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Last mile: Micro-fulfillment centers bring supply chains to the consumer

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Over the last few years, as e-commerce sales have increased and customer expectations have shifted, there has been a steady race to move fulfillment closer to the customer.

Something once so innovative as two-day delivery has led to next-day delivery, which is quickly becoming obsolete as consumers demand same-day delivery.

This trend has accelerated during the Covid-19 pandemic, especially as more consumers become comfortable with online ordering of perishable items and groceries. One of the significant changes in supply chain strategies we are seeing as a result of this is the rise of fulfillment centers that bring fulfillment closer to the consumer. [Read more…] about Last mile: Micro-fulfillment centers bring supply chains to the consumer

Automating Performance Metrics: Start with Demand and Inventory Forecasting

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By Mike Mills, Director, Business Consulting, Blue Ridge

2021 is the year when companies need earlier insights into new market opportunities, including what items consumers want, on what channel, how much they should stock, and how much they will pay for these products.

The ability to compete in new areas with this level of agility will be the key to unraveling chaos. As e-commerce continues to threaten the market with competitive products that are available nearly instantly, shifting consumer trends can make stocking shelves even more challenging.

Two-thirds of distributors, retailers, and manufacturers report that transportation, labor, and goods were rising more quickly than in previous years. Automation has become a full imperative; Covid has magnified the need. [Read more…] about Automating Performance Metrics: Start with Demand and Inventory Forecasting

Geek+ and Universal Logic partner to develop warehouse robotics and automation

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Geek+, a provider of autonomous mobile robots and warehouse automation, and Universal Logic, a developer of a software “brain” for robots, have agreed a new partnership.

Together, the two technology leaders declare a joint commitment to support the manufacturing and logistics industry with a paradigm-shifting goods-to-robot solution, for automating supply chain operations and elevating industry 4.0.

With large parts of the supply chain dependent on fixed automation and manual materials handling, the rise in demand for customization and made-to-stock capabilities have resulted in strained processes. [Read more…] about Geek+ and Universal Logic partner to develop warehouse robotics and automation

Seegrid doubles revenues and sees ‘record adoption’ of its autonomous mobile robots

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Seegrid, a provider of autonomous mobile robots for material handling, says it doubled revenue year-over-year for the second year in a row.

Seegrid says its growth reflects increased demand from manufacturing, e-commerce, and logistics companies for automation solutions to address rising pressures on the supply chain, which were exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic and ever-evolving consumer demands.

Jim Rock, Seegrid’s CEO, says: “The incredible growth we recorded last year is a testament to our collective ability to adapt to changing environments – something that our customers can uniquely do when using our automation solutions. [Read more…] about Seegrid doubles revenues and sees ‘record adoption’ of its autonomous mobile robots

AV&R and APN partner to develop robotics for aeronautical manufacturing

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AV&R and APN, two Quebec companies operating in the aerospace market, combine their expertise in a collaborative and innovative project.

This initiative is part of Mach Fab 4.0 (Aéro Montreal) and aims to develop technologies for the complete automation of high product mix deburring operations.

Manufacturers in the aerospace supply chain, despite the use of automation, still rely on the human touch in the manufacturing of aerospace parts. [Read more…] about AV&R and APN partner to develop robotics for aeronautical manufacturing

How Supply Chain Software Can Benefit Your Business

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In today’s fast-paced, global marketplace, supply chain software can help improve your company’s efficiency and productivity.

You may find yourself needing to monitor and track multiple business functions and processes, but, sometimes, you can’t be there physically to oversee each aspect of your business. With this type of software, you can be sure that all of your business operations are being tracked and accounted for.

This can help you better plan and control how your business functions and allows you to make more informed decisions. In this article, you’ll learn in detail how supply chain software can benefit your business. Read on. [Read more…] about How Supply Chain Software Can Benefit Your Business

Merck and Volansi launch commercial drone service to deliver cold-chain medicines in rural North Carolina

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Volansi, a drone company specializing in medical logistics, has launched a commercial healthcare drone delivery project in North Carolina.

In collaboration with pharmaceuticals and biotech giant Merck, known as MSD outside the US and Canada, Volansi is piloting the delivery of cold-chain medicines from Merck’s Wilson, North Carolina manufacturing site to Vidant Healthplex-Wilson, a Vidant Health clinic, as the first of three phases in a project to learn about drone technology’s role and ability to improve access to healthcare.

With 1.4 million people across 29 counties, eastern North Carolina’s vast, rural environment can create challenges for accessing care. Initial flights in the project resulted in the first drone delivery of temperature-controlled medicines within the US. [Read more…] about Merck and Volansi launch commercial drone service to deliver cold-chain medicines in rural North Carolina

Outrider raises $65 million in Series B financing round

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Outrider, a provider of autonomous yard operations systems for logistics hubs, has closed $65 million in Series B funding, led by Koch Disruptive Technologies. Other existing investors increased their investments, including NEA, 8VC, and Prologis Ventures.

New investors included Evolv Ventures, the investment arm of Kraft Heinz, and Henry Crown and Company. With $118 million raised to date, Outrider is positioned to scale and support the rapid automation of distribution yards.

In supply-chain-intensive industries, distribution yard operations are necessary for transitioning goods between the road and the warehouse. [Read more…] about Outrider raises $65 million in Series B financing round

Swisslog partners with retail chain H-E-B to build automated micro-fulfillment centers

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Swisslog, a warehouse automation company, has partnered with H-E-B in San Antonio, Texas to support the company’s growing demand for online fulfillment.

H-E-B says demand for its online grocery services is continuing to accelerate.

Swisslog is working with H-E-B to build a number of automated micro-fulfillment centers to support the chain’s curbside pick-up and delivery business. [Read more…] about Swisslog partners with retail chain H-E-B to build automated micro-fulfillment centers

Walmart’s doubling of online sales to boost warehouse robotics sector

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Walmart has reported that its e-commerce sales have almost doubled as a result of the coronavirus lockdown forcing everyone to lock themselves up at home as often as possible and shopping online.

The company reported a staggering 97 percent increase in online sales for its second quarter, total revenue of almost $138 billion, which is an increase of $7.4 billion overall across internet and in-store sales.

Additionally, Walmart’s marketplace has also seen a doubling in the number of sellers included, to more than 50,000. [Read more…] about Walmart’s doubling of online sales to boost warehouse robotics sector