With a policy of keeping large amounts of inventory on hands, Parts Town was ready for any supply disruption. But it was also aided by having previously installed a goods-to-person system in the warehouse.

Robots are increasingly characterized as a panacea for numerous challenges in retail warehouses, but where does the hype end and reality begin?

By reshoring with automation technology, manufacturers can address the workforce challenges they’ve been experiencing for decades. 

An increasing number of manufacturers are implementing systems driven by augmented and virtual reality in a bid to boost efficiency, lower costs and minimize human touch points. 

A well-orchestrated, automated warehouse requires a smart fulfillment software platform that can tie together all the data-management systems that go into warehouse operations, says Akash Gupta, chief technology officer and co-founder of one-stop warehouse automation provider Grey Orange.

The number-one labor challenge for supply chains today is worker availability at the retail level, says Pete Blair, vice president of marketing with Berkshire Grey.

Ever evolving, robotics now can meet most any job in any situation, says Mike Futch, chief executive officer of Tompkins Robotics.

Vision, mobility and enhanced safety features make robotics ideal for labor automation, says Divya Prakash, director of business consulting at SICK.