By the end of this year, pure-play logistics provider GXO will have approximately 7,600 pieces of technology operational in customer sites – including collaborative robots and robots, vision scanners, automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and goods-to-person robots. This is up more than 50% over the previous year, with the company deploying more technology this quarter than in any in its history.
GXO can help its customers achieve their environmental goals through the use of its technology – such as machines that tailor cardboard packaging and software that optimizes inventory – and collaborative robots, goods-to-person robots and wearable scanners have also been implemented, easing the physical demands of work and reducing training time. The company sees technology as an important part of enabling staff members’ professional advancement, achieving greater satisfaction and improving talent retention.
More than 30% of GXO’s revenue now comes from automated sites. As part of its commitment to automation, GXO has partnered with venture capital company Sente Foundry to search for technology start-ups and signed a multi-year agreement with 6 River Systems to expand its supply of collaborative robots.
Sandeep Sakharkar, chief information officer of GXO, said, “GXO is deploying more automation and robotics than ever because the benefits they deliver are game-changing for our customers and our team members. The technology we’re deploying makes warehouse operations safer, more productive, more efficient and, in a time of high inflation, more cost-effective while upskilling the workforce.
“As growth in the working-age population declines and the capabilities and cost-effectiveness of automation rapidly improve, the ‘roboconomy’ will continue to accelerate. Across our business, we’re working with more and more customers to apply technology that enables greater precision in inventory management and improves speed and accuracy in order fulfillment because we see the potential to realize substantial cost-savings through automation and gain a competitive edge through the customization GXO provides.”
