OW Robotics offers flexible and scalable warehouse automation using goods-to-person, A-to-B and manufacturing line robotics. Using our 30 years’ industry experience in warehousing in the UK and globally, and partnered with Hikrobot’s cutting edge robotic technology, our solutions allow businesses of all sizes to change the future of their operation using robotics.
Robotics Business Consultant at OW Robotics
We are passionate about helping businesses grow without the burden of additional overheads. We set the foundations for an optimised warehouse with increased efficiency, reduced operational costs and above all, a brighter future.
Our solutions are completely scalable and customisable, so you can build a warehouse that works in tune with your operational demands. What’s more, we’ve created the first Robotics Demonstration Centre of its kind in the UK and Europe, so you can experience our solutions first-hand and discover what flexible automation will bring to your business.
Greg Downey, Robotics Business Consultant at OW Robotics, spoke to Warehouse & Logistics News.
What products or services does your company offer?
We deliver flexible and scalable robotics solutions to future proof warehouse operations in the UK. We have three flagship solutions – goods-to-person, A-to-B and manufacturing line, all built with robotics hardware from our global partner, Hikrobot.
Which industries do your customers operate in?
Our customers operate in a range of industries, as flexible automation can be customised to nearly every warehouse environment. The racks that form part of our customers’ solutions are configurable and contain a variety of different elements, from clothing racks for apparel, compartmental pick faces for screws and bolts, and medium-large shelving for heavy food and drink products. We also accommodate UK and EU pallets, meaning our solutions serve businesses that are both closer to home and further afield.
Did Covid-19 have a negative impact or did the increase in online shopping actually result in a boost to your business?
The increase in online shopping during Covid-19 resulted in a heightened need for flexible automation. With essential supplies flying off the shelves in supermarkets, to DIY demand crashing through the roof, customers wanted products more urgently than ever before. Plus, with a lockdown to contend with, most consumers had no choice but to make the transition from in-store to online shopping, increasing this surge in demand further.
Sadly, businesses couldn’t keep up with this increased demand due to having warehouse operations that weren’t fit for purpose. In fact, it made businesses realise that having a streamlined operation is fundamental to customer loyalty. During the pandemic, availability became the most important factor for consumers, and the businesses that couldn’t provide their products fast enough, or even at all, were the ones that ended up in hot water.
As a result, more businesses grew concerned that they could end up with the same fate if they continued running as they were. That’s why businesses came to us. Using our flexible automation, they will build an operation that will withstand demand now and in the future.
Going forward, will the industry be permanently changed as a result of Covid-19 or will it return to how it was pre-Covid?
The robotics industry has permanently changed. As we’ve found out, coronavirus isn’t going to disappear any time soon. Now, employers need to ensure their staff are well protected from the virus and limit the risk of contamination in their warehouses as a result.
Flexible automation is an easy way to combat this risk. As our robots do all of the moving around, you won’t have pickers placed throughout your warehouse and potentially bumping into each other. Instead, your robots will bring goods to the picker, allowing for one-touch fulfilment in operations and a significantly lower risk of contamination. This also allows for employees to enter more added-value roles while simultaneously increasing pick rates in the warehouse, enabling businesses to fulfil more orders at a faster speed.
What products or services will you be introducing in the next year?
We’ll be introducing two new robots in 2021 – the F2 and Container Transport Unit (CTU).
The F2 robot is an automated forklift that delivers exceptional precision and speed in your warehouse. It’s ideal for A-B pallet movements and works brilliantly in ecommerce, 3PL, manufacturing and other environments.
The CTU robot is capable of carrying up to five totes in one trip and offers unparalleled levels of efficient organisation for busy warehouse environments. It’s the perfect companion for manufacturing facilities, spare parts storage or operations that use work order pick lists. Keep your eyes peeled on our website and social media channels for more information on these releases.
Are you helping customers boost the level of automation in their business?
Helping customers boost the level of automation in their business is the heart and soul of what we do.
Despite pioneers such as Amazon and Ocado showcasing that robotics have revolutionised their operations, many businesses still fear it’s out of their reach. In fact, the amount of warehouse managers still running their operations using paper-based processes is much higher than you could imagine.
However, businesses are slowly realising that automation isn’t just for the big players. Now, businesses across the UK are jumping on board to ensure their warehouses are ready for all climates – especially after the disruption caused by Covid-19. With stiff competition at the moment, we are particularly passionate about showing UK businesses the value of flexible automation and how it can take them to the next level.
Do you help customers maximise the use of their existing warehouse space?
We want customers to maximise their existing warehouse space before investing in a new one – that’s why flexible automation is becoming far more sought after in comparison to fixed infrastructure. Our offering is scalable, so you can customise your solution to suit the size and shape of your warehouse. You can have as many robots and racks, in as many different sizes as you need to enhance your processes, and even make more room in your warehouse with space-saving solutions.
What industries do you believe offer your business the most potential over the next year?
The ecommerce industry has never seen more demand. Following the closure of brick and mortar stores, many businesses moved online to continue trading. Covid-19 demonstrated the importance of having an online offering, and with consumers wanting their products faster than ever before, businesses began experiencing spikes above and beyond their normal peak periods. Trying to keep up with these spikes using conventional warehouse picking techniques resulted in a swell of staff for many businesses, but goods-to-person automation allows them to tackle these spikes without the huge impacts.
I also believe the food and drink industry is going to witness a boom in flexible automation over the next year. Since the first lockdown, supermarkets have been running like clockwork to ensure their shelves are filled with everyday essentials, and it’s up to the warehouses to fulfil this demand in-store and online. Making sure their operations are future proof will ensure fast moving of supplies for consumers, and with such a fast turnaround time on their products, automation will be the only way they can keep up.
How future proof is your business?
OW Robotics is future proof because our offering is built on a flexible model. Using flexible automation, warehouses can change the shape and size of their solution without investing in the costly removal of fixed infrastructure, as well as switch-up what they sell in a flash with flexible storage options. Businesses won’t need to recruit more employees for every spike in demand they have, and recruiting more robots won’t require the costly and time-consuming onboarding process. Most importantly, our solutions grow with businesses as they change and expand. We build partnerships with our customers, so they can easily expand their solution when they’re ready to.
Will you be exhibiting at any major trade shows over the next year?
We’re bringing our goods-to-person solution to IntraLogisteX on 27-28 May 2021 and Robotics and Automation on 2-3 November 2021. Our experts will be on hand for demonstrations and to share information on our exciting range of solutions. You can visit our Robotics Demonstration Centre to see our solutions first-hand whenever you want by simply booking an appointment with us, or you can even request a virtual tour!
How would you sum up your company in three words?
Flexible, Powerful, Leading.
OW ROBOTICS
01522 704083
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