In the interest of creating a more efficient warehouse, reducing cost, and improving speed, 74 percent of warehousing, manufacturing and distributing professionals surveyed last fall by the MHI Automation Alliance said they are planning or considering an automated project for their facility, according to MHI, Charlotte, N.C. Of these, 17 percent plan to invest in automated guided vehicles (AGVs), it adds.
Although originally used in manufacturing applications, AGVs now are playing a significant and growing role in supporting material movement in warehousing and distribution, says Mark Longacre, marketing manager for JBT Corp., Chalfont, Pa. Most commonly, AGVs are playing a role in storing and retrieving full pallets from block stacks on a warehouse floor or from high-density racks, he says.