Almost nine in 10 directors and senior leaders across UK retail and e-commerce believe implementing robotics and automation in warehousing can improve sustainability, according to new research.
A survey carried out by Inteq, an integrator of automation and robotics technology for supply chains, of 250 leaders at £10m+ turnover companies found 88% agree automation can enhance energy efficiency, reduce waste, optimise space utilisation and lower transport emissions, with 49% strongly agreeing and 39% somewhat agreeing.
Operational gains were also highlighted: 87% said access to robotics and automation would improve customer fulfilment. However, 24% cited lack of warehouse space as a challenge during market and demand fluctuations.
On technology trends set to shape logistics over the next five years, respondents ranked AI and machine learning first (62%), followed by advanced sensors (40%), blockchain for supply chain (36%), collaborative robots (35%) and drone deliveries (27%).
Interest varies by channel strategy: 73% of omnichannel businesses picked AI and machine learning as most impactful, compared with 61% of store-only and 57% of pure e-commerce respondents.
A quarter (25%) pointed to magnetic propulsion as the emerging robotics or fixed-automation trend likely to have significant impact.
Scott Merrick, managing director at Inteq, said the latest wave of warehouse automation “offers exciting and innovative new ways to reduce the footprint of warehousing”.
He added: “Truly nailing efficiency can only be done with the proper collaboration of differing technologies, processes and systems.
“This is why everything needs to start with integration. Taking a piecemeal or ad hoc approach to warehouse automation integration won’t cut it.”
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