Priority Integrated Systems offers customised automation solutions to clients by assessing their needs and selecting appropriate technologies. MHD interviewed Graham Bingham and Henry He about warehouse operation challenges and using technology to address them.
In the warehousing and logistics sector, Priority Integrated Systems is notable for its innovative use of advanced technology and deep understanding of the Australian market.
Leading this company are Graham, the CEO; Henry, the CTO; James, the COO; and Ben, the BDM. This team is instrumental in driving significant changes in warehouse operations.
The genesis of Priority Integrated Systems
The partnership between Graham and Henry is a compelling story of complementary expertise coming together to create a leading force in warehouse automation.
Graham’s 30-year background in warehouse operations, combined with Henry’s expertise in technology and warehouse design, established the foundation for Priority Integrated Systems.
“Henry brought cutting-edge autonomous mobile automation technology to Australia, and I was immediately excited by its potential,” says Graham. This synergy ignited their journey, propelling them to the forefront of the industry when they implemented Australia’s first eCommerce AMR deployment for Australia Post.
Tailored solutions for diverse needs
Priority Integrated Systems offers a suite of automation technologies, including Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS), and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs). These technologies are meticulously integrated to address the unique needs of each client, delivering optimal supply chain solutions.
“We ensure that the technology we offer is the right fit for each customer,” explains Graham. “For instance, a customer handling large, bulky products requires a different solution than one dealing with small parts. Our approach is to tailor the technology to improve the customer’s operations in terms of safety, service, people engagement, and cost.”
“You can even see this within a individual customers business” said Graham. “If you take Coca-Cola for example, AMR Goods-To-Person would not be an effective solution for their palletised beverage products. However, it was extremely effective for picking small parts for their vending machine maintenance operations.”
James emphasises we focus on understanding the customers business in detail, using data analytics and process mapping. Our approach is to understand the business as well as the client does.
“This allows us to develop a solution that addresses the underlying problems, not just the symptoms. By customising different elements like workstations and storage configurations, we create an optimal solution for each client,” says James.
Global excellence, local adaptation
Priority Integrated Systems prides itself on being brand agnostic, by sourcing the best products globally to bring to its clients in Australia and New Zealand. Henry’s role is pivotal in this aspect, ensuring they are not locked into one particular type of technology allowing the best solution to be provided.
“This flexibility allows us to integrate solutions end-to-end, from goods inwards to goods out, covering every type of material handling,”
says Graham.
Priority Integrated Systems’ commitment to understanding the local market is evident.
“When AMR vendors first entered the Australian market, they were pushing solutions based on their experience in Europe, Asia, and the US. We made sure all our solutions could directly handle Australian sized pallets, which was unique” explained James.
The Test and Training Centre: de-risking and innovating
The Test and Training Centre (TTC) is a cornerstone of Priority Integrated Systems’ strategy, serving as a hub for de-risking deployments and showcasing technology to customers.
“The TTC allows us to bring new technology into the Australian market by first deploying, testing, and making necessary adaptations on our site,” explains James. “This way, we can push boundaries and innovate without impacting our customers’ operations.”
The TTC also facilitates pre-deployment testing of customer software, interfaces, and hardware, significantly de-risking projects and preventing negatively impacting customers operations.
“For the Munro Footwear Group project we completed system integration testing, user acceptance testing, and team member training at our fully deployed Test and Training Centre (TTC) concurrently with their new warehouse being built, which allowed for an earlier go-live date than would otherwise be possible,” adds James.
Real-world success stories
The Priority team’s prowess is demonstrated in its successful deployments across various warehouse environments. For the Munro Footwear Group, it managed the largest AMR deployment in the Southern Hemisphere, synchronising installation with ongoing construction.
“Our project management and communication skills were crucial in ensuring a successful outcome, even while sharing the site with other contractors,” explains James.
In brownfield operations, Priority Integrated Systems’ focus is on minimising disruption to existing processes. “We progressively build and integrate systems, allowing the customer’s business to continue with minimal impact,” notes James.
This approach was exemplified in its work with Monde Nissin, where the team implemented a dual-temperature solution for chilled and ambient goods, addressing issues like condensation and order consolidation.
Addressing key warehouse challenges
Priority Integrated Systems tackles several key challenges in warehouse operations, including inbound flows, high volumes of returns, increased customer expectations, and challenges hiring and retaining quality team members.
“In manual warehouses, people spend circa 60 percent of their time walking to locations,” says Graham. “Our goods-to-person systems eliminate this travel, significantly boosting efficiency.”
Returns processing, often a costly and time-consuming activity, is streamlined through directed put-away systems that create returns orders and bring locations to the operator, increasing efficiency from as low as 20 lines per hour in manual systems to 150 lines per hour with automation. Team member shortages are addressed by making processes intuitive and easy, reducing training times to just hours.
“The feedback from our customers is that new hires are productive sooner and make fewer errors,” says James.
“Our automation systems not only enhance operational efficiency but also make warehousing roles more appealing,” adds Henry. “Employees are excited to work with new technology, which aids in recruitment and retention.”
A customer-centric and innovative approach
Priority Integrated Systems’ success lies in its customer-centric philosophy and innovative mindset.
“We strive to understand the customer’s problem first, rather than forcing a technology to fit,” explains Ben. “This approach, combined with our supply-agnostic strategy, ensures we solve the customer’s challenges effectively.”
“We help the client improve their process first, then automate, as opposed to the traditional approach of automating existing and potentially inefficient processes,” says James. “We believe in getting the process right first.”
“For many of our customers, they picked their bulk and small goods separately, then consolidated to order at packing or despatched separately. To reduce double handling and save on shipping costs, we have been able to design an automated solution that allowed for picking of both large and small SKUs simultaneously.”
Priority Integrated Systems is not just about deploying cutting-edge technology; it’s about transforming warehouse operations through tailored, innovative solutions that address the unique challenges of each client.
With a deep understanding of the local market and a commitment to continuous improvement, Priority Integrated Systems is setting new benchmarks in the industry.
As Graham and his team continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible, the future of warehouse automation in Australia looks exceedingly bright.
For more information on Priority Integrated Systems, click here.