What's new in automation? Johan Hellgren at TPL predicts the future!
Automation is rapidly revolutionizing the warehouse and logistics sector. But what is truly the best solution? And how will the technology look in the future? Johan Hellgren, Production Manager at TPL, is involved in driving multiple automation projects. Here, he shares his experience and thoughts on the future.
Automation is a technology used to automate work processes, making them more efficient and productive. Different types of automation offer tailored solutions depending on the customer's needs and product requirements. For instance, an e-commerce platform and a retail supply chain require different automation solutions due to differences in order structure and product quantity.
One of the biggest challenges in automation is setting the right requirements and understanding the systems. Automation delivers exactly what it is programmed to do, meaning careful planning and requirement setting are crucial. Incorrect requirements can lead to inefficiency and low productivity. Order structure, type of products, lead times – the better the data, the better the output and automation you will get
– The difficulty with automation is that it is what it is. It is not as flexible as a human and requires specific programming and maintenance to function optimally. It's about understanding the customer's unique needs and adapting the solution accordingly. Each project has its own specific requirements, and we must be flexible and innovative to meet these, says Johan.
TPL helps customers choose the right solution
PostNord TPL has extensive experience working with different types of automation, and a crucial factor in success is a deep understanding of the customer's needs and the specific product. TPL also has a strong and long-standing relationship with automation suppliers, ensuring that the requirements are set correctly.
– Our long experience with different setups is significant. Many think you just press a button, and a product comes out on the other side. It’s how you run the automation and when you understand it that it can perform optimally, Johan explains.
TPL grows together with the customers
It's important for TPL to work proactively and keep up with customers' development and expanding market positions. If a customer increases their market share, the volume will also increase. Something TPL must be able to handle. The automation is programmed in one way, so if it needs to produce more, it must be re-build or expanded – which takes time.
– You always must think about what it will look like two years ahead and prepare for that. It's about finding automation that can still be flexible and easy to expand or modify to meet the customer's needs, says Johan.
Johan Hellgren (right) with a college at one of TPL's warehouses in Norrköping
The future of automation
There is constantly new technology and new developments of the existing technology. A key goal is to maximize the density in warehouses since you want to fit as many products as possible in the smallest space. At the same time, you want to increase productivity, have high availability of goods, and get everything out as quickly as possible.
New technologies, such as picking robots, could play a central role in reducing the need for human labour and enabling three-shift operations – which would reduce lead times.
– The challenge today is that humans are more adaptable and can make their own decisions. A robot can't do that yet. If you're packing an order into a slightly folded bag, a person sees that the bag is folded it and can adjust it. A robot can't do that today, says Johan.
Different techniques are being tested today to develop existing solutions. For example, can shuttles travel on the outside instead of the inside? Another future trend is to connect more technologies, such as self-driving trucks. This is something the manufacturing industry is doing today, and Johan believes that 3PL providers and logistics players will do this in the future as well.
– I believe we will connect for example AGV (Automated Guided Vehicles) to automation to create a fully automated flow. Our long relationship with various suppliers will then be a significant advantage. We can buy AGV from one supplier and automation from another and then connect them. Our experience and requirement setting will be crucial, says Johan.
The future of automation is bright with endless possibilities for improvement and efficiency. By continuing to develop and adapt automation solutions, TPL can meet the ever-changing needs of its customers and the market.
– We have a long and successful history of adapting and developing automation for our customers. Our expertise and ability to set the right requirements make us unique and give us a strong position for future successes, concludes Johan.