Kentucky-headquartered distributor of digital identification solutions BlueStar has engaged French warehouse automation specialists Exotec to automate its distribution centres throughout Europe and the US.

The automation process has seen the installation of 20 Skypod robots in BlueStar’s warehouse, racking with 23,000 bins, three picking stations and one bin interface which BlueStar says has “significantly reduced the time between item retrievals and reduced warehouse traffic by 60%”. 

A new system was needed because of the growth of BlueStar has experienced since the opening of its EMEA distribution centre in the Netherlands in 2019.

“To meet increasing demand and customer expectations, the company decided to expand its infrastructure and optimise its processes by engaging Exotec to deliver the Skypod system in the warehouse,” BlueStar states. 

BlueStar EMEA chief operating officer Manel Baranera says the warehouse automation investment has “significantly enhanced our logistical capabilities, enabling us to process daily orders efficiently, regardless of their volume or complexity”.