Automation for everything, and everything in its place: the role of automation in a transitioning environment

Automation is taking the world by storm and impacting almost every industry that implements it. A disruptive force of change for the greater good, automation helps streamline repetitive, tedious, and sometimes even dangerous tasks to improve efficiencies and help companies gain competitive advantages over others in the market. Those who don't begin to implement such solutions are only likely to fall behind in an increasingly competitive market.

At Daifuku Intralogistics America, we're world leaders in automated solutions, from design and manufacturing all the way through post-installation maintenance and customer support. In this article, we'll help you understand the role of automation in a transitioning environment and explore some of the solutions that can help streamline productivity in your distribution center or warehouse.

Automated Solutions for Your Environment

Demand for industrial automation solutions is expected to grow at over a 9 percent clip per year through the year 2030, when the market is expected to climb north of $300 billion in value.

Furthermore, it's estimated that about 60 percent of all businesses can automate at least 30 percent of their tasks. Should this happen, the resulting productivity boost is likely to benefit not only your bottom line, but build customer trust as well as a result of faster order processing and fewer errors.

Here's a look at some of the automated solutions to consider for your organization:

Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems

As the name implies, Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems, or AS/RS, can help streamline productivity and reduce floor space.  Pallet handling cranes will eliminate the need for expensive fork lift equipment and labor for moving pallets of material.  Case shuttles can reduce the need for labor associated with manual order picking and equipment associated with case pick modules.  

At Daifuku, we offer several types of AS/RS solutions - including a variety of unit load options, case shuttles, and mini load systems - to suit multiple industries and a variety of material handling functions.

Vehicle Systems

Sorting Transfer Vehicles (STVs), Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGVs), and Sorting Transfer Robots represent a class of automation that supports the transport and sorting of loads. These various vehicle systems can help automate processes throughout distribution and manufacturing operations.  Such vehicle systems are highly scalable and can reduce operating costs and enhance productivity in your facility. A significant benefit to utilizing automated vehicle systems is that they integrate nicely with other Daifuku automation equipment like ASRS and conveyors.

Contact Daifuku to learn more about each of the vehicle systems we offer and the value they can bring to your industrial environment.

Conveyors and Sorting Equipment

Conveyors and sorters have been used in industrial environments for decades, but the big difference today is the various advancements that are available for further automating these equipment pieces and taking automation to new heights. We have recently launched a new shoe sorter to reach speeds up to 700 fpm.  Imagine 250-300 cases per minute being sorted to your outbound trucks. That’s fast.

Again, one of the benefits of conveyors and sorting equipment is that they can work together with the automated equipment in your facility to create a fully automated solution. Contact us today to learn more.

Other Automation Solutions

Robotics and Automation will continue to make advancements into everyone’s Supply Chains. Coupled with other technologies like Artificial Intelligence and internet of things, we will continue to significant advancements in material handling automation. Automated solutions will be incorporated into your intralogistics roadmap to help streamline productivity and enhance human performance.

Contact Daifuku Today

For more information on the other automated solutions that can help create a fully automated facility, contact Daifuku today.

As world leaders in automated solutions, we pride ourselves on providing our customers with the right solutions to optimize their operations, satisfy their customers and grow their profits.

Our company has experience in creating solutions for businesses across multiple industries such as retail, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, eCommerce, cold chain, agriculture and battery.

In addition to providing the solutions, we're also committed to ensuring they still operate effectively and efficiently over the long term. We offer preventative maintenance service and post-installation service and support, meaning you can rest assured that our customer commitment isn't over after the equipment is installed in your facility.

For more information on the Daifuku difference and to learn more about the various automated solutions that can help take your environment to new heights of productivity and efficiency, contact us today. We're standing by and ready to help you experience the wonder - and benefits - of an automated facility.

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