DHL Supply Chain yesterday announced that it is expanding its partnership with Locus Robotics. The logistics provider said it will deploy 5,000 Locus Origin autonomous mobile robots, or AMRs, across its global network of warehouses and distribution centers. The companies claimed that this represents the industry's largest AMR deal to date.
“An idea is only a good idea if it can scale,” stated Oscar de Bok, CEO of DHL Supply Chain. “The flexibility and scalability of the Locus solution has been instrumental in helping us meet the evolving demands of the e-commerce landscape and leveraging cutting-edge technology to optimize our operations and deliver an even better experience for our customers.”
DHL Supply Chain claimed that it is “the world's leading logistics provider.” With a global network spanning more than 220 countries and territories, the Bonn, Germany-based unit of Deutsche Post DHL Group said it offers services across the supply chain, from warehousing and distribution to transportation and value-added services.
DHL Supply Chain surpasses 250M units picked with robots
Locus Robotics said the expanded fleet of AMRs will help DHL Supply Chain optimize its supply chain operations and improve worker productivity, order accuracy, speed, and efficiency. The robots will further enhance DHL's capabilities in e-commerce fulfillment, retail replenishment, and pharmaceutical and healthcare logistics.
“The addition of Locus Robotics AMRs to our network is a major milestone in our digitalization journey, and we are excited to partner with Locus Robotics to bring this technology to our operations,” said Markus Voss, global CIO and chief operating officer of DHL Supply Chain. “By using advanced robotics and data intelligence, we can further improve our operational efficiency, reduce processing time, and continue to improve our customer experience.”
DHL has now surpassed more than 250 million units picked using the LocusOne solution across its global sites, said Locus. The company said it expects the new LocusBots to be fully integrated into DHL Supply Chain's operations by the end of the year.
“Locus is helping DHL rapidly transform operations through a workforce empowered with the right technology at the right time, to deliver goods where they need to at the speed our modern markets demand,” said Sally Miller, global digital transformation officer at DHL Supply Chain. “Locus is a critical partner for us as we digitalize our warehouses, distribution, and fulfillment centers to efficiently meet increasing order volumes, labor shortages, and rising consumer expectations.”
About Locus Robotics
“We are thrilled to be working in an expanded capacity with DHL Supply Chain to bring our industry-leading robotics technology to their global network,” said Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus Robotics. “As the robotics industry continues to consolidate, Locus Robotics has emerged as the clear leader in the market, and we are poised for further significant growth.”
“Our innovative technology and commitment to customer success have set us apart,” he added. “With our expanding product offerings and growing customer base, Locus Robotics is well positioned to capitalize on the tremendous opportunities ahead.”
Locus said it is a leading provider of warehouse automation, with AMRs that can collaborate with humans to double or triple product movement and productivity. Named to the Inc. 500 two years in a row, and winning over 17 industry and technology awards, the company said it can increase order fulfillment; lower operational costs; and improve workplace quality, safety, and ergonomics for workers.
Supporting more than 100 of the world’s top brands and deployed at over 250 sites around the world, Locus Robotics said it enables retailers, third-party logistics providers (3PLs), and specialty warehouses to efficiently meet and exceed the increasingly complex and demanding requirements of today’s fulfillment environments.