Page 50 - FoodFocusThailand No.166 January 2020

STORAGE, HANDLING & LOGISTICSANDLING & LOGISTICS
STORAGE, H

10 Warehousing Technology

Innovations from Around the World

It is predicted that over 85% of all businesses will be digital within the next few years. As such,
warehouse operators and logistics firms need to react quickly by implementing the latest technical
innovations. Not only will this ensure that these companies will be thoroughly futureproofed, but
supply chains will be operating at peak efficiency – great for customers and businesses alike.
Here are another 5 trends of the most exciting technological innovations in the warehousing
sector that should keep an eye on.

Omnichannel Operations E-commerce and omnichannel facilities could be seen in the future.
6solutions go hand in hand. As the future is most definitely digital,
warehousing will have to adapt to meet the needs of this globally Keeping an Eye on Lithium-ion Batteries The
redefining commerce sector. A Russia based warehousing and 9other intriguing development in batteries, for warehousing,
manufacturing real estate company , has implemented an omnichannel can be found in the form of advances in lithium-ion (Li-ion) power
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solution in their latest project. cells. European company recently updated many of their truck
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The rise of omnichannel distribution goes hand in hand with the models, including pallet trucks, low-level order pickers and tow
advances in RFID and EDI tech, whereas drones could also be tractors, with Li-ion power units.
hovering on the horizon too for greater efficiency and cost effectiveness. The results have shown longer-lasting battery life when
compared with traditional lead acid units. More than 90% of the
Rise of the Robots Robots are playing a big part in battery’s charge can be used to power the vehicle, which means
7improving levels of automation in warehousing. Several less down time charging and more time in use. Depending on the
worldwide robot manufacturers offer robotic solutions that make application, a lithium-ion battery can last up to 10 years before
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inventory, stock take and picking faster. needing replacing. Li-ion powered trucks and warehouse equipment
Take Amazon’s machines for example. Each has its own area to is one way to keep energy costs low without impacting on productivity.
cover, learning where to take its inventory from, which is then picked
and taken to a member of the warehouse staff for further distribution Crafty Construction The construction of
or directly onto trucks. Each small orange robot has what resembles 10warehouses will be changed in the coming years.
a pallet on its back, so each can travel around the warehouse with Single-envelope technology is poised to replace traditional methods
ease. and materials. By utilising composite panels in the construction,
energy efficiency, air-tightness and durability are increased. These
Barrage of Batteries You may not think battery technology are key benefits, especially for cold storage facilities.
8has anything to do with supply or logistics (beyond the supply The largest example of this design is in Wisbech, the UK’s leading
of the batteries themselves, of course) but you would be wrong. A few specialists in cold storage design and construction , built their facility
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firms have led developments in battery tech that could greatly aid to improve the UK’s number of frozen food warehouses. Construction
warehouse operations globally. time and costs were reduced by 20% while building the 36,000
The company has recently unveiled two batteries that can draw square metre space.
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energy from either nearby power grids or from renewable energy
sources, i.e. solar power. The benefits of these are twofold. Firstly, The Bright Future of Warehousing Technology
they allow for greater automation as the energy source will be local Technology keeps advancing quickly, as e-commerce and digital
and affordable enough to offset the upfront costs of installing distribution grows, so it is up to firms to ensure they keep abreast
automated systems. Secondly, the fact that they can be linked up to of all the latest innovations. Implementation will be key to the smooth
renewable energy sources means these batteries allow for a great running of supply chains as the 21 century roles on. Make sure
st
flexibility in the location of warehouses. They are, after all, not entirely your business will not be caught out and keep up to date.
dependent on local utility grids, so a further spread of warehouse

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