Because the labor shortage is expected to continue, warehouse operators must consider investment in robotics, says Stanislas Normand, managing director of Exotec.

It’s indisputable that the biggest change in the warehouse is what’s taking place in robotics, Normand says. “If you look at all the new entrants in the industry, they're actually all robotic players. Even larger companies that were usually present in traditional automation are now developing internal robotic solutions or trying to integrate external solutions. So that's the major shift that we're seeing.”

Agility is one of the reasons why robotics has caused such a dramatic shift in technology investment, he says. “What the market needs is more nimble solutions, more agility. And that's where robotics come in.”

Of course, the labor gap is a major reason why robotics is in demand. Managers need systems for numerous activities that humans seem to no longer be interested in performing; plus, the return on investment is such that companies can save on labor costs relatively quickly.

The labor shortage is a “telltale sign” that companies need to consider investing in robotics. “The shortage limits them in their growth, in their ability to deliver products to clients,” Normand says. “The market is asking for same-day delivery each day. You can't achieve that if you have uncertainty in labor activity.”

Scalability is a key reason to move to robotics, in Normand’s view. Forecasts are inherently difficult to be accurate over long periods. Being an agile technology, robotics can readily adapt to a company’s operations and growth. “It’s flexible and scalable.”

Normand says recent studies show that 40% of workers will look to change jobs in the next six months. Businesses must improve work conditions in order to retain employees. “That's where robotics comes in. It improves their work conditions.”