Automation is rapidly transforming the logistics sector, offering new levels of efficiency and flexibility. Depending on the specific needs of the business, automated technologies such as automated guided vehicles (AGVs), automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) and robotics, will help synchronise the movement of inventory in a warehouse, from receiving to picking and packing. In a series of interviews taken at Logiconomi 2025, we talk with executive leaders from viastore GROUP, Toyota Material Handling Europe and Boston Dynamics, exploring how automation is evolving and what the future holds for warehouses large or small.
Flexible automation for a Broader Market
Guillermo Albaladejo, VP Sales & Operations and Warehouse Automation at viastore GROUP, highlights a key shift in the industry: “Automation is more flexible nowadays, making it easier for smaller companies to adopt and creating potential for the redevelopment of brownfield sites. This scalability enlarges the addressable market and fuels growth in the industry.”
Such flexibility is crucial in today’s volatile economic environment. “Rather than investing in a very large system that is automated from end to end, companies are now adopting a step-by-step approach,” Guillermo explains, “This is what we call the automation journey—being agile and modifying systems as we go.”
This modular approach allows businesses to respond to changing market conditions and scale their operations incrementally. It also lowers the entry barrier for smaller companies that previously found automation out of reach, from a financial or operational standpoint.
Peter Carlsson, Director Operations at Toyota Material Handling Europe, also emphasises the importance of takt time, a crucial concept in lean manufacturing. By setting up even flows from internal customers such as production lines, you synchronise production with customer demand, minimising waste and optimising resource allocation.
“Connect the pace of internal logistics, feeding parts from the logistics warehouse to the production lines,” he advises. “A small tip is to feed the production lines at a regular pace. Set up the warehouse so that the logistics train will leave with a fixed takt time. The number of pallets can still be flexible. It’s a pull system where the train feeds the line at a fixed rhythm.”
Efficiency, resilience and sustainability
The benefits of automation go beyond productivity. “We’ve seen efficiency gains in throughput and warehouse densification, which allows for smaller real estate developments,” says Guillermo, “Automation also helps reduce exposure to staffing challenges and supports more sustainable business practices with highly energy-efficient systems.”
Peter Carlsson adds that one of the most significant improvements in efficiency comes from increased capacity. “Smooth operations, especially when it comes to internal transportation from zone to zone, eliminates waiting times and increases capacity with more pallets per drive,” he explains, “Higher capacity improves efficiency through a rise in the number produced without affecting headcount.”
In addition to reducing labour dependency, automation enhances operational resilience. By minimising reliance on manual labour, companies can better withstand workforce shortages and disruptions. Furthermore, energy-efficient systems contribute to lower carbon footprints, aligning with growing environmental regulations and corporate sustainability goals.
The untapped potential of medium-sized warehouses
Nicolas De Keijser, Sr Director of Sales at Boston Dynamics, points out that while large warehouses have embraced automation, many medium-sized facilities still rely heavily on manual processes. “There’s still plenty of scope for automation, especially with mobile case-handling robots,” he says, “These flexible robots can bring automation to places where traditional systems are too rigid or costly.”
“One of the benefits of mobile automation,” Nicolas adds, “is that you can bring the robot to the work, rather than bringing the work to the robot. That opens a whole new world of possibilities.”
The shift toward mobile and modular robotics is especially relevant for companies seeking to automate without overhauling their entire infrastructure. It enables faster deployment, means lower upfront investment and offers greater adaptability to evolving workflows.
Looking ahead: a robotic future
When asked about the next decade, Nicolas is optimistic: “Ten years from now, I think humanoid robots and advanced robotics will become commonplace. What we see today as early-stage innovation will be standard in logistics operations.”
As robotic technology matures, we can expect to see more intelligent, autonomous systems capable of handling complex tasks with minimal human intervention. This evolution will not only redefine warehouse operations but also reshape workforce roles, emphasising the need for upskilling and human-robot collaboration (HRC).
Enabling sustainable performance
Logiconomi is a communication platform, created by Toyota Material Handling Europe, to identify and understand challenges, trends and emerging technologies in the logistics industry. The aim is to support all players active in the logistics industry with insights and inspiration for improved logistics operations.
Discover more trends as we uncover more interviews in this blog series or in our latest trend report.
