WAREHOUSING, HANDLING & STORAGE
T
he warehouse is no longer just a storage facility. It’s a strategic asset that is central to meeting changing demands. As the intralogistics sector shapeshifts, driven by e-commerce growth, sustainability objectives and
technological innovations, businesses are reimagining their warehouses and reevaluating what their operations need to stay competitive in the future. The right materials handling fleet can be a critical success factor.
FUTURE FOCUSED WAREHOUSING Europe, the Middle East and Africa is a region experiencing a logistics transformation. Reports suggest that online retail sales in Western Europe alone may exceed 700 billion by 2026 as e-commerce continues to surge. This growth is driving demand for faster, more flexible fulfilment solutions.
The rise of omnichannel retailing is also placing pressure on warehouses to become more agile, responsive and technologically integrated. Warehouses that fail to adapt may struggle with outdated layouts, limited scalability and inefficient materials handling equipment that cannot keep pace with fluctuating demand or diverse product types. Meanwhile, going green is becoming an essential, not an option. The European Logistics & Supply Chain sustainability report 2024 found that 92 per cent of logistics operators and 79 per cent of manufacturers and retailers have corporate sustainability policies.
Moreover, one-third of companies require supply chain partners to make sustainability targets a contractual obligation. While this environmental shift may require change, it also generates opportunities. More than 40 per cent
BUILDING FLEXIBILITY FOR THE ‘FUTURE-PROOF’ WAREHOUSE
By Ron Farr, Head of Dealer Warehouse Sales & VNA EMEA, Yale Lift Truck Technologies
of those surveyed by the report stated they had won customers due to their sustainability practices.
However, sustainability may come at a cost. Warehouses, with high sustainability credentials, can command a 19 per cent price premium and recouping this added investment could take several years.
Automation and robotics are also redefining warehousing. From autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) to AI-driven inventory systems, warehouses are becoming smarter and more efficient. Collaborative robots, or ‘cobots’, are increasingly common, with the mobile cobot market projected to grow to $8.79 billion by 2033. However, helping human operators to optimise productivity and accuracy may require smart equipment investments in other non- automated equipment.
Micro-fulfilment centres (MFCs) and shared logistics hubs are another area gaining
18 OCTOBER 2025 | FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS
traction, which is changing the face of some warehouses and could impact the solutions to keep it moving.
MFCs are found particularly in urban areas where space is limited and fast delivery expectations are high. These decentralised sites enable faster last-mile delivery and can reduce some operating expenses. However, the initial investment in technology, infrastructure, materials handling equipment and labour may be significant. Having the right strategy in place will be the foundation for efficiency and success.
THE COST OF INFLEXIBILITY When warehouses remain constrained by outdated infrastructure, rigid processes and materials handling equipment that isn’t ready to grow with the business, this can lead to inefficiencies, higher operational costs and missed opportunities. For example, single-
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