Noble launches industry's first AutoStore warehouse automation system

Autostore implementation by leading supplier and distributor of Plumbing, HVAC, Industrial, and Fire Protection products, is an industry first.

Noble, leading trade supplier in Ontario for Plumbing, HVAC, Industrial, and Fire Protection, has unveiled AutoStore, an innovative fully-automated warehouse solution operated by autonomous robots. This groundbreaking technology will redefine inventory management, order processing operations, and service excellence. Noble has achieved a significant industry milestone by being the first to implement AutoStore, developed and installed by Dematic, a renowned global supplier of integrated automated technology, software, and services. Through their collaboration with Dematic, Noble has successfully deployed this automated system at their Jane Street Branch in Concord, ON, where it is now fully operational.

The picking and fulfillment system at Noble’s Jane Street Branch has been strategically designed to optimize warehouse space and minimize inefficiencies. The utilization of automated robots, programmed to collect orders from thousands of storage bins, empowers AutoStore technology to revolutionize Noble’s warehouse operations. Key features include high-density storage, a scalable design, and swift and precise order fulfillment.

Contents

1 Noble: 21,000 SKUs in less than 5,000 square feet
2 Related Articles
- 2.1 AutoStore Launches Pay-Per-Pick Service Option to Address Fast-Growing Demand for Fulfillment Automation
- 2.2 AutoStore launches Pio to make best-in-class warehouse automation available to the SMB market

Noble: 21,000 SKUs in less than 5,000 square feet

Jim Anderson, General Manager at Noble, expressed the company’s dedication to customer success, stating, “Driven by our 30-year commitment to helping our customers succeed, AutoStore is faster, more accurate, and will help us offer a wider range of products to the trades.” He emphasized the exceptional capacity of AutoStore to accommodate an extensive inventory in a compact footprint, surpassing other market offerings. Noble has achieved a remarkable feat, with the ability to house 21,000 SKUs in less than 5,000 square feet, greatly enhancing the efficiency of inventory supply to clients.

Noble’s forthcoming e-commerce platform, combined with the implementation of AutoStore, will further streamline the picking and fulfillment process while ensuring energy efficiency. Moreover, the AutoStore grid can be easily expanded over time, accommodating additional bins and robots as the need for SKU and storage capacity grows. This scalability can be achieved with minimal disruption to business operations and a reduced impact on the environment.

Philip Wenger, Director of Technology at Noble, emphasized the integration with AutoStore as a testament to their commitment to innovation and providing exceptional service through real-time inventory management. He remarked, “It means we can get more products to our customers faster, and they’re going to be happier with the counter experience because of it.”

AutoStore is a fully-automated warehouse solution that utilizes autonomous robots to streamline inventory management and order fulfillment processes. Here’s a brief overview of how AutoStore works:

Grid System: The warehouse is equipped with a grid-like structure composed of stacks and bins. The bins contain products and are stacked on top of each other in a multi-level configuration.
Robots: Autonomous robots operate within the grid system. These robots are designed to navigate and move vertically and horizontally along the grid to access the bins.
Order Processing: When an order is received, the system identifies the location of the requested products within the grid. The robots receive instructions on which bins to access and collect the required items.
Robot Collaboration: The robots collaborate to efficiently move through the grid, optimizing their paths to minimize travel time and maximize efficiency. They can transport multiple bins simultaneously to fulfill multiple orders concurrently.
Storage and Retrieval: Once the robots reach the designated bins, they use a lifting mechanism to lift the bins from the stack and transport them to a designated order processing area.
Order Fulfillment: At the order processing area, human workers retrieve the products from the bins, package them, and prepare them for shipment.
Inventory Management: AutoStore keeps track of inventory levels in real-time, updating the system whenever items are picked or restocked. This ensures accurate inventory management and enables timely replenishment.
Scalability: The AutoStore grid system is designed to be scalable. Additional bins and robots can be added to the grid as needed to accommodate growing inventory and order volumes.

By leveraging autonomous robots and intelligent algorithms, AutoStore offers high-density storage, optimized order processing, and improved warehouse efficiency. This technology helps companies like Noble to achieve faster and more accurate order fulfillment, maximize space utilization, and enhance overall inventory management.

Source: Noble