At Stand 404 of Robotics and Automation, Swisslog, a leading integrator of the AutoStore automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS), is demonstrating how its solutions can benefit the food and beverage sector.
Swisslog delivers data-driven and robotic logistics automation solutions and, it says, is ‘leading the way in implementing technologies to meet e-grocery demand’. Designed to increase efficiency in warehouse operations, Swisslog solutions such as ACPaQ and AutoStore ‘can be tailored to meet the specific needs of any food and beverage or grocery business’.
ACPaQ, a fully-automated case and pallet-handling system, can increase throughput and reduce labour costs. AutoStore, a high-density storage and retrieval system, maximises space utilisation and allows for fast and accurate order fulfilment.
At Stand 404, Adam Fox, business development manager at Swisslog, told Robotics & Automation that Swisslog does a lot of work within the food and beverage sector, from manufacturers’ factories to distribution centres, and even in micro hubs.
Speaking on the challenges currently facing this sector in particular, Fox said: “Undoubtedly in food and beverage, certainly at the distribution centre as wholesale, the number one challenge if it’s ambient, I would say, is definitely mitigating the risk of labour availability or the cost of labour.
“If its in a frozen warehouse or a chilled warehouse, having that much more dense, much more efficient solution allows us to reduce the energy cost burden [which is important] because energy cost is a really difficult factor, particularly in frozen distribution.”
On Robotics and Automation, Fox noted: “We’ve done this show, I think, from the very inception of IntraLogisteX so we’ve seen it grow and grow in terms of importance and footfall as well… there’s a lot of people around here.
“We’re looking to do three things [at the exhibition]. One is to raise our presence with end users. The second is to be able to discuss with existing customers how things are and what their aspirations are. And then [the third is] obviously to meet potential new customers and potentially help them if they’re looking at evaluating automation in their operations.”
