DHL Supply Chain, the contract logistics division within the Deutsche Post DHL Group, has deployed autonomous mobile robots from Locus Robotics to two new fulfilment centres, at Canal Winchester and Lockbourne, Ohio, to support high-volume order fulfilment for global clothing retailer customer, Carhartt. The move is part of an expanded relationship between Locus Robotics and DHL Supply Chain.

DHL Supply Chain is implementing Locus’s autonomous mobile robot (AMR) technology to ensure its fulfilment centre operations can meet rapidly increasing volumes and seasonal peaks while also helping to control operating and labour costs. Locus robots are designed to optimise worker productivity in the order fulfilment process by decreasing walking time and improving worker ergonomics and workplace quality.

“Locus’s growing relationship with DHL Supply Chain further emphasises the increasing demand for warehouse automation to support fast-growing retail brands such as Carhartt,” said Rick Faulk, CEO, Locus Robotics. “Locus’s flexibility, seamless scalability, and fast ROI has been a proven approach that enables DHL to consistently meet and exceed their customers’ expectations, especially as we head into the peak season.”

“Implementing Locus has quickly proven to be an ideal choice to deliver high productivity, letting us fulfil orders at a record pace,” said Tony Gariety, Vice President Distribution Operations, Carhartt. “Locus’s ease of use and fast training has also helped us with recruiting and retaining employees and seasonal workers. So, all the way around, there are some real competitive advantages.”

Since 2017, DHL Supply Chain North America and Locus Robotics have partnered to support piece picking order fulfilment in warehouses for a range of retail and healthcare brands. Locus robots navigate autonomously through DHL warehouses and are able to collaborate with staff to improve order picking productivity and throughput efficiency. According to Locus, they can be rapidly deployed as demand changes to support a range of picking strategies and workflows.

“As the supply chain and logistics industry has rapidly transformed, we have developed an accelerated digitisation programme, which aims to identify, nurture and deploy innovative technology solutions at scale,” said Tim Dolcich, Director of Engineering, DHL Supply Chain. Locus has been a trusted partner in providing solutions that challenge how we do business and improve customer outcomes.”