522: Tackling Labor Challenges in the Warehouse with Geek+
In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin sits down with Nicole Allison, Regional Sales Manager at Geek+. They dive into the intricacies of warehouse automation, focusing on how Geek+ addresses some of the most pressing challenges in the industry today. Geek+ is a global leader in autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and goods-to-person technology. Nicole shares insights on how their innovative solutions optimize operations and improve worker ergonomics and satisfaction in the ever-evolving warehouse environment.
Leveraging Automation for Labor Challenges in the Warehouse
One of the most significant hurdles in the warehouse industry is labor management—finding, retaining, and ensuring the safety of employees. As Nicole highlights, “Labor is the largest component of any customer’s business, accounting for about 70 percent of their total operating costs.” Consequently, Geek+ tackles this challenge head-on by creating solutions that reduce the physical demands on workers.
Furthermore, automation helps make jobs more ergonomic and more appealing. Nicole adds, “Geek+ is fortunate to have the largest portfolio of goods-to-persons technology on the market.” These systems allow workers to remain stationary while products are brought to them, significantly boosting productivity and worker satisfaction.
Comprehensive Solutions for Diverse Warehouse Needs
Geek+ stands out in the market with its extensive portfolio of robots tailored to various warehouse tasks. From shelves-to-person to totes-to-person and pallets-to-person systems, Geek+ can automate a wide range of operations within a warehouse. Nicole emphasized, “We refer to ourselves as an end-to-end solution provider because we can handle multiple applications in the warehouse.” Consequently, this flexibility allows Geek+ to address labor challenges across different departments. They can streamline operations and maximize efficiency through a unified software platform that controls all their robots.
The Next Chapter in Warehouse Automation
As automation becomes more commonplace, Geek+ plans to expand its footprint in the Americas. Additionally, Nicole notes that their focus is also on enhancing downstream operations. This strategy ensures their solutions are fast and highly adaptable to the needs of their clients. “Our software continues to optimize based on several factors, such as correlation and weight, to ensure that warehouses are running at their best efficiency,” she explained. They also plan to launch an innovation center in Atlanta this fall.
Key Takeaways
- Labor costs account for about 70% of warehouse operating expenses, making automation a critical solution.
- Geek+ provides end-to-end solutions that integrate seamlessly across various warehouse operations.
- Geek+ has the largest portfolio of goods-to-person technology on the market.
Listen to the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments.
Guest Information
To learn more about Nicole Allison and Geek+, visit their website, follow their LinkedIn, or check out their YouTube channel.
For more information about labor challenges in the warehouse, check out the podcasts below.
490: Addressing Warehousing Labor Challenges with Inviscid Consulting
447: Warehouse Labor Management with Takt
488: Taking a Collaborative Approach with Rocrich AGV Solutions
