Skokie, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/14/2011 -- Cliff Holste is Supply Chain Digest's Material Handling Editor. In the current issue Holste asks, “Are U.S. Distributors Falling Behind the Automation Technology Adoption Curve?” He suggest that, “Much of the order fulfillment material handling technology we report on in this space has to do with traditional mechanized receiving, storage, picking, sorting, and shipping systems. Logistics companies outside the U.S. have been deploying automation in their DCs since the early 90s. It’s not coincidental that (15) of the top (20) worldwide providers of automated material handling systems are headquartered outside the USA.”
Holste suggests that automation is rapidly becoming the common dominator - providing real solutions with real ROI for competing domestically and in the global marketplace. Grocery, beverage, and pharmaceutical distributors have long been early adopters of advanced material handling automation solutions for their high end DC operations. The challenge for general merchandise distributors, especially in the U.S. who hope to compete with foreign companies, is to step up their pace for adoption of more automated methods.
AGVs have been gaining traction in DCs primarily because of advanced guidance technology that allows the vehicles to move with much greater flexibility than ever before . This ability is key to their adoption in the DC because of the ever changing nature of product flow paths, which distinguishes distribution from manufacturing. Holste notes in the dynamic environment that characterizes the typical distribution operation, a flow path that was unobstructed and available yesterday may be unavailable today.
The most robust (minimum touch, lights-out) automated DCs the entire storage process has been automated by laser-guided vehicles; Holste cites Elettric 80. Elettric 80 is unique in the material handling industry because of this important investment in developing a “standard” product line. Although custom automatic guided vehicles AGVs usually contain one-of-a-kind features, Electtric 80 has the broadest offering of standard AGV types while minimizing delivery time and cost. Elettric 80’s experience provides the knowledge to apply modules and solutions to create automated warehouses for efficient productivity that has proven successful in the most demanding environments and limits the risk associated with the unique aspects of the project.
Elettric 80 is a global provider of end-of-line automation solutions designed to increase operational efficiency for high volume Consumer Products manufactures. These solutions called Freeway are a highly flexible material handling system. Elettric 80 is located at booth 2031 for ProMat 2011.
Elettric 80
http://us.elettric80.com
Katherine Roche
e80.usa@elettric80.it
1 847 329 7717