w COVER STORY
How labour shortages are aff ecting the logistics sector and why automation is the solution
By Stuart Coulton, Marketing Manager, OMRON UK T
his is an unprecedented time for the UK logistics sector. A once-in-a-century pandemic, combined with the end to a half-century in the European Union, has led to considerable labour shortages. To complicate the situation even further, all this is happening at a time of unprecedented growth as more consumers turn to online shopping with the expectation of a speedy delivery right to their door. With fewer workers now available, considerable challenges are facing the sector. So, how can warehouses overcome labour shortages and still meet their deadlines? Thankfully, technology is ready to step up and revolutionise how the sector operates. Through the digitalisation and automation of practices, warehouses can meet the demands of the modern world by improving employee productivity
10 March 2022 | Automation
and reducing waste. Let technology help us get more done with less.
The causes of reduced warehouse worker availability
Although logistics is one of the hardest- hit sectors, labour shortages are affecting a broad range of industries. Research shows the summer of 2021 has the highest vacancy growth in the UK since 1998, with the supply of workers dropping at its fastest rate in four years. The reopening of sectors post- lockdown has caused a spike in labour requirements; compounding this is the lack of overseas workers coming to the UK due to Covid travel restrictions and Brexit.
Three major consequences of reduced warehouse worker availability 1. A shortage in workers means
warehouses have to offer increased wages to entice more people to apply. This is not an isolated increase in cost for logistics employers – it also spreads to consumers and manufacturers/ suppliers.
2. Fewer staff at a warehouse puts significant strain on the existing employees. Being asked to work longer hours in an already taxing job often leads to reduced accuracy in tasks or
automationmagazine.co.uk
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