Warehousing is changing – welcome to the world of robotics!
Behind doors, many eCommerce retailers are embarking on projects to move from traditional high bay racking systems to fully automated warehouses using AMR (autonomous mobile robots), AGV (automated guided vehicles) and ASRS (automated storage and retrieval systems).
As our insatiable appetite for online retail continues to grow, so too are the companies supplying us. Warehouses are changing from conventional VNA (very narrow aisle) with super high racking from ground to ceiling, using forklift trucks to move goods around, to collapsing the warehouse on its side, literally.
Now, smaller multi-level mezzanines are being implemented with robots working 24/7 picking and packing.
New Opportunites
The whole business model is changing too, from reactive to proactive.
Robotics use AI (Artificial Intelligence) to automatically spot trends like an increase in sales of certain products, that then change the manufacturing and ordering process on the back end. It can spot an influx in demand.
The robots start to move the location and storage of items so they can be picked and packed quicker. It gives businesses an opportunity to be smarter and use AI to forecast and fill the warehouse, and ultimately sell more.
These are big projects and require companies to collaborate to ensure it works when it goes live.
eCommerce can not afford downtime. The move to robotics is a massive infrastructure change project and requires mezzanine systems, adequate power, fencing and protection systems, internet capabilities, sprinkler systems and of course flooring that can withstand constant AMR/AGV traffic.
But it is not just about floor levels and flatness. It’s about floor finishes, antistatic qualities, abrasion factors, and smoothness with zero joints. It is providing floors that are incredibly hard-wearing with no sudden imperfections that will last the test of time.
If your company is embarking on the move to robotics contact us today!
