Central Hub and Last Mile Depot Solutions | FORTNA

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Solutions: Central Hub/Last Mile Depot

Accelerate performance with central hub and last mile depot solutions

Central hub/last mile depot is a goods distribution model that serves as a central distribution node. This node acts as a logistics hub, optimising a company’s transportation flow and minimising distribution costs.

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The center of your distribution strategy

Optimise your network for intelligent, high-speed deliveries

The central hub is a centralised distribution centre where parcels are sorted and dispatched. The last mile depot is where parcels are delivered directly to consumers. These two pieces are strategically allocated in a combined system to allow for efficient long-distance shipping delivery routes.

By centralising the storage and transportation of inventory in a central facility from which goods are distributed to multiple regional warehouses when required, the central hub/last mile depot model optimises truck loading and thus final delivery, as orders are consolidated and dispatched with routes optimised to decrease shipping costs. It ensures excellent service for rural areas as well.

Overcome last mile delivery challenges to boost profitability

Central hub and last mile depot solutions allow companies to fast-track same-day deliveries by streamlining the final step of your shipping and delivery process.

By arming your distribution operations with a central warehouse that’s used to cater to various destinations—whether that’s customers, stores or other smaller warehouses—central hub and last mile depot solutions play an important part in supply chain strategy, helping you minimise your overall transportation costs.

FORTNA delivers tailored solutions that bring these strategies to life. Leveraging advanced sortation systems, conveyors, and robotics—integrated seamlessly through our proven expertise—we help your business achieve faster, more efficient performance. The result is a stronger competitive advantage and the ability to consistently meet evolving customer expectations.

Benefits of a central hub/last mile depot model:

Achieve faster delivery speeds and cost efficiencies
Save time and increase your bottom line
Enable two-day, one-day, and even same-day delivery
Provide a superior customer experience
Efficiently allocate staff and resources to meet increasing order volumes
Reduce emissions and achieve sustainability goals

From hub to doorstep: enhancing inventory accuracy and efficiency

A central hub/last mile depot model enhances inventory traceability and control by centralising visibility and streamlining stock management. The central hub acts as a control point where all goods are received, processed and distributed, enabling real-time tracking. This consolidation ensures every SKU’s movement is recorded accurately, improving traceability across the network. By allocating stock strategically to last mile depots, the model maintains optimal inventory levels closer to customers while preventing overstocking or shortages.

The central hub ensures unified control and visibility, while last mile depots bring flexibility and responsiveness closer to customers.

Customer Success Case Study

GLS International Hub: Smarter, Faster Parcel Sorting in One Integrated Solution

Strategically located near major motorways, the GLS international hub in Sordio, closed to Milan, serves as the courier’s primary sorting centre for international shipments to and from Italy.

Not only is this sorting system highly productive—it can also handle what’s known in the automation world as non-conveyable—all within a single, integrated solution. With an interconnected flow, the hub features two FORTNA cross-belt systems for sorting regular and small parcels, while a dedicated linear system detects and processes irregular and oversized items.

Long-term performance is supported now by the FORTNA Residential Maintenance team, who ensure the system runs efficiently day after day, delivering speed and accuracy.

The FORTNA difference

The FORTNA data-driven, consultative approach sets us apart by turning operational data into actionable insights that drive measurable results. We don’t just recommend solutions—we analyse your unique operational metrics, workflows and demand patterns to identify the most impactful opportunities for improvement. Our consultative process combines advanced analytics with robust supply chain expertise to design strategies tailored specifically to your facility needs, whether that is optimising throughput, improving labour efficiency or increasing storage utilisation. This fact-based methodology ensures decisions are grounded in evidence, not assumptions, delivering long-term value and a clear return on investment for your warehouse operations.

FORTNA Distribution Optimization Framework Lifecycle Performance Services supports a diverse portfolio of MHE and software implementations worldwide

FORTNA Framework

FORTNA can help optimise business-critical operations with the FORTNA Framework™

The FORTNA Distribution Optimisation Framework^TM (FORTNA Framework) leverages proprietary processes, tools, and algorithms to design and deliver solutions using best-fit automation technologies and intelligent software.

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FORTNA's experience enables us to develop solutions for industry-unique challenges and cross-pollinate best-in-class strategies and solutions.

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FAQs

A central hub/last mile depot model in logistics consolidates goods at a main hub, then distributes them to smaller local depots closer to customers. These depots handle the “last mile” of delivery.

By consolidating operations, the model enables smarter route planning, shortens transit times and supports scalable growth. This leads to a more reliable and efficient distribution network.

A central hub/last mile depot model helps cut transportation costs, speed up deliveries and lower environmental impact. The model also eases pressure on central facilities, ensures better use of resources, and strengthens overall network resilience. Customers enjoy greater flexibility, reliability and service quality, while businesses gain a more efficient and adaptive distribution system.

A central hub/last mile depot model is commonly used by e-Commerce companies, parcel and courier services, retail chains, food and grocery distributors, and third-party logistics providers. The model suits businesses handling high delivery volumes and time-sensitive shipments, where efficiency, speed and scalability in distribution are essential.

To develop a central hub/last mile depot model, partner with experts like FORTNA who analyse your network, recommend strategies and implement automation for efficiency, cost reduction and scalability. Expert insights ensure optimal hub locations, depot sizing and seamless operations from warehouse to customer.