Global warehouse robotics provider Exotec® announced today that Lane Automotive, a global company that specializes in aftermarket racing and high-performance automotive parts and accessories, has successfully integrated Exotec's Skypod® system to automate its distribution operations in North America. The system, which was installed by Conveyco and Exotec, has been fully operational since December 19, 2023.
Lane Automotive has consistently been racing against carrier deadlines to fulfill time-sensitive customer orders, especially before special events and race/competition weekends. “The seasonal nature of our business generally sees its peaks between March and June, and prior to Exotec and Conveyco's complimentary automation solutions, this volume could stress our operational capacity,” said James MacEachern, COO, Lane Automotive. The company stocks over 100K specialty automotive parts from more than 660 brands in its Southwest Michigan facility, requiring a system that can efficiently and accurately fulfill multi-channel orders.
To address this challenge, Lane Automotive chose to deploy Exotec robotics to manage its inventory and improve the speed and accuracy of its pick, pack, and ship operations. The company deployed 62 robots, 5 picking stations, and 59,600 storage bins in its Southwest Michigan distribution center. With the Skypod system, Lane Automotive expects to increase throughput sixfold, deliver faster turnaround times, and provide an industry-leading customer experience.
Exotec's Skypod system is an automated goods-to-person solution that uses robots capable of reaching a height of 39 feet (12m) for high-density inventory storage. The system automates physically intensive tasks, reducing the order fulfillment time by driving efficiency throughout the warehouse.
“As a company that is passionate about our customers' success and the products we distribute, we had to identify the right goods-to-person robotics and integration partners that could easily integrate with our existing automation and distribution ecosystem to help transform our operations for years to come. Exotec and Conveyco not only delivered on this transformation, they were key partners in our distribution automation journey. With Exotec's Skypod system at the core of our operation, we were able to easily integrate additional best-in-class automation technologies to fully maximize the efficiency and throughput of the Skypod system.” - David Meadow, CIO, Lane Automotive.
“Our project with Lane Automotive showcases the immense potential of warehouse robotics in revolutionizing even the most challenging logistics operations swiftly and efficiently. Having Lane Automotive place its trust in our solutions is a significant endorsement and a testament to our ability to support their exceptional 60-year legacy of serving the racing community with unwavering dedication and excellence.” - Stanislas Normand, Managing Director of Exotec, North America
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