enterprise, delivering content and digital recruitment solutions that work. The platform amplifies companies’ brands as national, local or remote employers of choice, as well as leaders in DEI. Monthly, 2.5 million tech professionals rely on Built In to stay up on trends, grow in their roles and discover companies with missions they want to join. The platform publishes stories about companies’ tech, culture and people. This activates sought-after professionals to apply to customers’ open roles. http://www.builtin.com

About Built In’s Best Places To Work

Built In’s esteemed Best Places to Work awards, now in its third year, honor companies across numerous categories: 100 Best Places to Work, 50 Best Small Places to Work, 100 Best Midsize Places to Work, 50 Companies with the Best Benefits and 50 Best Paying Companies. Two new national categories reflect what candidates are searching for, including 100 Best Large Companies to Work For and 50 Best Remote-First Places to Work.

Best Places To Work: Methodology

Built In ranks companies algorithmically based on compensation information, benefits and culture programs. This year, based on data showing tech professionals’ needs, the Best Places to Work algorithm added weight to companies’ commitment to DEI and remote culture. Rank is determined by combining a company’s score in each of these categories.

About Alert Innovation, Inc

Founded in 2013, Alert Innovation’s mission is to improve people’s lives through innovation, starting with retail, by transforming how people shop and how retailers operate. Alert Innovation has brought to market the Alphabot Automated Storage and Retrieval System and Automated Each-Picking System and is creating a new kind of automated supermarket called Novastore™. More information is available at http://www.AlertInnovation.com.

BOSTON, MA, December 18, 2020 – Alert Innovation, Inc., the maker of the retail industry’s most effective automated fulfillment solutions, is bolstering its executive team with the addition of John Gargasz as Vice President Platform and Business Development. Gargasz, who reports to Alert Innovation CEO and Founder John Lert, is charged with expanding Alerts grocery automation fulfillment business beyond the company’s anchor Walmart customer to the rest of the industry.

“John brings a breadth and depth of experience to Alert as an entrepreneur, manager and marketer to help our team realize the vision of Novastore and our mission to be the world’s leading supplier of automated grocery fulfillment solutions,” says Lert.

Gargasz is responsible for sales, marketing, product roadmap and partnership development.

“When I was introduced to Alert, I was very impressed by the years of forethought that John, Bill Fosnight and the team put into the Alphabot architecture to bring automation to the grocery business. It is a tremendous opportunity to market this solution to the grocery industry and help scale the business,” says Gargasz.

John Gargasz is a serial entrepreneur in tech and real estate and is also an early stage tech investor. His career spans a number of industry verticals including retail tech, defense communications, IoT Wireless and advanced materials with roles ranging from engineering to managing director and board member. He earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from University of Colorado.

About Alert Innovation, Inc

Founded in 2013, Alert Innovation’s mission is to improve people’s lives through innovation, starting with retail, by transforming how people shop and how retailers operate. Alert Innovation has brought to market the Alphabot Automated Storage and Retrieval System and Automated Each-Picking System and is creating a new kind of automated supermarket called Novastore™. More information is available at http://www.AlertInnovation.com.

BOSTON, MA, August 5, 2020 – Alert Innovation, Inc., the maker of the retail industry’s most effective automated fulfillment solutions, is further strengthening its executive team with the addition of Fritz Morgan as Chief Operating Officer. Morgan, who reports to Alert Innovation CEO and Founder John Lert, is responsible for engineering, deployment, new product development, operations, service, support and training.

“Fritz is a rare combination of a renaissance technologist and business leader,” says Lert. “His extensive experience in bringing complex and highly innovative technology products to market, along with his servant-leadership style, make him an ideal partner to me in leading our teams to deliver our technology now and develop compelling additional solutions that expand our product platform.”

Morgan most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at DEKA Research & Development. He previously held senior leadership roles at Digital Lumens, a warehouse and industrial IoT lighting specialist; Joule Unlimited, Inc., a producer of alternative energy technologies; Philips Lighting and Color Kinetics, which pioneered LED based lighting systems solutions.

“The need for innovation in robotics and automation is a critical challenge facing retailers right now and will be for the foreseeable future. John has put together an amazing team of technical and commercial experts that is successfully working to address these critical challenges. I’m excited to join Alert Innovation and address this rapidly growing market,” says Morgan, who is also Founding Team Architect of FIRST Global (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a global robotics competition to drive awareness of STEM education.

Morgan earned a BA in Physics from Clark University and a MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering with a specialty in Robotics from Carnegie Mellon University.

About Alert Innovation, Inc

Founded in 2013, Alert Innovation’s mission is to improve people’s lives through innovation, starting with retail, by transforming how people shop and how retailers operate. Alert Innovation has brought to market the Alphabot Automated Storage and Retrieval System and Automated Each-Picking System and is creating a new kind of automated supermarket called Novastore™. More information is available at http://www.AlertInnovation.com.

BOSTON, MA, August 19, 2019 /Alert Innovation, Inc/ – Under the terms of the partnership, Murata Machinery, Ltd. (hereinafter, Muratec) a global leader in the material handling industry, will collaborate with Alert Innovation in both the development and commercialization of Alert Innovation’s Alphabot^® material handling technology. Having recognized Alphabot’s superior capabilities across diverse automation applications, Muratec will adapt and sell the technology to support applications beyond Alert Innovation’s focus on transforming grocery retail.

“We developed the Alphabot technology to solve arguably the most difficult automation challenge in any industry, namely automating the supermarket,” says John Lert, Founder and CEO of Alert Innovation. “In solving that problem, we have created a technology that will be the best-in-class solution for a broad array of automation problems as well. Our partnership with Murata makes it possible for companies other than food retailers to benefit from this breakthrough technology, and it will also make both Muratec and Alert Innovation stronger companies in the process.”

Alphabot features robots that can navigate three-dimensional structures and is the most capital-efficient and broadly scalable each picking technology ever developed. It will power retail applications ranging from store-level micro-fulfillment systems to massive eCommerce fulfillment centers, and a large array of applications in factory automation and hospital automation.

“We believe the flexible mobile robotics solution that Alert Innovation has pioneered in the United States will provide distinct advantages for our customers with regard to storage density, cost efficiency and high reliability with no single point of failure”, says Toshihiko Ishiyama, Managing Director of Muratec.

About Alert Innovation, Inc

Founded in 2013, Alert Innovation’s mission is to improve people’s lives through innovation, starting with retail, by transforming how people shop and how retailers operate. Alert Innovation has brought to market the Alphabot Automated Storage and Retrieval System and Automated Each-Picking System and is creating a new kind of automated supermarket called Novastore™.

About Murata Machinery, Ltd.

For half a century, Muratec’s automated material handling systems have assisted over 5,000 companies in creating efficient storage and shipping systems. Muratec’s automated turnkey material handling and information control systems have positioned Muratec as a global leader in the material handling industry.