In the global economy of 2025, customer expectations for fast, accurate, and affordable deliveries have reached an all-time high.
With the rapid growth of e-commerce, both giants and traditional retailers face relentless pressure to fulfill orders faster and more efficiently than ever before. To keep up with these increasing demands, businesses are turning to automation, revolutionizing their supply chains from warehouse storage to final delivery.
According to McKinsey, organizations that fully embrace supply chain automation can reduce operational costs by 15% to 30% and improve delivery times by 20% to 40%. This transformation is not exclusive to large corporations; small and mid-sized businesses are also adopting smarter storage and faster shipping technologies to maintain their competitive edge.
Notable Automation Providers In Warehouse Storage & Fulfillment
Here are three companies leveraging cutting-edge automation to enhance supply chain efficiency:
1. Boxman (Boxman Alpha Ltd)
- What they do: Originating in New Zealand in 1990, Boxman pioneered container-based self-storage and modifications, eventually launching the world’s first fully automated container storage system (BASS) located in Christchurch.
- Key innovation: BASS utilizes a custom overhead crane for dense stacking of containers, up to five high with minimal gaps, allowing 24/7 customer access via app or on-site retrieval.
- Scale & reach: Operating around 10 facilities across New Zealand, with recent expansion into Hawke’s Bay and Bay of Plenty.
2. Autostore AS
- Headquarters: Based in Nedre Vats, Norway, it is publicly traded on the Oslo Stock Exchange (AUTO.OL).
- Specialty: Autostore provides cube-based goods-to-person (GTP) robotic AS/RS systems. Their robots traverse dense grids of bins, delivering inventory to workstations, claiming up to 400% better storage density with minimal energy consumption.
- Global deployment: With over 1,600 systems serviced across 55+ countries, they cater to major clients like Best Buy, HelloFresh, DHL, and Lufthansa.
3. Attabotics Inc.
- Based in: Founded in 2016 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
- Unique tech: Their 3D-vertical warehouse, inspired by ant colonies, features autonomous Attabot robots that navigate a cube structure, optimizing space use by accessing any bin directly while achieving storage space savings of up to 85%.
- What sets it apart: Combines storage, picking, and packing into an integrated, scalable robotic fulfillment ecosystem.
Each of these providers showcases unique automation approaches—from Boxman’s container-based storage to Autostore’s dense-grid systems and Attabotics’ 3D modular solutions—illustrating the diverse and scalable technologies reshaping storage and shipping efficiency worldwide.
The Role of Automated Storage In Supply Chain Optimization
Clinical advancements in automated storage are prompting many businesses to reassess their inventory management strategies. The transition from traditional static storage methods to dynamic, automated solutions is increasingly common, playing a crucial role in optimizing warehouse space and boosting efficiency.
How Automated Storage Systems Work
Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS) deploy robotic shuttles, cranes, and conveyor belts to manage inventory with minimal human intervention. These systems can be tailored for various environments, ranging from pallet warehouses to intricate parts picking, and often integrate smoothly with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS).
By dynamically adjusting storage locations and automating replenishment, AS/RS maximize space efficiency and ensure that inventory is always positioned for optimal picking performance. Several systems also support temperature-controlled storage, which is particularly advantageous for the food, pharmaceuticals, and electronics industries.
Real-World Impact on Storage Efficiency
Companies implementing AS/RS tend to observe a 40% to 60% reduction in warehouse space, freeing up valuable real estate for additional inventory or new product lines. Furthermore, picking accuracy often increases to over 99%, significantly reducing costly errors and returns.
Kiwi Containers exemplifies this trend, offering advanced modular storage solutions that enable businesses to incorporate flexible, scalable container-based storage units, easily automated with conveyor and robotic systems. This modular approach is budget-friendly for companies wanting to rapidly scale operations without constructing entirely new facilities.
Advanced Robotics and Automated Picking Solutions
Once goods are efficiently stored, the challenge shifts to rapid and accurate picking and packing. This is where automation proves equally transformative.
Robotic Picking Arms
Modern robotic picking arms utilize advanced vision systems and AI-powered software, enabling them to identify and grasp individual products—even in disorganized bins or mixed SKU settings. These robots can execute thousands of picks per hour, significantly outpacing manual labor while maintaining a high degree of accuracy.
Mobile Robots in Warehouses
Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) are becoming increasingly prominent in warehouse operations. Equipped with LiDAR, cameras, and sophisticated mapping algorithms, these units navigate seamlessly, transporting goods from storage to packing stations with minimal human oversight. Their adaptability to dynamic warehouse layouts enhances safety and efficiency in operations alongside human workers.
Measurable Gains in Throughput
Facilities employing robotic picking and AMRs report throughput increases of 25% to 50%, while realizing significant improvements in order cycle times. Notably, these robotic systems allow for scaling during peak seasons without needing to rely on temporary labor, a key advantage in an industry experiencing labor shortages.
Smarter Shipping: Automation in Transportation and Last-Mile Delivery
While storage and picking automation streamline warehouse operations, achieving true supply chain transformation also requires enhanced shipping processes. Automation technologies are revolutionizing transportation planning, vehicle loading, and last-mile delivery.
Automated Transport Management Systems (TMS)
Advanced TMS platforms leverage AI and real-time data analytics to refine delivery routes, manage carrier selection, and ensure adherence to shipping regulations. Continuous analytics of factors like traffic patterns, fuel prices, and weather conditions empowers dynamic routing capabilities, enabling companies to adjust delivery routes mid-journey, thereby minimizing delays and optimizing truck utilization.
Robotics in Parcel Sorting and Loading
Utilizing automated parcel sortation systems equipped with conveyor belts, scanners, and robotic arms, businesses can sort packages by destination rapidly and precisely. These systems can process tens of thousands of parcels hourly with minimal human supervision. Further efficiency gains are achieved with automated loading solutions, including robotic trailer loaders, which pack parcels tightly and securely, lowering the risk of damage and facilitating faster unloading upon arrival.
Innovations in Last-Mile Delivery
The final segment of the delivery journey, known as the “last mile,” often presents significant complexities and costs. Automation is addressing these challenges through innovative solutions such as:
- Delivery drones that manage lightweight package transport to remote or congested locations.
- Autonomous delivery vehicles that traverse predefined urban routes.
- Smart parcel lockers, providing secure self-service collection points for consumers.
Businesses that adopt these technologies can achieve consistent delivery times, reduced operational costs, and enhanced customer satisfaction.