Finished Goods

The challenge: Manual handling and its impact on productivity 

For companies across industries, the final step in the production process—moving finished goods to the shipping dock—often presents significant challenges. Manual processes, including forklifts, pallet jacks, and carts, are not only slow and inefficient but also subject to human error and accidents. Here are some of the common challenges companies face with manual handling of finished goods: 

Labor Shortages: In many sectors, there simply aren’t enough workers to handle the movement of goods, particularly during peak production periods. This leads to delays in getting finished goods to the warehouse or shipping dock, which can severely disrupt your supply chain. 

Bottlenecks and Delays: Manual handling is slow, and as production volumes increase, it becomes a bottleneck that hampers the overall flow of goods. Workers often need to wait for equipment like forklifts to become available, which reduces productivity and efficiency. 

Safety Concerns: Forklifts and manual carts are frequently involved in workplace accidents, especially in high-traffic areas where finished goods are moved. These accidents not only cause injury but can also damage products and lead to costly downtime. 

Inconsistent Productivity: Human-operated systems are subject to fatigue, mistakes, and variances in performance. This inconsistency can disrupt workflows and make it difficult to meet demand during peak periods. 

The result? Increased costs, missed deadlines, and frustrated customers. The inefficiencies in moving finished goods from production to shipping can have a significant impact on your business’s bottom line. 

The solution: Automating finished goods handling with MiR’s AMRs 

Autonomous mobile robots from MiR offer a modern, scalable solution to the challenges of manual handling. Designed for dynamic environments like warehouses and production floors, MiR AMRs can be programmed to transport finished goods from production lines to staging areas or directly to the shipping dock without human intervention. 

MiR’s AMRs provide a cost-effective, scalable solution for automating the flow of finished goods, helping companies reduce labor costs, increase throughput, and create a safer work environment. These robots can autonomously navigate through busy warehouse spaces, avoiding obstacles and adapting to changing layouts, ensuring that your finished goods are moved efficiently and safely. 

Key Benefits of MiR AMRs in Finished Goods Handling 

Increased Efficiency and Throughput 

By automating the transportation of finished goods, MiR’s AMRs can significantly reduce the time and labor required to move products from the production line to the shipping dock. Instead of waiting for forklifts or manual carts to become available, your goods can be continuously moved, ensuring faster, more efficient processes. 

• Continuous Operation: MiR’s robots can operate 24/7, meaning your finished goods are constantly on the move, even during night shifts or when staffing is limited. 

• Reduced Downtime: By eliminating bottlenecks caused by manual handling, AMRs keep your production and shipping operations flowing smoothly. 

Enhanced Safety 

In environments where forklifts and other heavy equipment are used to transport goods, safety is a constant concern. AMRs from MiR are equipped with advanced sensors and navigation systems that allow them to move safely through busy areas, avoiding collisions with workers or other equipment. This greatly reduces the risk of workplace accidents and product damage. 

• 360-Degree Obstacle Detection: MiR’s robots are equipped with safety systems that allow them to detect and avoid obstacles, ensuring they operate safely in high-traffic environments. 

• Minimized Human Interaction: By automating repetitive tasks, AMRs reduce the need for human workers to manually handle heavy goods, thereby decreasing the risk of injury. 

Scalability for Growing Operations 

As your business grows, so does the volume of finished goods that need to be transported. MiR’s AMRs are designed to scale with your operations, allowing you to easily expand your fleet as production volumes increase. Whether you need one robot or an entire fleet, MiR offers solutions that can grow with your business. 

• Flexible Fleet Management: MiR’s fleet management software allows you to coordinate multiple robots, optimizing their routes and ensuring that your finished goods are always transported efficiently. 

• Easy to Reprogram and Redeploy: MiR robots are highly adaptable and can be quickly reprogrammed to handle new tasks or different routes, ensuring they continue to meet your evolving needs. 

Lower Operational Costs and Quick ROI 

By reducing labor requirements and improving operational efficiency, MiR’s AMRs help companies lower their overall operational costs. The robots operate autonomously, meaning there’s no need for dedicated operators, and they can be programmed to run continuously, reducing the need for overtime or additional staffing during peak periods. 

Many companies see a quick return on investment (ROI) after deploying MiR’s AMRs, as the cost savings from reduced labor and increased throughput quickly offset the initial investment.