The Material Handling Blog

You’re walking into a bustling warehouse, where the air buzzes with the orchestrated hum of voices, footfalls and equipment. In one corner, various SKUs are received and swiftly stored, each item finding its place. Across the floor, synchronized activity surrounds order fulfillment: items are picked, packed and ready for their journey to customers or stores. This is material flow and it plays a vital role in distribution operations.

In the dynamic landscape of modern warehouses, the integration of automation has changed the way materials are handled by enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and productivity. However, the role of humans remains indispensable, bringing cognitive abilities and adaptability to the table. Striking the right balance between humans and automation in warehouse material handling is crucial for optimizing operations and maintaining a competitive edge.

Within the realm of industrial vehicle automation, the terms “dynamic path planning” and “obstacle avoidance” have recently generated buzz. On the surface, the idea of an AV (autonomous vehicle) having the capability to independently navigate around unforeseen obstacles appears to be a valuable feature. And, make no mistake, there are certainly specific applications where that feature can be beneficial. This blog post will expand on the other navigation methods and why AV OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) make the deliberate choice to use them.

The ongoing labor shortage crisis is being felt across various sectors, with warehousing being no exception, and its impact threatens efficiency and productivity. The question being asked today by most manufacturers and distributors is not “Should I automate?” but rather “When and how much should I automate?” To best answer those questions, it’s crucial to first understand common material handling and automation considerations.

In today's rapidly evolving global economy, industries are facing a unique challenge: labor shortages. The shortage of skilled and unskilled laborers is being felt across various sectors, with warehousing being no exception. Warehouses serve as the backbone of the supply chain, but the ongoing labor shortage crisis threatens their efficiency and productivity. Thankfully, technology has stepped in to address this challenge with the implementation of warehouse automation. In this blog post, we will explore the labor shortage issue, its causes, and how warehouse automation is revolutionizing the industry, ensuring smooth operations and boosting productivity.

In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, automation has become an integral part of various industries, ranging from manufacturing and logistics to healthcare and transportation. With warehouse and distribution center material handling automation's widespread adoption, ensuring the safety of workers, equipment and the public is of paramount importance. To achieve this, various safety devices are employed to minimize risks and prevent accidents.

Are you considering refining your warehouse operations and improving customer satisfaction? One of the transformative solutions that has gained significant traction in recent years is automating warehouses by integrating material and product processes through material handling equipment. By introducing and integrating robots, conveyor systems with intralogistics solutions, companies can revolutionize the way warehouses can run. However, the question remains – how do you know when warehouse automation is needed?