Geek+ Robots: Redefining Logistics for Allbirds and UPS Supply Chain Solutions

Record low employment levels, increased competition for warehouse workers and an increase in labor costs instigated in part by the global pandemic continue to plague the logistics industry. In fact, a recent report notes that supply chain leaders believe both the talent shortage and hiring and retaining qualified workers are their top supply chain challenges.

UPS Supply Chain Solutions, a global third-party logistics provider (3PL), wasn’t immune to the widespread staffing shortage in 2021. At the time, the entire logistics sector struggled with challenges such as supply chain disruptions and new warehouse processes that incorporated social distancing. These and other factors made it difficult to achieve maximum throughput during that year’s peak holiday season.

Facing warehouse staffing shortages and concerned about the impact of long hours on employee safety and morale, the Atlanta-based 3PL made finding a solution a top priority. In line with the UPS brand’s reputation as an innovator, UPS Supply Chain Solutions began exploring cuttingedge robotics for its distribution centers. With 100,000 units shipped that year, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) were just starting to gain ground as a solution to the warehouse worker shortage because they could be deployed quickly and affordably.