If you’re relying on traditional, manual processes to manage your distribution centre, you’re probably feeling the strain of complex inventory, demanding turnaround times, and rising costs.
But what if there was a way to take the pressure off, speed things up, and stay ahead of the competition? Surprise! There is! Distribution centre automation.
Distribution centre automation isn’t just about fancy robots or futuristic tech, it’s about making your life easier and your business more efficient.
Whether you’re looking to cut down on errors, reduce costs, or keep up with growing demand, automation has the power to transform your operations.
Businesses of all sizes are turning to automated solutions to improve how they store, manage, and ship their products.
But if you’re still unsure, let us debunk the myths you may have heard about distribution centre automation.
Automation in distribution centres is often misunderstood, leading to several myths that can create unnecessary hesitation among businesses.
Many fear that automation will result in widespread job loss, while others believe it’s too costly, complex, or inflexible for their operations.
In reality, automation is not about replacing humans, but about streamlining processes and improving efficiency. With advancements in technology, automated systems can work alongside employees to enhance productivity, reduce errors, and even create new job opportunities in technical and operational roles.
Whilst the upfront investment may frighten people, by choosing distribution centre automation you are kicking off an impressive turnaround on your ROI.
The future of your warehouse with automation seeks cost-effective solutions such as:
Sustainability is a priority on the agenda for most businesses; retail and logistics are no exception. In fact, while the cost advantages are obvious, the long-term sustainability of warehouse automation is also a solution to many long-term problems, including efficiency, operating costs and improved service.
For example, advanced automation systems ensure reduced and efficient use of energy, resulting in lower energy consumption and a smaller carbon footprint, as well as reduced operating costs.
At the same time, by improving accuracy, the chance of damage is greatly reduced, which helps reduce the amount of waste each warehouse must manage.
By investing in warehouse automation, your business can hit its sustainability targets, whilst reaping the benefits of a streamlined, cost-effective warehouse.
It is a huge disaster when your customers receive the wrong order, resulting in their dwindling trust in your business.
Warehouse automation can actually avoid this problem by simplifying the jobs of warehouse employees and reducing the number of decisions they need to make.
This eliminates human pick and pack errors and improves order accuracy, leaving your customers thrilled with their order.
When errors do occur, automated systems can quickly identify and correct them with near-perfect precision and accuracy.
We in fact do not live in a cheesy ‘Westworld’ real-life simulation. Whilst many are concerned that the rise in automation will replace workers with robots, it’s place in the warehouse is actually to eliminate employees’ mundane and repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus directly on meaningful jobs.
Distribution centre automation systems can identify the location of all items in a particular order almost instantly and workers can spend less time moving goods and re-picking.
Even more, warehouse automation can also speed up order fulfilment when adopting automated warehouse robots and conveyor systems.
In turn, this can improve employee satisfaction, help employees complete their work faster and better and allow them to focus on value-added tasks.
In traditional warehouses, there are a variety of commodities stored, as well as various safety hazards, such as handling heavy pallets and high racks, operating in a high-traffic environment and sometimes involving toxic products such as chemicals.
Robotic picking systems avoid these problems, as many distribution centre automation systems bring products to workers instead of workers picking them up.
As a result, there is less traffic of people and equipment throughout the facility, which improves the overall safety of the warehouse.
One of the great benefits of warehouse automation solutions is that you can easily scale up and down and quickly respond to changes in consumer demand.
Users can re-use existing racks and totes if they fit handling specs. Automated systems can also be easily deployed in a small part of the warehouse and scaled up to a larger installation as your business grows.
Automation is also particularly helpful during busy periods, such as holidays. On the one hand, automation can reduce staff turnover and recruitment costs, avoiding the need for temporary workers who must be trained and are sometimes difficult to recruit. On the other hand, when business is down, automated systems can slow down making redundancies unnecessary.
By implementing and leveraging automation in your distribution centre, you can create a more efficient, agile and competitive business that meets the ever-changing demands of the market.
At Hills Electrical Group, our team of experts is dedicated to delivering top-tier manufacturing automation solutions tailored to your unique business needs.
With years of experience and a deep understanding of cutting-edge technologies, we specialise in crafting automation systems that not only enhance operational efficiency but also drive innovation and growth. Check out our case studies!
Our commitment to quality ensures that every solution we provide is reliable, scalable, and designed to elevate your production processes to new heights.
By leveraging manufacturing automation in your warehouse, you can create a more efficient and competitive business that meets the ever-changing demands of the market.
Contact Hills Electrical Group today and learn how to optimise your distribution centre with automation.
Call 01384 671660 or email info@hillsgroupuk.com
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