In the race to maximise warehouse space utilisation, smart logistic leaders have started looking up for pallet storage.
Conservative estimates show that with each new level of racking, you can add up to 30 per cent more storage capacity.
Land value and scarcity are other factors for storage salvation in Australia, especially in Sydney and Melbourne. Industrial rents have skyrocketed 27 per cent in 2023, and that number will only rise with Sydney having one of the lowest industrial vacancy rates at 0.5 per cent.
With vertical expansion established as the clear choice to increase warehouse capacity, the next question becomes how to handle pallet storage and retrieval in this newly elevated world.
Understanding high bay AGVS
AGVs are vehicles equipped with lidar, cameras, and navigation systems that let them move freely within warehouse environments. They operate without the need for operators or fixed infrastructure, navigating dynamically and autonomously across a variety of tasks from inbound to outbound.
Other high bay storage options, including AS/RS, are mechanised systems consisting of high-rise storage racks, fixed and inflexible automated conveyors, and rail-guided cranes that retrieve items from designated storage locations and deliver them to predetermined destinations.
Advantages of AGVs –
Ease of implementation
AGVs offer a plug-and-play solution, requiring no changes to your warehouse, distribution center, or manufacturing environment. They integrate with existing warehouse management systems (WMS/WCS) and infrastructure, reducing implementation time and disruption to ongoing operations. With an AGV offering that uses standard OEM base trucks, you can expect to be fully autonomous with pallet movements in just a few short months.
Fast and location based flexibility
AGVs offer unparalleled flexibility, as they can adapt to changing warehouse locations, layouts, and operational requirements with ease. They can be reprogrammed and redeployed to accommodate new workflows or fluctuations on demand.
Cost-effectiveness
AGVs are a cost-effective solution due to their modular design and incremental scalability. Businesses can start with a small fleet of AGVs and gradually expand as needed, spreading the investment over time. Additionally, AGVs work in your existing environment on day one. You can then scale up your racking over time as your business needs change. AGVs can serve as your utility player, handling all of your material handling tasks from dock to dock, including high bay storage.
Improved safety and collaboration
AGVs are designed with advanced sensors and collision avoidance technology, ensuring safe operation alongside human workers. AGVs can share space with warehouse staff, enhancing productivity and efficiency. By automating repetitive and labor-intensive tasks, AGVs allow employees to focus on more value-added activities, leading to a safer and more fulfilling work environment.
Scalability and future-proofing
AGVs offer scalability, allowing businesses to easily increase their fleet size or incorporate new functionalities as needed. Their modular design and software-based control systems ensure compatibility with future technologies and advancements, providing a future-proof solution for evolving warehouse operations.
AGVs are emerging as an alternative in today’s dynamic logistics landscape. With their flexibility, ease of implementation, cost-effectiveness, adaptability, safety, and scalability, AGVs offer a compelling value proposition.
They can reach heights of 17m as well handle more traditional floor-to-floor or medium-lift movement and storage.
They stand poised to play a central role in reshaping the future of logistics and supply chain management.
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