Exotec's Skypod robots promise order picking 10 times faster at First Supply

Since the deployment, First Supply says it can deliver at scale the next morning for orders placed before a cut-off time in the late afternoon.

The company is a wholesaler of heating, ventilation and air conditioning supplies, plumbing, lighting and building materials. Its customers are contractors who need to keep their job sites moving.

Among the expected effects, the system is meant to multiply storage capacity by 4 without enlarging the shelving footprint, while keeping 30% of capacity in reserve to add equipment later.

Order picking is also expected to be 10 times faster than with manual methods.