CXOToday has engaged in an exclusive interview withMr. Vinayak Bhat, General Manager at Bastian Solutions
How does warehouse automation contribute to streamlining operations in India’s manufacturing sector?
Warehouse automation in India’s manufacturing sector contributes significantly to streamlining operations by increasing efficiency, reducing errors, and optimizing resource utilization. Automation systems such as robotic pickers, conveyor belts, and automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) can handle tasks like order picking, sorting, and inventory management more quickly and accurately than manual labor. This leads to reduced operational costs, faster order processing, and improved inventory accuracy. Additionally, automation enables better space utilization and scalability, allowing manufacturers to respond more effectively to market demands.
What are some of the advanced technologies used in warehouse automation in India?
In the context of warehouse automation in India, several advanced technologies are gaining prominence. While many companies primarily rely on conveyor systems to enhance their warehouse operations, there are a few that have already introduced or are considering the introduction of AS/RS. This is mainly driven by space constraints and the need for efficient handling of bulk loads.
One of the key challenges in warehousing operations is the sorting, storing, picking, and movement of materials within warehouses, which can significantly impact workflow efficiency. To address these challenges and take warehousing automation to the next level in India, there’s a growing interest in innovative technologies such as robotic sortation systems for accurate and speedy material handling, goods-to-person automated storage and retrieval systems to streamline order picking and storing, and the integration of autonomous vehicles for safe and efficient material transportation within warehouses. Embracing these advanced technologies will help Indian companies enhance their warehouse automation capabilities, ultimately improving overall operational efficiency and competitiveness in the market.
What challenges may companies face when adopting warehouse automation in the Indian manufacturing landscape?
One of the biggest challenges is the initial capital investment required for automation systems. This financial commitment can be daunting for many companies, especially smaller ones, and often leads them to rely on manual processes as a cost-effective alternative. However, an experienced integrator can help evaluate your current and past operation trends and weigh them against industry trends, technology options, available budget, and past experiences and lessons learned. With the increasing adoption of automation, technology options have boomed. This means there are varying scales of solutions at various price points to consider. At the end of the day, an investment in automation is an investment that will bring improvements for your workforce and customers.
Inadequate infrastructure can also pose a significant challenge when introducing material handling technologies. The existing infrastructure may not be well-suited to accommodate the automation equipment, which can lead to the need for costly modifications. A thorough review, with budget and operation objectives in mind, can help determine the needed technology and thus critical infrastructure requirements. Understanding current conditions, restrictions, and target goals can help zero in on what is possible and what might require adjustments.
Furthermore, a lack of knowledge and expertise in material handling systems can hamper the introduction and adoption of technology in warehouses for manufacturers. It is quite common to observe companies misunderstanding the application of technology for other processes, leading to incorrect technology selection and subsequent decision-making errors. Therefore, it is crucial to recognize the significance of consulting with experienced material handling and system integration experts who are familiar with various material handling equipment, technology brands, industries, and system configurations. These experts can bring valuable insights and guidance that help to make informed and accurate decisions in technology selection and implementation.
Lastly, the complexity of existing systems in many Indian manufacturing facilities can be time-consuming to reconfigure or integrate with new automation technologies. Legacy systems may not be readily compatible, requiring careful planning and execution to ensure a smooth transition.
How does Bastian Solutions support the upskilling of the manufacturing workforce to adapt to warehouse automation technologies?
There are many repetitive tasks in warehouses – from inbound receiving, material storage putaway, manufacturing needs, sealing of boxes, and carrying of boxes to outbound stations for truck loading. While some tasks are more commonly automated, a lot is still completed manually through manual product sortation, product stacking, and order picking, for example. These repetitive tasks can be easily automated to create a better work environment, create efficiencies in time management, and, overall, create a better workplace through improved workforce safety and ergonomics. To be better equipped with solutions that promote these areas of improvement, Bastian Solutions offers comprehensive technology options and solution systems, as well as thorough workforce training and resources that specifically address the operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of any material handling technology our clients utilize.
To reap the benefits of automation both for company efficiencies and for workforce improvements, making an impact requires more than just equipment installation. Upon installation and thorough testing of automation technologies, including both machines and software, we make certain that the client’s experts are fully proficient in understanding the technology and software before considering the project integrated. Customer and workforce support doesn’t end there, however. Our dedicated team is readily available to offer both 24,/7 online and onsite support, ensuring that our clients’ processes run continuously and efficiently, meeting their business expectations.
How does Bastian aim to capture the Indian manufacturing landscape?
Bastian Solutions offers a comprehensive range of material handling technologies for warehouse automation across various industries – e-commerce, manufacturing, consumer durables, pharmaceuticals, and many more. In India, since 1996, we have emphasized the significance of automation not only for warehouse operation efficiencies but also for business growth. Company improvements that positively impact your customers’ experience start with your warehouse operations. To accomplish this, our experts apply deep understanding from various sectors, including manufacturing.
We are in the process of establishing our conveyor manufacturing plant and will commence deliveries of various range of conveyors to businesses across sectors starting next year, we are actively recruiting candidates who have prior experience in manufacturing sectors in various industries. With the addition of new employees from various sectors, we will collaborate closely to address the unique challenges and requirements of the Indian manufacturing sector, which could be high-speed throughput, product handling, safety, storage or warehouse space optimization. With our highly skilled and experienced team, we are dedicated to revolutionizing the way we approach and tackle day-to-day challenges and provide innovative technologies that enhance operational efficiency.
