Tuesday, May 30, 2017

John Hayes with Vecna Logistics Explains Why Large AGV Companies Ignore Smaller Distribution Centers

According to John Hayes, Pros to Know thought-leader and Vice President for Vecna Logistics, companies are investing in AGVs to improve plant-floor efficiency and reduce operating cost.  Due to the high cost of entry, automated guided vehicles (AGVs) were only found in warehouses, automotive assembly plants, and other operations with large amounts of floor space. With the help of Vecna Logistics (http://logistics.vecna.com) recent advancements have made the machines more appealing to small- and mid-sized manufacturers in a wide variety of industries. 

Daniel Theobald, Founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Vecna Logistics commented, “We are delighted to have John Hayes on the Vecna Logistics team.  His depth of knowledge and the breadth and quality of his relationships are unmatched. He brings great value to our customers with his practical, no-hype approach to meeting their needs. Providing rapid ROI with Vecna's industry leading robotics and automation technology is central to his strategy. However, even more so, his focus on meeting the needs of smaller organizations that have typically found advanced technology out of reach will allow him to have a broad impact on a previously under-served market.”

As the flexible technology is now more affordable and easier to use on assembly lines, many smaller manufacturers and single location distribution centers are deploying driverless carts, robotic parts bins, and autonomous tuggers. Manufacturing engineers have best-practice lean manufacturing solutions which are driving prices down making these solutions available to everyone.

Engineers can choose between tuggers that pull a string of carts or trailers in a train; unit load carriers that move subassemblies and work-in-process from one assembly station to another; forked pallet trucks that interface with pickup and drop off points on the plant floor; and automated guided carts (AGCs) that are smaller, cheaper, and easier to install than traditional AGVs. AGCs are popular for applications where lighter loads and flexibility are required.

Today’s AGVs are more advanced than what was available a decade ago. The machines are now faster, safer, easier to program, more precise and less expensive. According to Hayes, “Vecna Logistics is leading AGV development focusing on software and safety systems. Better throughput, productivity, and cost-effective technology are now available to even the smallest manufacturer or distributor who have been ignored for far too long.”

With e-commerce exploding and customer expectations on the rise, distribution and fulfillment centers as well as third party logistics (3PLs) providers need an innovative way to reduce costs and increase throughput. Vecna Logistics provides the complete range of low-infrastructure solutions to automate material handling needs. Case picking, each picking, goods-to-person, person-to-goods, robot-conveyor hybrid systems, Vecna Logistics has cost-effective solutions. All systems are safety certified to operate along-side people and can accommodate the operational model that achieves the best efficiency today with unmatched flexibility for tomorrow. Vecna Logistics provides scalable hybrid order-fulfillment solutions with a rapid ROI. Follow on Twitter @VecnaLogistics.

Media Contact
Company Name: Vecna
Contact Person: John Hayes
Email:Send Email
Phone: 617- 864-0636
Address:CAMBRIDGE CAMPUS 36 Cambridge Park Drive
City: Cambridge
State: Massachusetts
Country: United States
Website: https://www.vecna.com/