How automation enhances jobs in the warehouse

Guest blog by MHI Member Cimcorp

Employee safety and well-being are essential in the fast-paced world of warehousing and distribution. However, traditional warehouse work comes with some major inherent safety risks. In facilities where order fulfillment operations depend on manual labor, employees spend their workdays performing physically demanding tasks, like lifting, stacking, and transporting heavy crates and containers. The work is repetitive, and strenuous, and can lead to significant short-term and long-term injuries. Fortunately, automation is changing the game.

Many of today’s warehouses and distribution centers (DCs) are now augmenting their workforce with modern automated order fulfillment solutions. Rather than eliminating jobs, these solutions help improve workplace safety and satisfaction for existing employees. Here are a few important benefits of a workforce enhanced by automation:

1. Reduced labor-intensive tasks

Repeatedly handling heavy loads puts immense strain on the human body, making the risk of injury particularly high for warehouse workers. In some industries, like fresh food and beverage distribution,  the work must be performed in chilly and cumbersome conditions. Instead, automation can take over all the physically demanding tasks of order fulfillment, from receiving, transporting, and storing goods to picking, packing, and shipping. This eliminates the need for employees to engage in physically demanding activities, significantly reducing the risk of injuries.

 2. Mitigate labor shortages

Warehouses and DCs across the world are facing ongoing labor shortages, putting even more stress on manual operations. To make up for gaps in the workforce, employees need to push themselves even harder to maintain productivity and meet customer demands.  Automated systems can bridge the gaps, running around the clock to handle repetitive tasks that would otherwise require extensive manual labor. By alleviating the reliance on human workers, warehouses can maintain continuous operations and minimize the impact of labor shortages on productivity.

3. Employee satisfaction and retention

In an automated facility, employees can move away from physically exhausting work toward roles that are safer, more engaging, and mentally stimulating. For example, workers can take on new positions supervising automated systems, performing maintenance, and analyzing performance data to continuously optimize operations. In these roles, workers will learn valuable technical skills and handle higher-level responsibilities, increasing overall job satisfaction. Plus, employees are more likely to stay in roles that offer opportunities for growth and development, which is a significant advantage in a competitive job market.

4. Future-proofed careers

Automation helps future-proof jobs by aligning them with the evolving needs of the industry. Employees who acquire expertise in automation technologies are better positioned for long-term career success. This alignment with technological advancements not only secures their current roles but also opens up new opportunities for career advancement in a rapidly changing job landscape.

Ultimately, an investment in automation is also an investment in the safety and well-being of employees. As warehouses and DCs transition from manual to automated operations, human workers can concentrate on more valuable activities like enhancing operations, technology, and processes — and do it all in a safe and engaging workplace environment.

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