DHL Supply Chain has introduced its newest range of autonomous forklifts in mainland Europe, with the pallet movers the latest addition to its multi-user warehouse in Bornem, Belgium, which it operates for consumer goods company Unilever.
The installation of autonomous indoor robotic transporters is part of the company’s ‘Accelerated Digitalization’ strategy, and focuses on using autonomous forklifts for indoor pallet movement.
The implementation is the result of a strategic collaboration between DHL Supply Chain, robotics expert Logisnext Solutions and Unilever to use automated technology to increase warehouse efficiency, productivity and workplace safety.
John Scherders, CEO, DHL Supply Chain Benelux & Nordics, said: “Following similar deployments in our North America and UK and Ireland businesses, we have now deployed the first commercial fleet of autonomous forklifts in Mainland Europe.
“These trucks can operate across the full height of the warehouse and provide a flexible and scalable answer to the labor-tight market.
“With Logisnext we found a partner to deploy this solution in a warehouse operation with very limited changes to the warehouse infrastructure.”
The autonomous forklifts can move 1,000 pallets per day, creating a smooth, accurate and stable flow of goods within the warehouse, operating 24/7. What’s more, they can manage the transportation of base volumes, while manual forklifts can still be added if higher volumes are needed.
This flexibility is supported by the DHL Robotics Hub, a platform for standardised ‘plug-and-play’ integration of robotic solutions into the warehouse management system.
DHL Supply Chain will host a panel discussion at Final Destination Logistics on 18-19 May 2022 at Exhibition Centre Liverpool. For more details, go to www.finaldestinationlogistics.co.uk
