FHS-OCT23-PG28+29_Layout 1 13/10/2023 11:50 Page 28
warehousing, handling & storage
warehouse staff and robots work hand in hand to meet demand
Implementing automation in warehouse logistics always used to be about reducing costs and increasing throughput. However, labour shortages have meant many are adopting robots and computer vision systems to meet growing order volumes without putting extra pressure on staff. This change in warehouse infrastructure has shown that instead of automation taking jobs, the technology is crucial for improving working conditions and employee satisfaction, and in turn, overcoming staff shortages. Dirk van Lammeren, CCO of Prime Vision, explains why automation is becoming an established method for retaining existing staff and attracting new hires in the warehouse sector.
PrObLems fInDIng anD keePIng THe rIgHT PeOPLe staff shortages are nothing new in logistics. a survey of warehouse executives revealed that the number of applicants they received per job fell from between six to 10 in 2013 to two to five by 2018. these conditions were greatly exacerbated by the pandemic, with many workers retiring or otherwise leaving the sector. aging populations combined with a lack of enthusiasm for warehouse work amongst younger generations has compounded the issue.
in the us, a report by trade group mhi and
consultancy deloitte found that 57 per cent of participants said that: “hiring and retaining qualified workers was the biggest supply chain challenge.” across the atlantic, the Chartered institute of logistics and transport (Cilt) in the uk conducted a survey of its membership, discovering that 86 per cent of companies had faced staff shortages in the past two years. staff retention is another big issue.
traditionally, warehouse work has been strenuous and boring. manually moving heavy parcels for miles every day or engaging in mind-numbing repetitive processes are not conducive to job satisfaction. the result was high staff turnover. hiring and training new replacements is a massive investment for a warehouse operation, and doubly difficult during a labour shortage. all this is taking place in an era of continual e-
commerce growth and its associated high order volumes. attracting and retaining staff has become imperative for warehouse managers, as otherwise, they simply will not have enough workers to meet demand and secure profitability. however, investing in automation is proving to be a solution.
rObOTs jOIn THe Team autonomous mobile robots (amrs) are becoming a cornerstone of modern warehouse operations, moving parcels across facilities with the utmost efficiency. furthermore, they are scalable, allowing greater room for expansion than static conveyors. as well as smoothing operations, robots are also making a large contribution to improving warehouse working conditions. it used to be the case that Prime Vision would
need to demonstrate to customers’ employees, unions and stakeholders that robots could work with staff without taking their jobs. in the past five years, perceptions have completely changed. robots have officially become part of the team. robots can take on the strenuous work of
moving heavy 30 to 40 kg parcels to different areas, ensuring staff aren’t subject to undue strain. onboard light detection and ranging (lidar) systems allow robots to identify obstacles and personnel, safely avoiding any collisions. stop buttons situated on the robots themselves and small devices featuring a big red stop button on operator’s wristbands offer exceptional redundancy and the ability to halt the entire system when needed. whether segregated from staff or working in the same areas, robots actively improve safety levels and reduce the burden on staff. Collaboration between robots and humans
has been another key factor in improving the relationship with technology. there are multiple handovers in the warehouse sorting process, for example, unloading items from a delivery truck. these interactions are pivotal as they take time, incur cost and introduce risk. however, by creating an environment where humans and robots can seamlessly interface, these difficult tasks can be simplified and expedited, all while reducing risk. Prime Vision specialises in creating
environments where humans and robots can act together. these environments are invariably
28 oCtober 2023 | faCtorY&handlingsolutions
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
