In recent years, Hubei Provincial Bureau (Company) has innovatively implemented intelligent algorithms and flexible caching technologies tailored to the operational realities of Xiaogan Municipal Bureau (Company). They developed a "package-driven" operational model featuring terminal packaging requirements as the core, multi-level caching mechanisms as the backbone, and modular equipment as the foundation. This approach has effectively reduced costs, improved quality, enhanced efficiency, while elevating customer service standards and satisfaction levels.

The whole product sorting has a "smart brain"

Recently, at the sorting workshop of Xiaogan Municipal Bureau (Company) Logistics Center, a row of robotic arms effortlessly grasped cigarette packs of various shapes. These previously challenging-to-process irregularly shaped tobacco products have now been successfully guided onto automated sorting lines through the precision of robotic arms and algorithmic systems, achieving comprehensive automatic sorting and packaging for all product specifications.

The evolving consumer demand has driven a surge in the market for irregular-shaped cigarettes, creating significant logistical challenges for sorting and distribution operations. Take Xiaogan Municipal Bureau (Company) as an example: Previously, the operational efficiency of its sorting lines struggled to break through due to the constraints of irregular cigarette shapes. Despite 34 workers sweating it out across three sorting lines, the hourly output remained stuck at 18,000 cartons—a classic case of "three monkeys pulling one string" in logistics.

Since 2023, Hubei Provincial Bureau (Company) has taken the technical upgrade of Xiaogan Municipal Bureau (Company) Logistics Center as an opportunity, collaborated with relevant equipment manufacturers, jointly developed and successfully explored the "package determines quantity" sorting and packaging operation mode for all cigarette specifications, and established a collaborative mechanism that drives sorting execution based on reverse packaging demand.

Breaking the traditional linear process of "packaging after distribution", Hubei Provincial Bureau (Company) relies on algorithm-driven technology to realize "fine packaging" and reverse drive the sorting process of "precise cigarette delivery". Finally, the cigarette delivery and packaging processes are highly coordinated to achieve "instant packaging", reducing waiting time and improving overall operation efficiency and stability.

"In the new model, the algorithm becomes the 'smart brain' of the system," said Wang Jianshu, director of the logistics department of Hubei Bureau (Company). "All kinds of models have their own roles and work efficiently together, pushing the logistics sorting operation from the 'experience-driven' stage to a new stage of 'data-driven'."

The task scheduling algorithm is the "scheduling leader", responsible for scientifically assigning sorting tasks to each sub-line and reasonably distributing the load;

Flexible supporting algorithm is the "sorting commander", responsible for dealing with the collaborative sorting of small cigarettes, medium cigarettes and special type cigarettes, so as to ensure the efficient connection and orderly flow of different specifications of products;

Stack optimization algorithm is a "packaging designer", which comprehensively weighs the goals of stack stability, minimum number of packs and moderate number of cigarettes per pack, so as to improve efficiency while ensuring that the package is not easy to collapse;

The anomaly perception algorithm acts like a "field safety officer", which monitors the equipment status and execution deviation in real time, issues early warning and deals with abnormal situations in time to ensure the stable operation of the system.

The "package-based quota system" drives process optimization, while algorithm-powered enhancements boost efficiency. Following the technological upgrade, Xiaogan Municipal Bureau (Company) increased its sorting capacity from 18,000 to 24,000 items per hour. During the 2025 New Year and Spring Festival holidays, it processed 260,000 orders in just 11 hours—a 31% acceleration compared to previous years.

Flexible jobs have a "hard core support"

The "package determines the score" model works well, and the modular layout and multi-level caching strategy are crucial.

What is modular layout? Focusing on four core operational stages—stock preparation, sorting, packaging, and loading—the Hubei Provincial Bureau (Company) has restructured its entire system into independent functional modules. This innovative "plug-and-play" architecture enables each module to operate independently while coordinating with the system, significantly enhancing both scalability and operational adaptability.

"Modular layout is also inseparable from the support of algorithms," said Zhou Peng, a staff member of the Logistics Department of Hubei Bureau (Company). "Intelligent algorithms can dynamically adjust the start and stop order of modules, operation rhythm and path allocation, so as to realize on-demand awakening and combination of equipment."

For example, before the arrival of important festivals, the proportion of special type cigarette sorting is correspondingly increased. Xiaogan Bureau (Company) will allocate more equipment resources to the special type cigarette sorting module to improve the operation efficiency of weak links, so as to realize the efficient operation of the whole logistics operation.

If the modular layout is to achieve the "just right" match between demand and capacity, then the multi-level caching strategy is to ensure that there is no need for backup, and that sorting and packaging are "seamless" and "resonant".

To address sorting bottlenecks and balance production capacity across equipment, Xiaogan Municipal Bureau (Company) has implemented a three-tier caching system comprising primary, dynamic, and emergency buffer zones. The primary buffer handles batch order storage to manage daily workload fluctuations and peak demands. The dynamic buffer efficiently routes urgent orders to optimize resource utilization and operational efficiency. The emergency buffer addresses sudden order surges and equipment failures, significantly enhancing system resilience.

Through the hierarchical control of order flow by three-level cache, Xiaogan Municipal Bureau (Company) effectively improved the stability of system rhythm and emergency response ability, and guaranteed the continuous operation and flexible operation of the system.

Since the new operational model was implemented, Xiaogan Municipal Bureau (Company) has achieved a 40% reduction in idle equipment rates, with peak sorting capacity exceeding 28,000 items per hour and an effective operation rate reaching 98%. The modular layout combined with multi-level caching strategies have enhanced system flexibility and stability, driving Xiaogan Tobacco Logistics toward more efficient, low-carbon, and intelligent development.

Green production has an "innovative gene"

Green development poses questions and innovation drives answers.

Under the guidance of Hubei Provincial Bureau (Company), Xiaogan Municipal Bureau (Company) has actively launched innovative projects this year, including the application of flexible plastic recycling boxes and the development of a "vacuum adsorption + flexible robotic arm" system. These initiatives address challenges such as excessive packaging film consumption and unstable handling of irregular-shaped cigarettes, driving logistics operations toward greener and smarter development while fulfilling corporate social responsibility.

Focusing on green and low-carbon transformation, Xiaogan Municipal Bureau (Company) has strengthened innovation empowerment to drive cost reduction and efficiency improvement. —— Significant material conservation effects: The flatness of single-pack cigarette packaging reached 98%, with PE film consumption decreasing by 24%. Reduced per-case film usage saved approximately 150,000 yuan in annual PE packaging costs. —— Equipment performance enhancement: The entire sorting line's capacity was significantly improved, with vehicle loading efficiency increasing by 13.62%. Fault recovery time was shortened to 3 minutes, boosting operational efficiency to 99.5% and saving about 20,000 yuan in electricity costs annually. —— Continuous process optimization: With unchanged order volume structure, cigarette pack quantities decreased by nearly 25%, while daily delivery time per line was reduced by about 1 hour. Through process reengineering and digital transformation, the bureau optimized organizational structure and workforce allocation. Sorting line staff was streamlined from 34 to 14, with 20 employees reassigned to other positions, resulting in more rational staffing. Distribution routes were adjusted from 42 to 27, and terminal delivery vehicles reduced from 40 to 27, achieving more scientific and efficient route planning.

Building on this foundation, Xiaogan Municipal Bureau (Company) has optimized its service mechanisms and enhanced terminal delivery support. By implementing the "3+1" door-to-door delivery model combined with direct delivery strategies, they achieved dual improvements in service quality and resource efficiency. The average daily delivery volume per vehicle now ranks first among provincial tobacco commercial systems. Energy consumption per carton of transportation dropped to 3.64 yuan, marking a 29.62% year-on-year decrease, while customer satisfaction rose to 98.7%.

Green development and innovation-driven strategies are injecting strong momentum into building a high-quality logistics system. The Hubei Provincial Bureau (Company) stated that it will continue to optimize technical pathways, improve management mechanisms, and promote the "package-based quota allocation" model across broader areas. These efforts aim to further enhance the flexibility, intelligence, and environmental sustainability of cigarette logistics systems, thereby laying a solid logistics foundation for enterprises' high-quality development and modernization.

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