Behind doors, many eCommerce retailers are embarking on projects to move from traditional high bay racking systems to fully automated warehouses using AGVs (automated guided vehicles) and AMRs (autonomous mobile robots).
As our appetite for online retail continues to grow, so are the companies supplying us.
Warehouses are changing from conventional VNA with high racking from ground to ceiling, using forklift trucks to move goods around, and collapsing the warehouse on its side.
Now, smaller multi-level mezzanines are being put in place with robots working 24/7 picking and packing.
The business model is changing, too, from reactive to proactive. Robotics use AI to automatically spot trends like increased sales of certain products and changing 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 allows businesses to be smarter and use AI to forecast, 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.
It requires mezzanine systems, adequate power, fencing and protection systems, internet capabilities, sprinkler systems and, of course, flooring that can withstand constant AGV / AMR 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 provides incredibly hard-wearing floors with no sudden imperfections that will last the test of time.
In collaboration with other partners, we can offer a complete solution. It’s why we have been trusted by some of the world’s largest retail and blue-chip companies.
If your company is embarking on the move to robotics, contact us today.