Vargo Agrees to Distribute OPEX Warehouse Automation

Companies will offer integrated hardware and software to facilitate e-commerce order fulfillment.

OPEX Corp.


The Perfect Pick automated storage and retrieval system.
Material handling systems integrator VARGO is partnering with OPEX Corp., which provides automated storage and retrieval systems and other warehouse automation.

As warehouses and distribution centers adopt more automation, suppliers and integrators are partnering to improve access to the technology and ease adoption. VARGO, which provides material-handling systems integration, warehouse execution software, and equipment for fulfillment and distribution centers, said yesterday that it has signed a distribution agreement with OPEX Corp., a producer of warehouse automation systems.

For nearly five decades, VARGO's team of mechanical and software engineers have designed fulfillment solutions for manufacturers, distributors and leading retailers. The Hillard, Ohio-based company said it has worked with customers to improve their e-commerce operations and material handling systems, increase processing capacities, and reduce order cycle times.

VARGO claimed that its pull-based methodologies can create intelligent solutions for fulfillment centers and that it is an industry leader in integrating robotics and automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS). It added that it is the only company that offers COFE  (Continuous Order Fulfillment Engine), “the software that does for fulfillment what Lean did for manufacturing.” VARGO's customers include American Eagle, Gap Inc., Fashion Nova, Forever21, and numerous third-party logistics providers (3PLs).

VARGO to market OPEX technology

Under the new agreement, VARGO will represent OPEX warehouse products and may market them as part of the solutions that it proposes for its clients. Moorestown, N.J.-based OPEX has more than 1,200 employees and facilities in New Jersey, Texas, France, Germany, Switzerland, and the U.K. Its offerings include warehouse, document, and mail automation.

“Our partnership with OPEX furthers our ability to create highly effective and efficient e-commerce fulfillment systems for our clients,” stated Bart Cera, president and chief operating officer of VARGO. “We look forward to continuing to create next-generation integrated solutions with industry-leading automation products like the ones OPEX delivers.”

“The Vargo team has proven they are a company committed to doing what is best for the end-user,” said John Sauer, director of partner Development at OPEX. “Their customer-centric approach includes creative problem-solving and deep understanding of complex technologies. These qualities make them an ideal partner to integrate and represent OPEX’s robotic warehouse automation technologies in the marketplace.”

OPEX said its products can automate warehouse functions such as picking and sorting to save time, space and labor. They can be integrated with VARGO’s COFE warehouse execution system (WES) software, which drives numerous fulfillment centers for VARGO clients.

Automation is essential to modern-day e-commerce, but humans remain in the picture. Art Eldred, client executive, systems engineering with Vargo, discusses the challenges involved in striking the perfect balance between the two.

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OPEX Corp.

The Perfect Pick automated storage and retrieval system.


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