Dexion is aiming to reshape how warehouses move, store, and manage goods through two breakthrough automation technologies: the Smart Roller Conveyor and the MDS Automated Storage and Retrieval System.
Designed with flexibility, scalability, and simplicity in mind, these solutions demonstrate how the company is reimagining automation to meet modern supply chain demands.
Smarter flow, lower energy
At the heart of Dexion’s automation portfolio is the Smart Roller Conveyor, a system engineered to deliver smooth, efficient, and reliable material flow. Leveraging Motorised Drive Rollers (MDR) regulated by Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and powered by a 24V DC setup, the system ensures seamless product handling from picking to packing.
Each conveyor section can act independently, either transporting goods or accumulating products, which allows operators to tailor the flow based on operational requirements. The modular design makes it easy to scale or reconfigure as workflows evolve, while pre-wired assemblies and factory-installed power and data cabling ensure fast installation with minimal disruption.
The system incorporates ConveyLinx Ai2 control cards, which enable automatic configuration and Zero Pressure Accumulation (ZPA) without requiring additional PLCs. This reduces engineering time and simplifies system integration, while still allowing PLCs to perform more advanced control functions when needed.
The benefits extend to sustainability. Because rollers in each conveyor zone activate only when required – typically between 10 and 50 per cent of operating time – energy consumption can be cut by up to 70 per cent. In addition, the low-voltage architecture not only reduces power usage but also supports safer, quieter operation – suitable for high-density facilities and energy-conscious operations.
From a design perspective, the conveyor offers a clean, modular aesthetic built around side frames and drive-band-linked rollers. This modularity allows operators to isolate or expand sections independently, making maintenance straightforward and enabling fast adaptation to peak periods or layout changes.
“We are aligning with market demands by offering smarter and very specific solutions to create value for our customers,” says Damian Cross, Group Managing Director of Dexion Asia Pacific. “These are specific automation solutions that we do very well in.”
Rethink ASRS: mobility over machinery
While the Smart Roller Conveyor focuses on horizontal flow, Dexion’s new MDS ASRS reimagines vertical storage and retrieval. Standing for Multi-Directional Shuttle, the MDS represents a shift away from the crane-dependent systems that have dominated high-bay automation for decades.
Since 2005, Dexion has delivered large-scale ASRS projects for global brands across Asia Pacific, typically using crane technology to manage pallet storage up to 40 metres high. Yet as these systems grew in size and complexity, so too did their cost, maintenance, and operational risk. A single crane fault could bring an entire aisle – and with it, productivity – to a halt.
The MDS ASRS addresses these challenges by replacing fixed-rail cranes with autonomous, multi-directional shuttles that move freely across aisles within compact racking. Vertical movement is handled by the integrated Smart Lifter, which transfers pallets and shuttles between levels without the need for external cranes or conveyors. The 16-wheel shuttle design enables efficient 4-way travel within each tier, delivering high-density storage and flexible throughput.
This multi-directional design not only increases flexibility but also eliminates single points of failure.
“We’ve built our reputation on delivering robust and reliable storage to our customers,” explains Damian. “This way, our automated technologies are easy to adopt, understand, live with, and maintain.”
Another defining feature of the MDS is its software, which Dexion has developed entirely in-house.
The solutions from Dexion Automation are reliable and simple enough that it does not require long-term contracts for maintenance and servicing,” says Damian. “Our products have less parts to fix and come with remote monitoring and diagnostics.”
The MDS’s modular framework allows warehouses to start small and scale up as storage requirements grow, making it suitable for operators seeking a phased automation approach. With fewer moving parts than crane systems, maintenance needs are reduced and operating costs lowered, while performance and system uptime are improved.
To support continuous operation, Dexion provides 24/7 remote monitoring with real-time diagnostics and proactive troubleshooting.
“Customers will experience a tightly integrated, high-performance, and secure ecosystem that maximises the efficiency of the warehouse automation system while offering adaptability and reliability,” Damian explains.
Demonstration and global reach
Although the MDS ASRS will see its first live installation in March 2026, Dexion has already built demo units available for viewing in Sydney, Auckland, and at its Smart Hub in Malaysia. These sites allow customers to see both the Smart Roller Conveyor and MDS ASRS in action, interact with engineers, and explore how the technologies integrate into existing warehouse operations.
According to Damian, this hands-on experience is proving invaluable.
“When customers see the system moving – how compact it is, how quietly it runs, and how easily the software interfaces – they understand the real potential,”
he says.
Ultimately, Dexion’s tagline for the MDS ASRS – “Rethink ASRS” – encapsulates its broader philosophy: automation doesn’t need to be complex to be powerful.
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