Can you afford not to consider automation?
With Brexit looming, a recent study has found that whatever deal is struck with the EU, costs will rise and profitability will fall.
The warehouse and logistics sector often rely on affordable labour from the EU, so the increase in red tape and new border regulations could prove costly.
This, along with the introduction of the national living wage and the auto-enrolment into employer pension schemes under the NEST initiative, has raised concerns for some businesses that there will be an impact on their ability to trade profitably.
Given that many manual warehouses have a large employee base, particularly with the huge increase in order picking required by the rise of eCommerce, employment costs are going to significantly increase over the next few years.
In light of what to many is likely to be a surprisingly large increase in the employee cost base, the case for automation within the warehouse may have a more rapid and consequently more attractive return on investment.
When considering the introduction of any level of mechanisation or indeed automation of warehouse processes it is important that the solution proposed integrates holistically with the whole of the operation. It might be enough to just add a bagging machine to the despatch process to cut down on manpower requirements, but in all likelihood significantly greater savings can be made if the entire operation is reviewed. Bearing in mind the budget available, an experienced solutions integrator should be able to propose a solution which meets the needs of a business both now and in the future.
Logistex is an independent automated solutions integrator with no manufacturing ties, meaning that it is able to design mechanised and automated solutions which use the most appropriate equipment available in the market, not just those manufactured in house. Services cover warehouse/materials handling design and implementation, warehouse management software and control systems, equipment refurbishment and maintenance, facilities management and 24/7 hotline support and spares.
Logistex’s LWS Reflex Warehouse Management Software is a flexible, scalable solution for all warehouse operations from simple manual through to complex automation. Unlike many other systems LWS Reflex is not licensed per user but licensed by site with unlimited users, so there’s no penalty for growth. The ideal solution for the eCommerce business, LWS Reflex means never having to buy another WMS, ever.
Combining the freedom to source the most suitable equipment from the market with its own in-house software expertise, Logistex blends the various components into a holistic, integrated system. The solution Logistex designed and installed for the Superdrug eCommerce warehouse resulted in a 48% increase in throughput in the first year, achieved using 60% less operational cost. One of Logistex’s most recent partnerships to benefit customers enables Logistex to promote, sell, install and maintain a range of Savoye products including the Intelis® PTS goods to person shuttles. These compact and scalable systems can reduce the picking area significantly, saving space and costs.
In addition to full maintenance and service facilities – including site-based teams where required –Logistex are carrying out more and more major refurbishment projects on existing systems. In these challenging times, clients appreciate that they can considerably extend operational life – with improved performance and reliability of their equipment – at a fraction of the cost of new and without disruption to their operations. The excellent quality of customer service doesn’t end when the project is complete, as Logistex builds a lasting relationship with their clients. Based from the Kettering head office, Logistex has dedicated hotline support for Systems and Control issues, manned by skilled engineers with a wealth of industry experience. Logistex is proud to have the largest UK Service Support team in the warehouse automation industry.
Independently owned, Logistex’s clients can rest assured that it is totally committed to meeting or exceeding its clients’ expectations, free from the pressures that investors or shareholders might place on it.
Tel: 01536 480 600
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