Rapid Collaborations And Partnerships Drive Innovation In Material Handling Automation

Today’s economic situations have put immense pressure on the companies to garner quick returns on their investments. Thus, major manufacturers focus their research to develop novel material handling equipment that could offer a strong return on investment with its fastest speed. Furthermore, robotics and automation systems have helped businesses to stay ahead of the curve by assisting in smooth order picking, real-time tracking, and cost-effectiveness. According to Allied Market Research, the global automated material handling equipment market is projected to reach $39.06 billion by 2022. Increased need for automation, exponential growth in e-commerce industry, and rapid advancements in technology would be the major drivers for the growth.

Automated sorting systems are becoming norm as they are available in various configuration to seamlessly accommodate single-piece picking in part-to-picker and picker-to-part configurations. Moreover, high-speed automation is leading to novel technologies that could easily load and unload trucks. Sorting systems are rapidly adopted in distribution center and warehouses to sort products to specific storage zones to dock doors for shipping. 

Recently, Slate River Systems announced its partnership with Honeywell Intelligrated to deploy novel robotic material handling equipment. In other news, JBT has been collaborating with several companies to build its automation portfolio. Such collaborations have boosted the growth of the market.

Slate River Systems partners with Honeywell Intelligrated

Recently, Slate River Systems, Inc. (SRSI), one of the leading material handling system integrator, joined its forces with Honeywell Intelligrated’s network of integration partners. Honeywell Intelligrated, the well-knows automation, and software engineering company. The SRSI team is expected to employ Honeywell’s line of high-speed conveyor and sorting systems along with automated storage and picking systems and intelligent software as vital components of their optimized distribution center solutions.

SRSI and Honeywell Intelligrated are currently together on several material handling systems deployments such as large pick module optimization project that includes studying and optimizing order fulfillment operations. The solution efficient at keeping the existing equipment where it is and pairing it with upgraded conveyor system as well as picking system to effectively meet the high-pressure fulfillment demands.

Ben York, the Founder of SRSI, stated, “We are excited to announce our partnership with Honeywell Intelligrated. Our customers would directly benefit from the application of innovative systems and technologies. Moreover, our team would gain expertise through Honeywell’s in-depth resources, training, and supportive network.”

JBT advances in automated material handling industry

JBT Corporation, the worldwide technology provider announced that it would launch a novel dual-mode automated guided vehicle (AVG) with cooperating with Hyster-Yale Materials Handling. With this new dual-mode, JBT wants to demonstrate its AVG abilities as well as commitment to offering automation to customers across the globe. In addition, the dual-mode truck could signal response from JBT to trends in warehousing.

JBT is expected to power Hyster-Yale’s robotic truck with advanced sensors and 3D cameras for accuracy and on-board navigation for automated performance and fleet management software for maximum efficiency. The automated truck could operate in both automatic as well as the manual mode and can reach up to 30 feet into double-deep storage, making it ideal for distribution centers and warehouse operations. In addition, this truck would be the first of its kind and is expected to help companies to deal with various challenges such as dearth of skilled labor and e-commerce-oriented inventory growth. Moreover, JBT has been pursuing advancement of this product to solve such business restraints. The company has already implemented over 30 of these units at customer sites have received positive reviews.

Prior to this, Crown Equipment Corp. had announced its collaboration with JBT on making novel products to help clients reap maximum benefits of automated material handling. According to the deal, both the companies would offer their clients access to their combined range of automation capabilities, helping users attain their return on investment. The companies have already worked to develop Crown DualMode T tow tractor that could change from manual to automated mode. Moreover, the vehicle portrays Crown’s automation solution capabilities.

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