Distribution and logistics.
Automation and cost to serve. Where value leaks in this sector, and what we do about it.
Market in numbers
Warehouse automation is growing quickly from a low base, driven as much by labour shortage as by cost.
Global warehouse automation market, 2025 to 2031, a compound rate of about 14%.
Mordor Intelligence, warehouse automation marketOf supply chain and logistics operations report notable workforce shortages.
Descartes workforce study, via Open Sky GroupOf supply chain leaders expect to adopt robotics and automation within five years.
MHI Annual Industry Report 2025, via Open Sky GroupFill in: check the figures from Descartes workforce study, via Open Sky Group and MHI Annual Industry Report 2025, via Open Sky Group against the original before launch
Where we focus
What matters most in this sector.
Warehouse
Goods-to-person, automated storage and retrieval, and pick optimisation.
Automation
Autonomous mobile robots, conveyors and sortation, justified by the business case.
Routing
Network and route optimisation to cut cost per order.
Capacity
Matching labour and automation to demand rather than to peak.
What we measure
Cost per order, lines per hour, on-time delivery and stock accuracy.
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Case studies are illustrative and context-specific. Outcomes depend on operating conditions, implementation and other factors, and similar results should not be assumed.