Can robots improve warehouse efficiency?

Ensuring maximum operational efficiency within the warehouse has become increasingly pertinent and challenging for businesses in recent years.

Undoubtedly, the COVID pandemic and Brexit have caused numerous disruptions and shortages. In addition, with the rapid surge in online retail, ecommerce and growing consumer demands, warehouses have been under immense pressure to maintain resiliency.

These factors have been the catalyst for UK companies to assess or invest in warehouse automation technology to streamline their processes. But despite the proven benefits, many are still resisting automation evolution due to uncertainties over expense, accessibility and where it leaves the existing workforce.

These factors have served as a catalyst for an increasing number of UK companies assessing and investing in warehouse automation technology to streamline their processes. But despite the proven benefits, many are still resisting automation evolution due to uncertainties over expense, accessibility and where it leaves the existing workforce.

Due to this, an increasing number of UK companies have been investing in warehouse automation technology to streamline their processes. Although, there are still a number of companies that have resisted this warehousing automation evolution due to concerns over expense, accessibility and where it leaves the existing workforce.

Robotics’ role in warehouse automation

Automated warehouse solutions, such as autonomous mobile robots, can transform processes around goods-to-person, materials handling and production line, and they remove needlessly labour-intensive processes within the warehouse. By automating the movements of goods and production lines between locations, warehouses are able to increase accuracy, throughput and order fulfilment.

How do robots improve warehouse efficiency?

Upskilling and repurposing staff.

Warehouse automation is not about eradicating the human workforce. It is about repurposing them to reduce unnecessarily physical processes that slow production while increasing the risk of error in the warehouse.

With the automation of stock movements in the warehouse, workers are saving up to 50-70% of their time on travelling between bin locations. In addition, they can focus more on increasing throughput, but they are exposed to a better work environment.

Innovative technology like robotic automation enables staff to upskill in a smoother environment reducing unwanted staff turnover. In addition, achieving more with your existing workforce reduces the time and financial expense of temporary labour.

Increasing the speed of operations and order fulfillment.

With modern expectations around same-day despatches, next-day deliveries, and rapid returns, it is vital for warehouses to fulfil orders as quickly and accurately as possible.

With the removal of unnecessary manual labour with automated goods movement, production lines and picking routes, warehouses are able to speed up their operations. From goods in to picking and packing to despatch and returns, all these processes can be streamlined and completed with optimal speed and precision.

Utilising space more efficiently and increasing storage capacity.

As a result of the faster movement of goods in the warehouses, with an automated storage and retrieval system, businesses can maximise the full potential of their warehousing space.

A strategic robotic infrastructure within the grid will ensure faster despatches and the more efficient physical allocation of staff. With the risk of overstocking minimised and greater capacity within the warehouse, businesses can grow at their own pace. Not because they’re running out of space.

Managing stock more accurately and lowering costs.

With more efficient and focused staff, faster stock movements and more warehousing space, you can ensure seamlessly controlled stock management and storage.

Over 2021 and 2022, there has been a vast shortage in shipping container storage and a significant increase in cost for what is available. The shortages and inevitable surge in demand have seen an astonishing 800% increase in the cost of shipping containers from China to the UK in the last year.

It has never been so critical to find the best possible way of maximising your existing stock storage potential.

How do I know if robots will suit my warehouse?

Implementing robot-powered automation is a significant investment for any business. It has long been perceived as a smart and necessary investment for the warehousing giants of the world.

Now, an increasing number of SME warehouse-utilising businesses in the UK are discovering how accessible these solutions really are.

Whatever the size of your warehouse operation, start your automation journey today, right here.