Locus Robotics to provide AMRs for optical products distribution specialist

ABB Optical, a distributor of optical products in the United States, and Locus Robotics, a provider of autonomous mobile robots for fulfillment warehouses, have installed Locus’ AMRs at ABB Optical’s National Logistics Center in Hebron, Kenucky.

ABB Optical’s Kentucky warehouse is the second location to utilize Locus’s innovative robotics automation technology and was built from the ground up to be a Locus-centric facility to improve warehouse order fulfillment efficiency and accuracy to deliver a superior fulfillment experience to their customers.

ABB Optical had previously deployed LocusBots at its Florida headquarters in November 2021.

Tom Calhoun, SVP of operations, ABB Optical, says: “Supply-chain issues hit the healthcare industry hard, especially eye care, that’s why this partnership represents a tremendous investment we are making not only in the future of optometry, but also in our valued customers.

“ABB Optical always has been and continues to be a reliable business partner to eye care professionals, delivering the best services to help them better serve their patients in an evolving industry.”

The LocusBots enable ABB Optical to accurately track order information and ensure that the right item is picked out of the over 160,000 different SKUs they carry.

Locus worked closely with ABB Optical throughout the design phase to create a warehouse layout that would be optimized for robotic picking from day one.

Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus, says: “Locus is dedicated to ensuring our robotics solution helps customers drive efficiencies, improve worker satisfaction and reduce costs, ensuring that the right products get to the customer as quickly as possible.

“Locus’s real-time data and performance dashboards help management gain insight and predictability to efficiently manage labor and productivity to seamlessly meet changes in demand. This flexibility allows operators to easily scale up to meet an increase in demand and ensure a positive customer and patient experience.”

The Locus solution delivers flexible, intelligent robotics automation that ensures business continuity, mitigates labor-related challenges, helps plan for future growth and guarantees on-time shipping for patients.