U.S. Warehouse Automation Market: Exploring Potential and Innovation
Warehouse Automation
30 Mar 2023
By Saurabh Adsule
U.S. Warehouse Automation Market: Exploring Potential and Innovation
Automating warehouse operations helps cut down on manual labor. To increase accuracy and efficiency, it automates warehouse jobs using software, hardware, and procedures. Improved security, more effective data management, less human error, and better safety are some of the main advantages of warehouse automation.
At present, more than 80% of warehouses are devoid of any kind of automation. In comparison, over the past ten years, only 5% of warehouses have made use of advanced automation technology and solutions. As a result, there is enormous market potential for the ecosystem of warehouse automation.
What are the Lucrative Markets for Warehouse Automation in the US?
Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago, Los Angeles/Inland Empire, and New York/New Jersey are the "biggest and most competitive industrial markets."
The COVID-19 pandemic's greatest immediate commercial impact was consumers' migration to online purchasing, which sparked a rise in demand for eCommerce warehouse and distribution services. In addition to dealing with their own labor shortage, supply chain problems, and transportation issues, warehouses were also trying to keep up with increased demand, which presented a number of continuous hurdles. Flexibility is crucial for warehouses to thrive in a rapidly shifting and unpredictable environment. Businesses have been forced to reevaluate and restructure their logistics operations as a result of the pandemic. In addition, many people decide to adopt warehouse automation systems.
How has COVID-19 impacted the warehouse automation industry in the US?
Labor Issues: Workers at warehouses and distribution facilities faced the challenging possibility of keeping up with a practically impossible workload due to the shift in consumer demand to online retailers prior to the pandemic. The rate of employee turnover in warehouses is infamously high. Automation techniques can lessen the strain on these people and perhaps make the workplace a safer place to work.
The expansion of warehouse automation in 2020 and 2021 witnessed the most double-digit growth in the previous five years, primarily due to the pandemic's impact on e-commerce.
Innovation in Warehouse Automation
Fetch Robotics and Korber recently unveiled a new case-picking solution for distribution facilities that would increase productivity and safety, whereas KNAPP and GEODIS recently announced a USD 52 million agreement to develop a highly automated warehouse system.
In conclusion, warehouse automation is an efficient solution for companies to reduce manual labor, improve accuracy, and increase efficiency. The impact of COVID-19 on the industry has further emphasized the need for warehouse automation, with companies seeking to streamline their logistics operations and keep up with the rising demand for eCommerce services. As innovation continues to drive the growth of warehouse automation, we can expect to see more companies adopting this technology in the coming years.