Joe Metcalfe @ L.A.C - Talks The Future

In your view, what does the outlook for the industry look like??

The outlook for the industry looks positive and there has been an upwards trajectory since the 2008 recession.? An ageing workforce in Europe, Brexit and the advancements in technology have all contributed to the increased uptake in warehouse automation. Further to this, the Covid pandemic seemed to pour rocket fuel on the industry as businesses altered supply chain strategies to cope with the surge of online demand or build new real estate in other territories to counter stock shortages.? Demand for warehouse automation has never been so high and the UK is certainly pushing the limits when it comes to new technology deployment.? The thing to watch is the labour market because warehouse automation is not something that is typically found in traditional education prospectuses. Many more skilled engineers are required and it's up to companies like ours to train and develop people so that we can satisfy demand. It’s an exciting time for the industry and for us at LAC as we push forward with a new strategy based on people & technology investment.?

Are you launching any new products/services in 2022???

Always! Engineering is in our blood so we can’t stop people from working on new ideas and our clients constantly demand that we push the boundaries.? We are always engaged in bespoke engineering and we are evolving our product range which will complement our partner relationships with ABB and Exotec.?

What sustainability initiatives will your business be developing in 2022??

This is a big challenge for the industry, but advancements are being made.? The emergence of AMR (autonomous mobile robots) seems to be shifting electricity supply and usage in a positive direction. Our partners ABB and Exotec are leading the charge with power reduction initiatives and technology is evolving quickly in this space.? New product range initiatives at LAC will utilise the latest power-saving hardware and we are also embarking on an electric car scheme with ambitious take-up targets.?

In the near future we are looking to build a bespoke manufacturing centre that will allow us to consolidate our existing real estate and reduce our overall carbon footprint.??

What key trends do you see shaping the industry over the next few years??

Advancements in technology are reducing the requirement for fixed infrastructure systems meaning that solutions are easier to conceive and implement.? Exotec for example have developed the world's first rack climbing AMR robot that delivers totes to pick stations reducing the need for fixed conveyor networks. We are also seeing increased enquiries for end-of-line robotics systems in the food manufacturing and logistics industries.? ABB are leading the charge on piece picking and stacking applications which are now being enhanced by AI (artificial intelligence) capabilities.?

Further to this, the post and parcel industry doesn’t seem to be letting up due to the growth of online activity.? We, therefore, continue to evolve solutions for clients and have developed some unique high-speed labelling and conveying technology that you can read about on our website.?

Why is exhibiting at IMHX important for your business in 2022??

We like meeting people! Customers, competitors, recruiters and anyone else who wants to attend and get behind this industry.? It’s a great place to network, share ideas and showcase our business.? It’s also a great brand awareness boost and we are taking the opportunity to show off our new brand refresh.?

We expect it to be a bumper year this year and we are excited to see the new technologies on display and show off our own capability.?If you are visiting IMHX please do come over and have a chat with us.