FHS-NOV23-PG10+11_Layout 1 17/11/2023 13:20 Page 10
AUTOMATION & ROBOTICS
THE ROLE OF ROBOTICS IN ATTRACTING TALENT BACK TO THE WAREHOUSE
A persistent shortage of labour remains a major issue for the UK warehousing and logistics sector. Automation and robotics are proven to help businesses significantly improve productivity and increase efficiency. But automating manual tasks is only half of the story. As fulfilment demand continues to increase, the way warehouses operate is changing. Still, a lights-out, or fully automated, warehouse operation is a long way off for many companies and SMEs. In most cases, robotics and automation will remain complementary to the work of human employees. Yet, not enough is being done to help companies in the industry secure the talent they need. This is where robotics and automation can have a dual role to play in helping to address the labour shortage, says Dr Paul Rivers, managing director, Guidance Automation. Far from the industry deterrent that some might think, automated technologies can help change the image of warehouse work, while creating the environment to attract and nurture new talent.
storage sector, adding to pressure on an already strained supply chain and its remaining workforce. Without change, these challenges will only intensify. When asked why they were unable to fill vacancies, almost half of businesses in the sector cited a lack of EU applicants. By 2030, economic inactivity related to population ageing is expected to rise by 2.4m, adding to higher turnover and fewer young people entering the workforce. The UK government is coming under
U
increasing pressure to provide more support; UKWA, for example, is lobbying to include sector roles on The Shortage Occupation List
K businesses have reported a shortage of workers for almost two years now. Between September and November 2022, there were 50,000 vacancies in the transport and
of the UK Immigration Rules. Automated technologies, especially autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), are also helping to provide quick relief from the pressures of persistent labour and skills shortages. Integrating just one or two AMRs can make a significant difference to operational efficiency, enabling companies to sustain productivity levels with fewer people. Designed to take on more onerous or simple jobs, such as transporting goods around the warehouse, AMRs can help free up existing staff to take on other roles. They can also pick up the slack during periods of peak demand when temporary workers are scarce. But automated technologies are not a silver
bullet. Contrary to popular belief, it is not often that companies introduce automation with the aim of replacing people entirely. Fully lights- out operations are still a way off, and won’t be
10 NOVEMBER 2023 | FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS
the goal of every company, especially when considering 99.9 per cent of the UK’s business population are SMEs. Within many warehouse operations, introducing automated technologies will always be about complementing and collaborating with existing staff. To overcome labour shortages, companies must therefore also consider why interest in warehousing and logistics as a viable and interesting career path is waning, and how they can leverage automated technologies to change this.
EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE Nearly every UK business has struggled to fill roles in the past year, with SMEs most affected. The Federation of Small Businesses recently found that 80 per cent of small firms faced difficulties recruiting applicants with suitable skills. As warehouse operations evolve
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50
