_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Automation

and productivity . The challenges associated with retaining and recruiting staff are well documented . In addition to seeking help from the government to address the estimated shortage of 60,000 drivers and warehouse operatives , many businesses have been compelled to increase salaries , with one discount supermarket increasing its hourly rate for warehouse workers by 20 percent over the past year .

Furthermore , retailers and logistics companies are increasingly aware of the need to improve safety and well-being within a highly physical environment . Not only are companies under pressure to comply with regulatory demands for employee health and safety , unless the warehouse environment experience improves , companies will struggle to attract new staff .

Add in the continued impact of global inflation and supply chain disruption , and retailers are under enormous pressure to achieve new levels of efficiency and cost effectiveness from existing operations .

Power of automation

Automation provides a chance to address a range of operational needs :

Transforming productivity : Autonomous mobile robots ( AMRs ) can reduce the time spent by workers walking around the warehouse facility . Indeed , AMRs are incredibly flexible , with add-on options , such as picking arms , barcode readers , cameras or grabbing mechanisms , meaning they can be deployed in different areas of the warehouse as required . Software solutions

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