How Automation Can Improve Warehouse Efficiency And Productivity

A well-thought-out automation solution can bring about operational efficiency and drive your business towards increased productivity and profitability. It is hard for business managers to justify the change in their existing manufacturing and material handling operations. No doubt, automating a warehouse or any other manufacturing facility demands investment and planning. However, it has become inevitable to invest in the innovative automation solutions in order to remain profitable and competitive.

Intelligent machines and software offer a futuristic approach to handle increased warehouse density, volume, and the demand for outsourced logistics providers. In Canada, according to Boston Consulting Group, robots will cut labor costs by 24% by 2025. The study further revealed that the cost of owning and operating a robotic spot welder, for instance, has dropped from $182,000 in 2005 to $133,000 last year, and will drop to $103,000 by 2025. Automation has already transformed the factory floors and warehouses, and the pace of change is expected to accelerate as automated material handling systems has become, affordable, easier and safer to use.

It is challenging to deal with the operational growth and increased labor costs. It is hard to keep costs down while improving operational efficiencies. Well-planned automation engineering solutions can have a big impact on your warehouse operations. Following are some of the benefits that automation technologies can bring to your warehouse operations:

Improved operational efficiency

Robotic automation not only helps manufacturers achieve greater warehouse productivity, but it can also drive significant cost savings as compared to employing workers. Warehouse management software, on the other hand, enables facility managers to find out inefficiencies and address them. It becomes easy to track down how much time an average warehouse operator takes to complete a task. Once you are aware of the inefficiencies in your warehouse operations, you can take steps to eliminate them by deploying automated material handling and management systems.

Efficient use of available space

It is critical to take advantage of every inch of available space on your production floor. Warehouse management software enables you to make the most of available space. It can help you assign lesser used inventory to higher shelves and keep frequently used items near the shipping area. This is how you can maximize the utility of your warehouse shelves.

Related: The principles of material handling

Lean manufacturing

Most of the modern facilities now strive to implement lean manufacturing as an effort to improve operational efficiencies and decrease production costs. Lean production and material handling techniques help manufacturers with waste minimization, continuous improvements, services, and delivery.

Advantages of automation

  • Increased throughput and the productivity of labor
  • Increased accuracy of orders
  • Elimination of latency and errors with manual data processing
  • Continuity in operations
  • Safe material handling processes
  • Reduced energy use
  • Reduced product damage

Keep looking for process improvements and how new technologies can benefit your production processes as an ideal approach to drive profit, productivity, and efficiency. Set long-term goals and implement automation to make them happen.

Being a rapidly growing automation engineering company in Canada, BP Automation strives to design and manufacture highly profitable material handling and facility management solutions for various industries. Consult our experts to help you evaluate and improve your existing manufacturing and warehouse operations.