The Material Handling Blog

Automation is not all or nothing. Many businesses start small, expand over time, or implement larger systems when the volume and complexity of their operations require it. The key is to choose the level of automation that aligns with your goals, growth plans and available resources. Automation technologies are used to automate tasks such as inventory management, order fulfillment and material handling, reducing manual intervention and errors.

Imagine a relay race in which your team has executed every handoff perfectly, but the final runner stumbles just before the finish line. All that effort and strategy are lost in the last few seconds. Many warehouses invest in picking, sorting, and storage automation yet leave palletizing as a manual process. However, inefficient palletizing creates bottlenecks, increases labor costs, and limits throughput, ultimately holding back the full potential of your operation.

Leaders in food production, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and other temperature-sensitive industries don’t need to be convinced of the complexity inside cold and temperature-controlled storage facilities. The constraints are familiar - freezing or chilled environments, limited time workers can safely spend in cold zones, high energy costs, and strict standards for product handling. What’s less obvious is how many of these challenges are tied directly to palletizing. Whether you’re moving finished goods into storage or staging for outbound shipping, the way pallets are handled in cold environments has a direct impact on throughput, workforce safety, and product quality. That’s why cold storage requires a different approach to palletizing. One that reduces exposure, automates movement, and keeps your operation running smoothly.

Americold is a global leader in temperature-controlled warehousing and logistics. With more than 175 facilities worldwide, the company is known for its ability to adapt to the evolving demands of food logistics. At its Indianapolis, Indiana site, Americold had already taken a major step toward automation in 2011 by working with viastore—now part of Bastian Solutions—to install a high-density automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS).

Building, storing and moving pallets is often what most people think of when they hear the word “warehouse.” And they’re not entirely wrong, pallet handling operations are critical to the effective flow and performance of many manufacturing and distribution facilities. Outbound pallet handling is often the focus of most companies in this space, as these processes appear to be most impactful to the end-customer. However, inbound pallet handling operations can be equally important to the overall production and fulfillment process. Manual palletizing and movement of inbound product in distribution and manufacturing centers often presents challenges due to labor-intensive processes, ergonomic concerns and safety risks. To address these issues, automation can be implemented to streamline operations and improve efficiency.

Ecommerce warehousing involves storing, organizing, and managing goods in the supply chain for online retail. India is becoming one of the fastest-growing ecommerce markets in the world, so efficient warehousing solutions are essential. The Indian ecommerce warehousing market is growing rapidly now with no sign of slowing down. If you are an online retailer looking to gain a competitive edge in your market, read more to find out which technologies will benefit you as you start to plan your next warehouse operation upgrade.

Automation is not merely a buzzword; it's a transformative force reshaping the landscape of warehouse operations and logistics management. By harnessing the power of advanced automation technologies such as AS/RS systems, conveyor and sortation systems, robotics, GTP (goods to person), artificial intelligence, and data analytics, are streamlining their logistics processes like never before. From inventory management to order fulfilment, automation is revolutionizing every aspect of warehouse operations, driving efficiency, accuracy and agility.

As a leading systems integrator, Bastian Solutions understands material handling solutions do not come in a one-size-fits-all package. The company holds decades of experience across a broad spectrum of industry verticals and our experts partner with customers to engineer warehouse automation and material handling systems designed to achieve business objectives. Bastian is eager to exhibit at MHI’s MODEX 2024 trade show March 11-14 in Atlanta, Georgia. Booth B5619 will feature various automation and technology, along with opportunities to learn more about how Bastian can help select, implement and optimize the right material handling equipment and processes to Engineer Your Competitive Edge!

In warehouse automation and material handling systems, companies typically fall into two categories: manufacturers (OEMs) or integrators. Manufacturers are known for creating the hardware and technologies that power warehouse automation, while integrators specialize in bringing these diverse components together into a cohesive, functioning material handling system. At Bastian Solutions, we often encounter the question, 'Are you an integrator or a manufacturer?'

Order fulfillment operations play a crucial role in today's fast-paced world, where customers expect their orders to be processed and delivered quickly and accurately. With the increasing demand for seamless and efficient order fulfillment services, businesses are turning to innovative solutions to meet the needs of their customers. One such solution is the use of robotic buffer systems.

Managing a warehouse operation is not an easy job. Land costs and warehouse leasing charges are increasing exponentially. At the same time, there is also limited availability of trained operators which adds to expenditures, either in training cost, recruitment or addition of new technology that fulfils the task. However, for a business to successfully meet consumer needs, it is essential to optimize the centre for picking, storing and shipping. These opportunities for efficiency cannot be overlooked.

The question for today’s modern warehouses is no longer when should we automate, but how and where do we automate for the best impact? To help sort through these cutting-edge offerings, we’ve created a quick visual guide to understanding the basics of goods to person systems, including the different types, their benefits and important factors to consider. View the full-size infographic.