DHL Supply Chain has expanded its global partnership with Locus Robotics, a provider of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), to roll out approximately 5,000 AMRs across its worldwide network of warehouses and distribution centres, as part of its vision of scalability and digital transformation in its supply chain processes.
The expanded fleet of Locus AMRs will provide DHL Supply Chain with advanced automation technology to optimize its supply chain operations, and improve worker productivity, order accuracy, speed, and efficiency.
The robots will be deployed across DHL Supply Chain’s global network spanning more than 220 countries and territories, further enhancing its capabilities in e-commerce fulfilment, retail replenishment, and pharmaceutical and healthcare logistics.
“Cutting-edge technology”
Oscar de Bok, Chief Executive Officer at DHL Supply Chain, said: “The flexibility and scalability of the Locus solution has been instrumental in helping us meet the evolving demands of the e-commerce landscape and leveraging cutting-edge technology to optimize our operations and deliver an even better experience for our customers.”
“Locus is helping DHL rapidly transform operations through a workforce empowered with the right technology at the right time, to deliver goods where they need to at the speed our modern markets demand,” added Sally Miller, Global Digital Transformation Officer, DHL Supply Chain. “Locus is a critical partner for us as we digitalize our warehouses, distribution and fulfilment centres to efficiently meet increasing order volumes, labour shortages, and rising consumer expectations.”
LocusONE solution
DHL has now surpassed more than 250 million units picked using the LocusONE solution across its global sites. The deployment of the new LocusBots is expected to be fully integrated into DHL Supply Chain’s operations by the end of the year.
LocusONE, which was officially introduced in March this year, is a data science-driven warehouse automation platform that orchestrates large fleets of multiple robot form factors in very large warehouses.
With LocusONE, LocusBots engage in a diverse array of tasks, including piece picking and putaway, case picking and putaway, replenishment, pallet building, routine routes, point-to-point transport, counting, and more, within a single warehouse. The data science behind the scenes optimises the mix of tasks throughout the day to achieve optimal warehouse productivity.
“Poised for further growth”
Speaking about the expanded DHL partnership, Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus Robotics, said: “We are thrilled to be working in an expanded capacity with DHL Supply Chain to bring our industry-leading robotics technology to their global network. As the robotics industry continues to consolidate, Locus Robotics has emerged as the clear leader in the market, and we are poised for further significant growth.”
To help it achieve this growth in the warehouse automation space, in November last year Locus raised US$117 million in Series F funding and announced new board members. The funding round brought Locus Robotics’ valuation close to US$2 billion.
Locus Robotics’ powerful and intelligent AMRs operate collaboratively with human workers to dramatically improve product movement and productivity 2-3X, according to the firm. Supporting more than 100+ brands around the world, including CEVA Logistics, DHL, Geodis, Ryder, Verst Logistics, Radial, and others, and deployed at 250+ sites globally, Locus Robotics enables retailers, 3PLs and specialty warehouses to efficiently meet and exceed the increasingly complex and demanding requirements of today’s fulfilment environments.
