Latest News

  • U.S. Chamber of Commerce Statement on Supply Chain Executive Order
  • Narrow Aisle announce significant US investment
  • AIPUT breaks ground on second state-of-the-art air cargo warehouse at dnata City East
  • Rack protection enhanced & mast control revisited; Innovative options for Linde reach trucks 
  • Cardboard Shortage? Make the switch to alternative sustainable & recyclable plastic containers
  • Home
  • News
  • Materials Handling
  • Health & Safety
  • Notice Board
  • Multimedia
    • Audio
    • Book Review
    • T.V.
    • Video
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Google+
    • Pinterest
    • RSS Feed
    • Linked
    • Youtube

Warehouse Optimisation – A Timely Approach to Automation

Jul 12, 2020 Warehousing Ireland News, Warehousing Comments Off on Warehouse Optimisation – A Timely Approach to Automation


Steve Richmond, Director Logistics Systems at Jungheinrich explains that the key to successful automation is typically a staggered approach, instead of completely overhauling your current setup. In order to embrace the connected warehouse to its full potential, businesses need to understand that technology is just one part of the overall answer. It should be about deploying the right technology and processes in collaboration with the right people, at the right time.

As consumer demands and expectations increase and supply chains become more complex, businesses are increasingly turning to automation in order to generate more efficiencies and value from their warehouses and processes. Recent research has found that almost two thirds (64%) of participants believe that warehouses will be ‘smart connected’ within five years, with humans still playing some part in processes. This is especially important during times of economic instability, as automation can provide a solid foundation to support business strategy during times of uncertainty.

However, in order to embrace the connected warehouse to its full potential, businesses need to understand that technology is just one part of the overall answer.

Steve Richmond, Director Logistics Systems at Jungheinrich explains that the key to successful automation is typically a staggered approach, instead of completely overhauling your current setup, it should be about deploying the right technology and processes in collaboration with the right people, at the right time.

A Collaborative Approach

For many companies, collaboration is a key component of their automation projects. However, this collaborative approach is more than plugging different systems together, it is about combining people, process and technology together to achieve common goals. To enable a truly seamless and effective collaborative intralogistics model, companies must create a highly motivated and skilled workforce who are willing to embrace these new opportunities.

To achieve the best results and value from automation, companies need to be clear and concise about the specific business objectives they aim to meet, as well as having their customer expectations and emerging technology solutions in mind. Moreover, automation can not only support businesses in unlocking value from the supply chain, but in turbulent economic times, such as Brexit or the current Coronavirus crisis, can also enable a safety net strategy, supporting organisations with overall business aims, despite experiencing challenges such as staff shortages.

Gradual Implementation of Automation

Too often businesses think they need to jump in at the deep end and deploy full automation technology straight away. But full automation isn’t necessarily an appropriate strategy; there is no need to revolutionise the entire facility to achieve significant efficiency and productivity improvements.

The right advice is key – jumping in too deep, too soon could mean that stakeholders are not fully bought into the solution from the start. Instead, working in tandem with a consultant that can inspire collaborative working with the workforce and key stakeholders – deploying the right technology and processes, for the right departments, at the right time – can integrate automation seamlessly into the business and allow for the rewards to be rapidly realised.

By taking a hybrid approach to implementing automation, transitioning in stages will allow the workforce to gradually understand and become familiar with each stage of the automated process and enjoy the benefits. Whether it is a manual, semi-automated or full automated approach, it’s crucial for businesses to truly understand their end objective of automation in order to better determine the best approach to realising that goal.

Future-Proofing your Supply Chain

In a rapidly evolving political and economic environment, unexpected business hurdles seem to crop up more regularly than ever before. From Brexit to the current Coronavirus pandemic, in times of unprecedented events which lead to much uncertainty for businesses, there is no better time for organisations to prepare by future-proofing their supply chains. To be successful in these rapidly changing environments, automation will play a key part in this transition.

Supply chains which are already under immense pressure caused by an incredibly turbulent environment will begin to show increased strain unless they rely on innovative technologies. Businesses should, therefore, ensure they have the processes and procedures in place to spot early signs of disruption and act upon these. We are already noticing an uptake in the use of innovative technology in the warehouse such as Automated Guided Vehicles. This type of automation plays a central role in how the industry faces future and current challenges, such as Brexit and Covid-19 which may lead to skill-shortages or restrictions in human touch, for example.

With potentially less staff available, organisations will need to have the flexibility in place to adapt to unprecedented events to keep their businesses stable. Even for smaller businesses, not only can part-automation unlock valuable efficiencies, but can also act as a safety net for an organisation to help see the company through turbulent economic times where a lack of staff could have significant knock-on effects. For example, if the government’s planned legislation to limit visas for ‘low skilled’ workers goes through, the consequences for many businesses could be severe. Deploying a level of automation now could go a long way to alleviating the concerns of the future.

Embracing Industry 4.0

Industry 4.0 is compelling for many reasons. Businesses in all sectors are finding new, innovative and cost-effective ways to better their processes. We’ve seen an increase in technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) where companies are beginning to embrace automation. The idea of creating a smart and connected warehouse is a transformation many are eager to undergo, however, it is important to remember that you cannot achieve these results with technology by itself.

By considering both the processes and the people who operate the processes, organisations can take a far more intelligent approach to automation. Problems will arise when implementing Industry 4.0 unless businesses get their processes aligned and truly understand the goal of their automation investment. If managed properly, the true value and potential of automation can be unlocked rapidly, helping take businesses to the next level.

Tweet

  • tweet
Over 100 exhibitors signed up as the countdown to IMHX 2021 begins Streamlining efficiency with paperless warehouse processes

Warehousing Ireland

Related articles
  • U.S. Chamber of Commerce Statement on Supply Chain Executive Order
    U.S. Chamber of Commerce Statement on...

    Feb 28, 2021 Comments Off on U.S. Chamber of Commerce Statement on Supply Chain Executive Order

  • Narrow Aisle announce significant US investment
    Narrow Aisle announce significant US...

    Feb 28, 2021 Comments Off on Narrow Aisle announce significant US investment

  • AIPUT breaks ground on second state-of-the-art air cargo warehouse at dnata City East
    AIPUT breaks ground on second...

    Feb 28, 2021 Comments Off on AIPUT breaks ground on second state-of-the-art air cargo warehouse at dnata City East

More in this category
  • U.S. Chamber of Commerce Statement on Supply Chain Executive Order
    U.S. Chamber of Commerce Statement on...

    Feb 28, 2021 Comments Off on U.S. Chamber of Commerce Statement on Supply Chain Executive Order

  • Narrow Aisle announce significant US investment
    Narrow Aisle announce significant US...

    Feb 28, 2021 Comments Off on Narrow Aisle announce significant US investment

  • AIPUT breaks ground on second state-of-the-art air cargo warehouse at dnata City East
    AIPUT breaks ground on second...

    Feb 28, 2021 Comments Off on AIPUT breaks ground on second state-of-the-art air cargo warehouse at dnata City East


Tweets by @warehousingIrl

Recent Posts

New Modulean Lite shadow boards from Beaverswood

New Modulean Lite shadow boards from Beaverswood

Nov 14, 2020 Comments Off on New Modulean Lite shadow boards from Beaverswood

Improved organisation of workplace tools is in warehouse and logistics centres is provided with new Modulean Lite shadow boards from workplace visual communication solutions specialist,...
Hyster Europe expands its range of electric counterbalance lift trucks

Hyster Europe expands its range of electric...

Sep 13, 2020 Comments Off on Hyster Europe expands its range of electric counterbalance lift trucks

Linde Training Solutions – Well Trained Without Fail

Linde Training Solutions – Well Trained...

Aug 09, 2020 Comments Off on Linde Training Solutions – Well Trained Without Fail

Warehouse Strategy, Design & Operation for a Post-Covid-19 World

Warehouse Strategy, Design & Operation for a...

Aug 03, 2020 Comments Off on Warehouse Strategy, Design & Operation for a Post-Covid-19 World

How to safely buy a used ATEX forklift

How to safely buy a used ATEX forklift

Jul 12, 2020 Comments Off on How to safely buy a used ATEX forklift

Recent Posts

Axial Properties Ltd fined €80,000 following serious incident in Clonee warehouse

Axial Properties Ltd fined €80,000 following serious incident in Clonee...

Nov 22, 2020 Comments Off on Axial Properties Ltd fined €80,000 following serious incident in Clonee warehouse

On Friday 20th November, at Trim Circuit Court, Judge Martina Baxter imposed a fine of €80,000 on Axial Properties Ltd following a serious incident at one of their warehouses in Bracetown...
New Modulean Lite shadow boards from Beaverswood

New Modulean Lite shadow boards from Beaverswood

Nov 14, 2020 Comments Off on New Modulean Lite shadow boards from Beaverswood

How to safely buy a used ATEX forklift

How to safely buy a used ATEX forklift

Jul 12, 2020 Comments Off on How to safely buy a used ATEX forklift

A-SAFE launches new hygiene partition for industrial facilities

A-SAFE launches new hygiene partition for...

May 31, 2020 Comments Off on A-SAFE launches new hygiene partition for industrial facilities

Hospitality casualties could join warehousing workforce says UKWA

Hospitality casualties could join warehousing...

Mar 25, 2020 Comments Off on Hospitality casualties could join warehousing workforce says UKWA

Newsletter

Recent Posts

  • U.S. Chamber of Commerce Statement on Supply Chain Executive Order
  • Narrow Aisle announce significant US investment
  • AIPUT breaks ground on second state-of-the-art air cargo warehouse at dnata City East
  • Rack protection enhanced & mast control revisited; Innovative options for Linde reach trucks 
  • Cardboard Shortage? Make the switch to alternative sustainable & recyclable plastic containers
  • Always totally individual: the customer-specific PhoeniX AGV from Hubtex
  • Optimised Material Flow from Linde Storage Solutions
  • Clark France moves into new HQ in Saint-Quentin-Fallavier
  • Schoeller Allibert plays role in returnable packaging sector
  • Combilift launches new Order Picker: The Aisle Master-OP
  • Irish supply chain company TBM Solution sets up GB base
  • Coca-Cola signs 5-year contract renewal with CHEP 
  • DHL Express is a Global Top Employer 2021
  • Micro-fulfilment – a game changer for online grocery?
  • AGV Mesh-Up celebrates premiere at IFOY TEST CAMP 2021
Copyright 2020 Warehousing Ireland / All rights reserved