Subscribe

Tag: Materials Handling

Linde adds robotic trucks to automation portfolio

Posted on by David Priestman

Autonomous transport vehicles open up great opportunities for even more efficient in-house logistics; with its Linde C-MATIC mobile robots, Linde Material Handling is expanding its extensive portfolio of automated solutions with three compact, agile and flexibly deployable logistics helpers for horizontal goods movements in warehouses and production.

Industrial robots that autonomously lift and move loads and navigate using QR codes have been in use for over a decade. But it is only now that many companies are discovering the benefits of these compact vehicles for their in-house material flow.

“Strong online commerce, on-going staff shortages, increasing goods movement in warehouses and production, and growing safety requirements to prevent personal injury and property damage have businesses looking for smart solutions to these challenges. Here the growing range of automated and autonomous systems comes in very handy for many companies,” says Philipp Stephan, Product Manager Automation & Intralogistics Solutions.

The new, compact and highly manoeuvrable Linde C-MATIC transport robots can handle maximum loads of 600, 1,000 and 1,500 kilograms even faster and with more agility. The “platforms on wheels”, which are around one meter long and just under one meter wide, can both turn on the spot and rotate the picked-up load. This means they require little space for driving or turning manoeuvres and are suitable for cramped warehouse layouts.

“The vehicles can be used in an extremely wide range of applications: They transport automotive components to modern production lines, they move building materials, spare parts, paper or clothing on pallets or in wire mesh crates through the warehouse, or bring ‘goods to people’, thus following a picking concept practiced primarily in online retailing,” says product expert Stephan, describing the situation.

Load pickup via table or pallet

The autonomous platform vehicles can pick up loads in two different ways: First, via a transport table that they can drive underneath, on which the goods, a pallet or a wire mesh crate are placed. Positioned underneath the table centre, a QR code ensures that the transported goods are not only picked up centrally and aligned correctly but can also be clearly identified. This means that the goods and their path through the facility can be tracked. Secondly, the transport robot can pick up the pallet directly or via a permanently mounted adapter plate from a transfer station or roller conveyor.

Goods handling is fully automatic: The Linde C-MATIC moves to a defined transfer point and places the surface of the load handling device centrally underneath the transport table or under the pallet positioned in a transfer rack. The cart then lifts the load and brings it to the designated staging area at a speed of up to 7.2km/h.

Navigation through the surrounding area is also accomplished via QR codes placed in a grid pattern on the floor and read by the QR camera installed on the vehicle. The transport robots receive information about the destination located at a short to medium distance from the warehouse management system, e.g. the “Linde Warehouse Navigator”. The vehicle’s software determines the optimal route through the building for each individual transport job.

A laser scanner ensures the reliable detection of moving or stationary obstacles. Thanks to real-time information processing, the Linde C-MATIC adapts its speed to the respective situation and remains stationary until people and vehicles have left the monitored zone. The vehicle automatically avoids fixed obstacles. It also issues visual and acoustic warning signals. Separate emergency stop switches on all four sides allow manual intervention. The mechanical shock absorbers fitted all around protect the vehicle from collision damage.

Wide variety of applications

The most common application is line transport between two points. But the transport robots can also interact with other autonomous or automated vehicles such as narrow-aisle trucks, reach trucks or pallet stackers by setting down or picking up goods at defined transfer points.

Charging of the lithium-ion battery is software-controlled: If the charge falls below a defined level or if there is currently no driving job to be carried out, the C-MATIC moves to the self-charging station and waits there for the next job.

 

 

Cameroon terminal updates fleet with Konecranes trucks

Posted on by Keith McKinley

The Container Terminal Management of the Port of Douala (RTC) has received delivery of five Konecranes Liftace reach stackers and one empty container handler to increase the productivity of its operations. The order was booked in April 2021, and the lift trucks were handed over in a special on-site ceremony in December 2021.

RTC is part of the Port Authority of Douala and has been in charge of managing the terminal on the west African coast since January 2020. Douala is the economic centre of – and the largest city in – Cameroon. It is one of central Africa’s largest ports, also providing sea access to the landlocked regions of Chad, the Central African Republic and the northern area of the Republic of the Congo. RTC is keen to update its multimodal terminal with reliable, modern container handling equipment to increase capacity as demand continues to rise, with an average annual throughput of 370,000 TEU traveling on sea, road and rail. The lift trucks are used for most of the export yard operations and taking care of empty containers.

“Our terminal has been using Konecranes products for years, and they’ve provided outstanding performance,” says Adepi Martin, Chief Operation Officer of RTC. “With the help of their excellent customer service, we’re sure that these new Konecranes lift trucks will help us to maximise our efficiency all the way from landside to quayside, reduce vessel anchorage time and transit time, and improve container truck turnaround.”

“This new delivery shows the level of confidence that RTC has in Konecranes,” says Winfried Lux, Sales Manager for Konecranes Lift Trucks. “We offer durability, reliability and flexibility in both our products and our partnership with them. Local dealer Patterson Simons & Co. (Africa) Ltd. has provided essential support whenever needed and we are pleased to continue working with RTC as they develop their terminal fleet into the future.”

The five new reach stackers are Konecranes Liftace SMV 4532 TCE5s, sturdy 45-tonne lifting machines able to stack up to five containers high. The empty container handler is an SMV 6/7 ECC 90, with a wide mast for the option of stacking six empty high-cube containers or seven standard containers. All six lift trucks feature the ergonomic OPTIMA cabin for comfort and wide visibility, and each vehicle uses a Tier 3 engine to maintain productivity while minimising fuel consumption and emissions.

Included in the delivery are full spare parts packages, ensuring that parts will always be available when needed, eliminating delivery wait times, minimising downtime and allowing easier maintenance planning.

A strong focus on customers and a commitment to business growth and continuous improvement make Konecranes a lifting industry leader. This is underpinned by investments in digitalisation and technology, plus our work to make material flows more efficient with solutions that decarbonise the economy and advance circularity and safety.

Amazon chooses Flexi fleet for Dubai DC

Posted on by David Priestman

Amazon has ordered a fleet of six Flexi Truck articulated forklift trucks for its DXB3 fulfilment centre in Dubai Logistics City, UAE.

The e-commerce site launched in the UAE in May 2019 and, spread over 32,700 sq m and stocked with more than four million products, the DXB3 site is Amazon’s largest fulfilment centre facility in the country with in excess of 650  staff employed there.

Amazon’s new Flexi Trucks feature digital electric motor technology that allows independent twin front-wheel drive, hydraulic functions and the truck’s unique power-steering motor to be controlled digitally – ensuring the most productive, energy-efficient and safe driving performance throughout the working day.

The control systems at the heart of the Flexis deliver higher productivity combined with significantly reduced operating and maintenance costs, while the trucks’ VNA functionality and ability to work both inside and outside the building, make it the ideal choice for Amazon’s UAE operation.

Operational efficiency at the Dubai facility is further enhanced thanks to an integrated lead-acid battery charging solution that dramatically reduces Amazon’s overall energy consumption.

Featuring ‘call-forward’ alert technology to identify the most appropriate fully charged battery when a change is due, the charge system allows Amazon to operate with only two batteries per truck on a three shift usage pattern to minimise materials handling fleet running costs.

Flexi Trucks are built at hubs in the UK and Taiwan by Narrow Aisle Ltd. International sales account for some 40% of Narrow Aisle’s business and a global network of partners provides a full range of after sales support services to Flexi Truck users in some 63 countries worldwide.

Narrow Aisle Ltd’s managing director, John Maguire, commented: “The Flexi Truck’s iconic articulated design is ideally suited to the modern fulfilment centre operation. Flexi Trucks save space, increase productivity and allow safe access to any stacking aisle at all times.

“The Flexi’s ability to work in very narrow aisles means 30% more pallet and shelving locations can be designed into storage systems compared with traditional wide aisle operations while comparison tests have highlighted that Flexis are 25% more productive during a typical shift.

“To achieve optimum online order fulfilment performance it is important to deploy the most suitable materials handling equipment and the Flexi Truck articulated forklift-based intralogistics solution delivers hugely improved productivity and increased safety for warehouse staff as they carry out a range of customer order picking duties at lower levels and at the same time Flexis can stack and replenish in complete safety at height within warehouse aisles.”

Toyota launches purpose-designed Li-ion PPT

Posted on by David Priestman

Toyota has introduced to the UK what it describes as the materials handling industry’s first-ever purpose-designed lithium-ion powered pallet truck (PPT) – the 1600kg capacity Toyota BT Levio LWI160.

Thanks to its unique modular, compact lithium-ion battery solution, it has opened the possibility to re-think design standards of material handling equipment. The result: a truck with optimised component position, smaller dimensions, light weight, and low energy consumption. Toyota says that unlike standard powered pallet truck designs, the battery compartment has been removed. Because of this the truck is lighter and, with no lifting or lowering of a battery compartment, it is much more energy efficient, leading to maximum uptime and reduced CO2 emissions.

Losing the battery compartment also means that the LWI160 is smaller than traditional lead-acid battery-powered PPT models: it is just 419mm long and 726mm wide and weighs only 269kg – almost 50% less than the lead-acid version.

The dramatic reductions in the truck’s dimensions and weight mean that a low steering force is required, which makes the new model easy to manoeuvre and, therefore, ideal for use within lorries and mezzanine floors or at sites where space is at a premium, such as retail stores.

The new LWI160 offers outstanding slope performance –  when operating on inclines is required, and the truck’s compact measurements mean that the operator has an unrestricted view of the fork tips and the pallet load, which reduces the risk of accidental damage to goods.

For optimum operational flexibility, lithium-ion batteries can be fully charged anywhere there is a power socket, utilising the on-board charger, which in just over an hour can be fully recharged. And where a larger battery is preferred, external chargers are available, but again can be recharged in just over an hour.

Like all models in the Toyota warehouse equipment range, the Levio LWI160 is fitted with Toyota’s I_Site telematics technology. I_Site provides valuable data to ensure productivity and safety are optimised while forklift fleet running costs are kept to a minimum.

Toyota Material Handling UK’s Keith Smith, commented: “Our modular approach to lithium-ion batteries has opened the door for a fresh new approach to the design of materials handling equipment. The LWI160 boasts advances in technology and design, whilst remaining true to what our customers expect from Toyota. A strong, durable, quality product.”

The LWI160 has won prestigious Red Dot and iF awards for its ground-breaking design.

Rockwell to showcase virtual warehouse at MODEX

Posted on by David Priestman

Rockwell Automation, Inc., the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, is doubling down on its commitment to the warehouse and fulfilment industry by exhibiting for the first time at MODEX 2022, in Atlanta, on March 28th-31st. The company will demonstrate its proven solutions designed to help customers’ operations be more intelligent, connected, and productive.

“Emulate3D is excited to be exhibiting together with its parent company, Rockwell Automation, for the first time at MODEX, to demonstrate Rockwell’s game-changing automation and digital twin supply chain solutions in-person,” said Linda Freeman, manager, regional industry, Rockwell Automation. “We look forward to joining nearly 20 of our OEM, system integrator, and technology partners in Atlanta to showcase Rockwell’s technologies in booths throughout the show floor and provide attendees with an unforgettable, interactive experience.”

MODEX attendees can stop by Rockwell’s booth (B6611) to experience the newest and most innovative technology in the industry. Some of the technologies that will be on display that attendees can interact with and experience first-hand include:

Emulate3D Simulation Station: See how MODEX veteran, Emulate3D, Rockwell’s digital design software, can reduce time to market, improve start up reliability and enable scenario planning. The ease of use is clear as 3D warehouse drawings are modified in real time in the booth.

MagneMover LITE Intelligent Conveyor Demo: A smart, frictionless transport system designed to move loads quickly and efficiently. See it deliver flexible routing and high-speed sorting in a small, low-maintenance footprint. Includes an AR workforce demo.

Armor PowerFlex Drives (pictured): The next generation of space-saving motor control will debut at MODEX. This modular solution features built in safety, is ideal for a wide range of environments and size requirements, and provides real-time data to the enterprise.

Interactive Virtual Warehouse: Attendees can dive into this interactive experience and explore videos and demos of the latest warehouse and logistics solutions like independent cart technology, digital facility design, unified robotic control, and more.

In addition to its own booth, the latest Rockwell solutions will be on display across MODEX in nearly 20 of its PartnerNetwork member booths. For example, Rockwell’s Technology Partner, Comau is showcasing an independent cart technology, Rockwell-controlled robot demo in its booth (B9632). Additionally, FlexLink Systems, Inc., a gold level OEM partner, will feature a full pharma sort system simulation based on Rockwell’s MagneMover LITE in its booth (B1007).

“I’m excited about the possibilities that a major, well-known, well-established company like Rockwell can bring to this space,” commented Tandreia Bellamy, founder of TB Supply Chain Consulting and former global logistics executive. “From building a digital twin to do real, what-if scenarios, to independent cart technology that truly pulls products through a warehouse, they’re really looking at it from end-to-end.”

Rockwell says those who experience its game-changing solutions first-hand at MODEX will learn how their warehouse and logistics operations can become more connected and efficient.

HAI and Anta launch latest warehouse automation project

Posted on by David Priestman

HAI ROBOTICS is working with sportswear giant Anta on a third automated warehouse following the success of two earlier projects. The subscription of the latest project from Anta, together with dozens of projects ongoing in the footwear and apparel market, marks HAI ROBOTICS an established supplier in the sector.

HAI ROBOTICS, a global pioneer in Autonomous Case-handling Robotic (ACR) system for warehouse logistics, and Anta, the world’s top three sportswear brand, will launch in south China a new project, as the autonomous robot maker’s cutting-edge autonomous totes-to-person solution will help Anta accommodate surging orders.

The new project, to be launched in April in Anta’s brand-new warehouse in Foshan, Guangdong Province, will be the third joint-project between the two companies, marking HAI ROBOTICS’ continued success in warehouse automation, in footwear and apparel sector in particular.

Using HAI ROBOTICS’ ACR system, the 9m-high warehouse would reach a much higher storage density to offer up to 30,240 locations, with daily throughput expected to reach 128,000 units.

As an official sponsor of the Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics, Anta has seen surging deals, putting warehouse logistics under mounting pressure.

“Anta sees HAI ROBOTICS as an important long-term partner, as we have shared ambition in smart warehousing,” Chen Jiancong, General Manager of logistics of Anta Group, said at the group’s logistics partnership conference, held in its headquarters in Jinjiang, southeast China’s Fujian Province.

Richie Chen, founder and CEO of HAI ROBOTICS, said his company names Anta as one of the top-10 most important global clients, who are entitled to more tailored service. “Together we will keep innovating to address more challenging scenarios for the footwear and apparel warehousing sector and bring more added value to our customers,” Chen said.

HAI ROBOTICS, named a global AI unicorn by Hurun Research Institute in the 2021 ranking, has dozens of ongoing projects for top footwear and apparel brands.

The company was awarded the best strategic supplier by Anta, at Tuesday’s conference, to recognise the efficiency the ACR system has helped to achieve in the supply chain.

Continued success

HAI ROBOTICS’ ACR system was first deployed in Anta’s warehouse in southwestern China’s Chengdu, Sichuan Province, in April 2021.

With 25 customised HAIPICK robots doing case picking and retrieving from shelves to continuously feed goods-to-person picking stations, storage density of the 5.7m-high warehouse increased significantly to offer up to 27,600 locations. It can handle up to 80,000 units in outbound orders per day.

The warehouse, which was previously stretched tight to handle its tens of thousands of SKUs at low picking accuracy, is now feeding the needs from 1,200 brick-and-mortal stores with a weekly outbound volume of 60,000 pieces.

The tremendous efficiency improvement prompted Anta into a second warehouse automation project with HAI ROBOTICS only three months later.

A larger robot fleet was stationed in its 3,500 sqm warehouse in Jinjiang. With the redesign of 11-layer shelves inside the 5.7m-high warehouse, the project provides around 20,000 storage locations. The warehouse reached a daily outbound capacity of 200,000 pieces with the use of HAIPORT-powered Workstation, an automatic loading and unloading machine.

 

Linde Motion Detection makes handling safer

Posted on by David Priestman

The Linde Motion Detection assistance system provides even better protection for pedestrians in warehouse environments as it is capable of detecting movement behind a stationary truck. In such cases, reversing is prevented and a warning signal sounded. Both employees and management benefit from this effective accident prevention system: The health of everyone present in the warehouse is better protected, the forklift driver’s job becomes easier, downtime or disruptions to operations are prevented to the greatest possible extent and, as a result, productivity is improved.

Linde MH is initially offering the sensor-based solution as an equipment option for the company’s new series of counterbalanced trucks. A retrofit solution, which will also be suitable for use on other makes of forklift, is to follow shortly.

Occupational safety and health protection are top priorities in many companies today. One of the most critical situations involving forklift trucks and pedestrians is the loading and unloading or picking up and putting down of loads. “If there are people behind the forklift when it starts reversing, an accident can quickly occur. Causes often lie in the behaviour of the people involved,” explains Fabian Zimmermann, Product Manager Safety.

“Pedestrians are inattentive and believe that the forklift driver can see them. Moreover, they do not expect that a forklift standing in front of a rack or in the block storage area could suddenly reverse. If, in addition, the driver is unwary for just a short moment and forgets to look over his shoulder, this can have serious consequences.

“In addition, the view to the area behind the vehicle can be obscured by blind spots, stored goods or racks. And the risk of accidents increases the more industrial trucks, pedestrians or even cyclists are present in logistics areas.”

Innovative technology

The Linde Motion Detection assistance system helps prevent such dangerous situations by warning both the forklift driver and any persons in the rear working area. A motion sensor reliably detects any movement behind the stationary vehicle, no matter the prevailing lighting conditions – regardless of whether the movement is triggered by people or other vehicles. In this case, the system automatically prevents or stops the approaching truck from reversing and the driver is alerted to the danger by a warning on the display.

In addition, the assistance system optionally sounds an acoustic signal to draw the attention of passers-by to the dangerous situation that has arisen and to trigger learning effects for everyone involved. To be able to continue driving after the warning has been issued, the driver has to actively put the accelerator pedal back in its starting position, which further increases safety.

Particularly in challenging working environments, such as poorly lit parts of the warehouse or areas where visibility is poor for structural reasons, the assistance system is an effective support and a relief for the driver. The detection area can be adapted to the respective operating and ambient conditions, which ensures a high degree of flexibility. In this way, critical situations are defused and unnecessary warnings prevented.

Linde Motion Detection is part of Linde MH’s comprehensive safety portfolio. With standard and optional assistance systems, such as the Linde Safety Guard or the Linde Safety Pilot, as well as consulting services, the company supports its customers in safe and efficient goods handling.

 

RightHand Robotics secures $66m funding

Posted on by David Priestman

RightHand Robotics, a leader in data-driven, autonomous robotic picking solutions for order fulfillment, has secured $66m in a Series C financing led by top growth investors: Safar Partners, a technology venture fund; Thomas H. Lee Partners L.P. (THL), a leading investor in automation and supply chain; and SoftBank Vision Fund 2, which is part of the SoftBank Group. Zebra Technologies, Epson and Global Brain also join this round, along with previous investors GV, F-Prime Capital, Menlo Ventures, Matrix Partners and Tony Fadell’s Future Shape. Previous rounds were led by Menlo Ventures and Playground Global.

RightHand Robotics intends to use the funds to accelerate product and business development, while scaling its global presence and partner network. The company will also expand its offices and invest in talent acquisition to support overall growth plans.

“The past few years have been an incredibly exciting time for us,” said Yaro Tenzer, CEO and co-founder of RightHand Robotics. “This Series C funding round attracted top-tier investors who know the space and share our vision that piece-picking automation enables predictable throughput with lights-out item handling, while meeting customer needs for scalable fulfilment services. We are eager to continue expanding our solution set and global presence to meet the needs of warehouse operators worldwide.”

“We have been believers in this company for a few years already,” said Arunas Chesonis, Managing Partner at Safar Partners. “The RightHand Robotics piece-picking solution has demonstrated year after year that autonomous robots are vital to solving the challenges of organisations from retail to pharmacy. The surge in e-commerce will continue even when the pandemic subsides, and we are eager to witness the continued maturation of the robotics industry in response to this global demand.”

“RightHand Robotics identified a challenge in the marketplace and responded with a solution that is intelligent, adaptable, and easy to integrate with adjacent software and automation solutions,” said Mike Kaczmarek, Managing Director at THL. “The company’s piece-picking solution enables customers from a diverse set of end markets such as e-commerce, grocery, and pharmaceuticals to streamline and scale their operations and supply chains.”

“Labor shortages are stretching global fulfilment to breaking point, prompting companies to invest more in automation to help improve efficiency and reliability,” said Ram Trichur, Partner at SoftBank Investment Advisers. “We believe that RightHand Robotics is a leader in supply chain logistics with a flexible, full-stack platform that can be integrated directly into customers’ existing systems to improve throughput while decreasing fulfilment costs. We are delighted to partner with Leif Jentoft and Yaro Tenzer and the team as they expand their international presence.”

“Zebra Technologies has been an active investor and solution provider to help businesses globally digitise and automate their supply chains and augment front-line workers,” said Tony Palcheck, Managing Director of Zebra Ventures, Zebra Technologies. “For customers across the consumer-packaged goods, retail, logistics and other industries, fulfilling orders with higher speed, accuracy, safety and cost savings is key, and RightHand Robotics helps achieve those efficiencies.”

RightHand Robotics delivers its innovative piece-picking solution, RightPick 3, with the aid of integration partners such as Element Logic, an AutoStore partner and one of Europe’s leading intralogistics companies; and Okamura, Japan’s leading provider of high-quality products and services for offices, education, commercial facilities and distribution centres. Through these collaborations, RightHand Robotics customers include PALTAC CORPORATION, Japan’s largest wholesaler of consumer packaged goods, and apo.com Group, Europe’s most advanced online pharmacy.

The RightHand Robotics RightPick platform streamlines the supply chain processes of warehouses with its innovative piece-picking robotic solution, which leverages AI software with intelligent grippers and machine vision. The result is an integrator-ready autonomous solution that empowers operating teams and meets the evolving needs of today’s fulfilment industry, as seen in this video.

 

The future of warehousing: automation, robotics and energy efficiency

Posted on by David Priestman

The rise of e-commerce is underway and impacting our high streets, even before the rise of Covid-19. Due to the pandemic, the shift from physical shops towards online spending has accelerated by an average of five years. In 2020, 87% of UK households made purchases online and recent statistics show that 70% now prefer it. Now, e-commerce is booming, and it is a trend that is here to stay, with online retail spending in the UK expected to reach £75bn by 2024.

So, what does this transition towards digital spending mean logistically for businesses? The race is now on for retailers and third-party logistics (3PL) providers to secure more warehouse space and capture a share in this growing market. As it stands, warehouse space has already increase by 73% since Covid-19 restrictions began in March 2019. In addition to this, Brexit also played a role in companies bringing their supply chains closer to home. It’s predicted that, by 2024, the impact of growing e-commerce sales in the UK could require an additional 92 million sq ft of warehouse space.

Businesses need also address speed and accuracy, with the average consumer expecting rapid deliveries of products that are both made to order and easily returned. Therefore, the pressure is on for businesses to operate as efficiently and effectively as possible to service a growing marketplace with increasingly high expectations – and all with fewer errors and at a lower cost to serve.

This is where technology is set to play a major supporting role, bringing fundamental changes to the ways in which warehouses operate. So, what exactly does the future hold for warehousing? Here, with some insights from the commercial LPG division at Flogas, we explore how technology and energy efficiency will be the driving force behind a successful, smarter, and more sustainable future.

The Internet of things (IoT)

The IoT broadly refers to the connection of devices and sharing data via the internet. In the world of warehousing, this has become an increasingly important driver in boosting automation. Thanks to the IoT, modern warehouses can be more connected, coordinated, and seamless in their operations, helping them manage escalating demand and run more efficiently.

IoT sensors give an object digital intelligence. This enables devices to communicate with other online systems in real-time and share vital data with warehouse workers. Businesses can use the IoT to connect their equipment, robots, drones, and pallets, while monitoring their inventory and even supervising employees remotely. The IoT is particularly useful for a real-time view of inventory and capacity. Businesses can spot gaps when they appear and make best use of available space. Meanwhile, customers can receive full transparency on package tracking.

Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)

A fully optimised WMS can enhance a business’s productivity, boost efficiency, and lower costs by digitising its processes. It also helps avoid common mistakes like slow shipments, poor inventory management, or incorrect product details – all of which can be costly and lead to unhappy customers.

This software assists with an extensive range of key day-to-day operations. These activities might include inventory management, stock replenishment, order picking, labour management, and shipping. Ultimately, it gives an insightful and holistic overview of operations. As a result, informed decisions can be made. For example, an accurate, real-time view of inventory means companies can effectively gauge stock needs and avoid back orders. A WMS can even be used to boost productivity amongst workers, matching them to specific jobs at the right time, and guiding them around the warehouse in the most efficient manner.

Automation

Automation has become a key part of boosting warehouse operations. This can enhance efficiency, speed, accuracy, and safety. Over the coming years, all warehouse operation is expected to have some level of automation. In fact, automation is already a significant market, representing over $10bn in annual global spending.

There are lots of exciting emerging technologies on the horizon, and it appears that the more established, proven technologies will have the biggest initial uptake. Recent industry research reveals that 65% of warehousing operations are expected to invest in conveyors and sortation systems over the next 3 years. 56% will adopt shuttle systems, which allow warehouses to increase throughput and storage density. Even well-established technology – such as stacker cranes and traditional automated guided vehicles (AGVs) – are expected to see relatively high levels of automation adoption.

A way to help transport bulk goods quickly and safely, forklift trucks (FLTs) are a popular form of automation in warehouses. Modern FLTs are fast to fuel, as they do run on liquid gas rather than batteries. Therefore, warehouses with their own centralised supply tank can benefit from automatic top-up technology. This means they always have the power they need, increasing productivity and reducing downtime.

Robots

As we look to the future, robots are expected to take centre stage. In warehouses, robots can help operations become more efficient and productive whilst reducing errors and improving safety. It’s estimated that there’ll be around 50,000 robotic warehouses by 2025 with over 4 million robot installations. Robots are already used for a whole host of warehouse functions, from picking and packing, to sorting, batching, transporting, inspection, and security. Many large corporations are investing in these emerging technologies. As of 2021, Amazon has around 350,000 mobile drive units.

Mobile robots have been trending over the past couple of years. Among their many talents, they are particularly helpful for moving goods from warehouse shelves to fulfilment zones. They can also be programmed to perform duties traditionally carried out by conveyors, manual forklifts, carts, and towing machines. Drones are also becoming increasingly important. They are affordable, easily able to reach any part of a warehouse, useful for inventory management (working in tandem with barcode technology), and able to support workers with shipping and delivery.

Energy efficiency

Warehouses often have high energy requirements, from heating to cooling and lighting. According to the Orlando Utilities Commission,  energy costs typically account for 15% of a warehouse’s operating budget. Therefore, businesses are keen for warehouses to become more energy efficient. As well as reducing costs, this will minimise their impact on the environment and reduce emissions.

Renewable energy is set to play a major role in helping warehouses become more sustainable. With large roof areas available, they are already perfectly set up to harness energy from the sun with solar panels.

Renewable green gas will also be a key part of the future sustainable energy mix. Warehouses will be able to use renewable energy for heating or even to power their forklift truck fleet. Once it’s widely available, warehouses already running on commercial LPG will be able to switch to renewable green gas and become carbon neutral without changing any of their equipment.

Lighting is another big energy consumer for warehouses. Significant savings can be made by upgrading to more efficient LEDs, bringing in more natural light with skylights, and controlling lighting more effectively. For example, a warehouse could have automatic lights-out areas where human workers are absent.

Greener, smarter warehouses

There’s no doubt that warehouses are getting greener, and there are a whole host of other efficiency measures available. Energy management systems; cool roof systems; radiant heaters; high-volume, low-speed (HVLS) fans; green building materials; and measures to reduce, reuse, and recycle materials can all have a major impact. These green initiatives, married with the introduction of digital intelligence, have increased automation. This emergence of new technology means that we can expect a truly smarter, more sustainable, and more productive warehouse in the future.

Overall, the future of warehousing is technological. Warehouses will be digitally intelligent and able to communicate efficiently. For example, warehouse management systems might organise the daily activities of shipments and so on. Modern forklift trucks have evolved to rely on liquid gas, improving productivity in the workplace. Robots operate alongside warehouse workers to optimise labour and companies are investing in renewable energy sources to lead the way in sustainable manufacturing. How will you modernise warehousing?

DF Capital earmarks £30m for start-ups

Posted on by Keith McKinley

DF Capital is designating £30m of inventory finance facilities for start-up and young businesses across its key industries in the UK this year.

The initiative will see credit made available for early-stage dealers and distributors in the agriculture, materials handling, industrial, lodges & holiday home, motorhome & caravan, motorcycle, marine, and transport sectors. It is designed to deliver extensive support for entrepreneurship across the UK and provide the assistance that businesses may have otherwise struggled to get through a traditional commercial loan.

Championing industry growth is DF Capital’s raison d’être. Since its inception in 2016 as a specialist bank, its goal has always been to help businesses across the UK achieve their ambitions. This is done by providing both SMEs and larger organisations with innovative and flexible finance solutions, allowing them to better manage their cashflow, inventory and achieve order book growth.

Furthermore, DF Capital says it ensures that it is easy to do business with by leveraging technology to deliver its services, resulting in nimble application, approval and onboarding processes and rapid access to capital.

Andy Stafferton, chief commercial officer at DF Capital, commented: “We want to make sure that these businesses, particularly the early stage ones, have the same access to the finance and support they need in order to grow and flourish. These businesses tend to face the biggest challenges – and more so during the last two years – because typically they do not fit into banks’ traditional credit models.

“We believe that earmarking such a significant amount of funding will enable the next generation of entrepreneurs to unlock their dreams and help their businesses survive at such a crucial juncture in their lifecycle.”

DF Capital is expecting high degrees of interest in the scheme and has set up a dedicated webpage for firms to find out more information. CLICK HERE to access it.

 

 

Subscribe

Get notified about New Episodes of our Podcast, New Magazine Issues and stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter.