Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 5.46
In today's fast-paced market, businesses want to improve their warehouse operations to meet customer demands and remain competitive. A warehouse management system, or WMS, is just one of a number of ways to take on automation and optimization. The exponential advancement in robotics has revolutionized the way we store and transport goods, transforming the sprawling warehouses of today into hubs of high-tech innovation. In 2021, Amazon had around 350,000 automated mobile drive units in its warehouses. Over the coming years, most warehouses will have high levels of automation. It is already a significant market, representing over $10 billion in annual…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 5.45
Growth is good for businesses, though it can strain the limits of existing manual and automated processes in distribution centers. This was the case for Waytek, a distributor of automotive electrical components. The company faced fulfillment growing pains before it implemented a flexible system using autonomous mobile robots, or AMRs. Founded in 1970, Waytek is a family-owned distributor of electrical components to manufacturers and upfitters specializing in wire harnesses and mobile equipment. The Chanhassen, Minn.-based company said its mission is to make it easy for for its customers to source electrical parts. In 2007, Waytek had moved into its present…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 5.43
MHS combines access to best-of-breed robotic technologies with application design and integration expertise for maximum operational benefit. Michael Fleming, AMR product manager, MHS: “With mobile robots increasingly prevalent in distribution and fulfillment, parcel and other environments, the challenge is properly integrating them with complex automated systems. Our deep experience with these systems and emerging technologies uniquely positions us to bring the theoretical benefit of mobile robots to the daily reality of our customers.” MHS provides access to a full lineup of automated mobile transportation systems, including modifications for target applications like detachable carts, robotic arms, forklifts and conveyor supplements. Sourcing…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 5.41
AHS (Advanced Handling Systems), a full-service provider of integrated fulfillment, distribution, and robotic solutions, has formed a partnership with Mobile Industrial Robots – an autonomous industrial mobile robotic supplier based in Denmark as a Certified Systems Integrator. Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR) develops and markets the industry’s most advanced line of collaborative and safe autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) that quickly, easily, and cost-effectively manage internal logistics, freeing employees for higher-value activities. Hundreds of mid to large sized, multinational manufacturers and logistics centers, along with several hospitals around the world, have already installed MiR’s innovative robots. MiR has quickly established a global…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 5.40
Optoro Inc. and Locus Robotics Corp. last week announced a strategic partnership. They said they will provide a fully integrated, robust, and highly scalable software and robotics hardware system for high-volume returns processing in retail and e-commerce. “Partnering with Locus enables us to deliver a proven robotics automation solution that is well-positioned to meet the high throughput demands of today’s return centers,” stated Amena Ali, CEO of Optoro. “Together, we can help retailers move inventory faster and more efficiently through the supply chain, cut costs, minimize their environmental impact, and improve the customer experience.” Washington, D.C.-based Optoro said it offers…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 5.40
Inventory control at the warehouse level is simple, right? You just need to follow warehouse management system processes, set some minimum SKU levels, and be diligent about scan verifications to track consumption. While that worked 20 years ago, in today’s world, with automated systems to store inventory, you may need a warehouse execution system or WES. Forget global supply chain snarls for a moment, and consider another changing reality for inventory management—the increasingly complex flow of goods and transactions in fulfillment centers. While warehouse management systems (WMS) have long been responsible for inventory control in distribution centers (DCs), this complexity…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 5.40
Jim Tompkins, CEO of Tompkins International (Booth B727), said that in spite of his entrepreneurial ventures into distribution and technology businesses, his supply chain consulting, implementation and integration is still going strong—and is busier than ever. “Under Tompkins International, we’ve added three interconnected companies with different purposes,” Tompkins explained. The first, MonarchFx, is an alliance of Tompkins with 3PLs, transportation and technology providers. The group has created a distributed logistics network of fulfillment centers to support retailers and brands shipping direct-to-consumer. “It gives these operations a way to deliver as quickly and as inexpensively as the very large online retailers,”…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 5.39
Retailers and distributors around the world are increasingly looking to automation to help them meet pressing business needs. Dematic Corp. today announced that it has partnered with Dexterity Inc. to offer “full-task” robotics globally. It will also facilitate Dexterity's entry into the European market. “Our growing partnership with Dexterity is yet another example of Dematic taking the necessary steps to continue to be a software and technology leader,” stated Hasan Dandashly, president of Dematic and an executive board member at KION Group. “As a leader, we provide our customers with the intelligent solutions they require for success, and fully integrated…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 5.39
No matter the distance, hauling heavy loads of material through factories and warehouses—or from one to another—remains a highly repetitive and potentially dangerous task. Forklifts remain an ongoing contributor to workplace accidents, and skilled operators are difficult to find and retain. According to the Manufacturing Institute, U.S. manufacturers will face a labor shortage of 2.4 million by 2028. Automation can be a solution for both challenges. Over the past few years, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) have emerged as a safe and efficient alternative to traditional manual material movement. AMRs navigate independently along pre-determined paths, with most using built-in lidar sensors…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 5.38
The term “material handling” refers to the controlling, moving, and protecting of products and materials from production to distribution. In some cases, in-between processes such as transportation and storage are included as well. Material handling equipment includes a wide range of automation technologies, with conveyor systems and mobile robots being some of the most common ones. As materials handling involves packaging, storage, shipping, and delivery, it is closely tied to the manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, retail, and disposal industries. To be more precise, Meili Robots has identified four stages of material handling processes in the supply chain: Manufacturing: First, inbound shipments…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 5.34
Tompkins Solutions, a supply chain consulting and material handling integration firm, recently announced a strategic partnership with Softeon, a global provider of supply chain software. The companies said their collaboration will provide warehouse execution systems (WES), warehouse control systems (WCS), and warehouse management systems (WMS) to help organizations improve order fulfillment and overcome operational challenges. “We’re excited to join forces with Softeon to deliver customized, flexible solutions that enable our customers to drive value and future-proof their warehouse operations.” said David Latona, CEO of Tompkins Solutions. Tompkins Cornerstone WES paired with Softeon WMS Powered by Softeon, Tompkins Solutions’ Cornerstone WES…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 5.34
Intralogistics automation provider Cimcorp recently announced it will showcase its automated storage and order picking systems at MODEX 2024 in booth B6019. The company said MODEX attendees will have the opportunity to explore Cimcorp’s technology through interactive demonstrations and discuss operational challenges with its representatives. “Automation is the future of fresh food distribution, and our unique solutions makes it easier than ever to get started with automation in a way that is quick, cost-effective, scalable, and sustainable,” said Adam Gurga, national manager of grocery and retail partnerships for Cimcorp. The MODEX 2024 trade show will be held March 11-14 at…