Automating logistics processes may seem complex, but most companies' flows and processes usually follow similar logics, both in warehouses and in production environments. Our approach allows the identification of common patterns in repetitive flows within potentially automatable companies. This is the Toyota Way: separating repetitive flows from each company's unique flows within processes.
AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) are the ideal solution for use in repetitive flows. Together with your company, we will identify the areas where automation could add the most value in a staged automation project. Once the flows to be automated have been identified, lean thinking will help us to eliminate muda, standardize processes and implement the automation project easily.
Let's take an in-depth look at this production environment to see which processes could be automated with AGVs and take the first step towards automation...
In the put-away area, pallets are transported from the inbound area (typically floor buffers) to a storage area, which is often a floor buffer or racking.
In production sites or warehouses there is always a need for replenishment of material such as pallets with parts that are taken to the production lines or picking areas that are restocked.
Where pallets are moved, there are often simple transportations from one specific station to another specific station. In distribution centres where pallets are directly transported from inbound to outbound this is called cross-docking.
In a warehouse or manufacturing site, there are always a lot of empty pallets as goods have been used or picked. Empty pallets are also needed to place picked items or finished goods from the production on.
Pallets with finished goods are picked up at a temporary storage or the wrappers close to production or picking areas, and dropped off at the outbound area, typically floor buffers or deep stacks, waiting to be loaded into lorries.
Pallet transport, storage in racking or on the floor or just-in-time delivery of goods, our Autopilots and Radioshuttle can take care of all the repetitive load handling in your warehouse. Learn more about the advantages of AGVs here.
Whether you are looking to increase your output, flexibility or resilience; our Logistics Solutions team will work with you in designing a full range of systems based on your data and needs. We will execute and commission turn-key projects and support your operation through our service network.
Our systems integration group specialises in state-of-the-art automation applications for order preparation, product sortation and high-density storage technologies. Controlled with modular Warehouse Execution Systems (WES), these are designed to optimise our customers’ material handling operations.
We work together with our sister company Vanderlande, the global market leader for value-added logistic process automation, to offer a range of fully automated solutions for airports, warehouses and the parcel industry.
In order to optimise efficiency and flexibility in your warehouse, Toyota offers different types of automation products and components. These will support you in your journey to automate material handling processes.
We have a dedicated automated handling technology demonstration centre at our Midlands business centre on the Meridian Business Park in Leicester.
Here you will be able to see our range of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and semi-automated Radioshuttle in action, as well as having the opportunity to discuss your automation requirements with our team of experts.
If you are interested in coming to visit us, please fill in our contact form below.
Discover the success stories of some of our customers and how Toyota has accompanied them on the road to automation.