Körber worked with Locus Robotics to automate ISN

Automotive supplies wholesaler Integrated Supply Network has been expanding its distribution centres, dealing with staffing challenges and responding to an increase in small package shipments during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To improve efficiency, it turned to Körber, which worked with long-time strategic partner Locus Robotics to deploy 49 autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) in ISN's warehouses in Atlanta, Indianapolis, and Fresno, California.

The companies initially implemented the LocusBots in ISN's Atlanta location in just 90 days, and quickly noted improvements in picking quality, accuracy and speed, equating to a productivity increase of 266%.

ISN also significantly reduced travel for workers, freeing up time for them to carry out other critical tasks.

"With the AMRs, we have been able to significantly improve operations," says Theron Neese, chief supply chain officer at ISN. "Adoption of the AMRs has reduced physical stress of our workers, improving quality of work, and, as a result, has increased job satisfaction.

"Additionally, we are reinvesting cost savings achieved with the AMR integration into higher wages for our warehouse associates, further boosting retention," he notes.

Bill Ryan, CEO of software for North America at Körber Business Area Supply Chain, says: "The successful deployment at the Atlanta site has shown that K?rber's solution can be seamlessly integrated with existing system environments in a short amount of time, without disruption."

Following a successful Phase 1, ISN has launched AMRs at its Fresno site, with the deployment in Indianapolis to follow soon. The automotive tool and equipment distributor is also expanding its AMR usage to the put-away process to drive further efficiency improvements.