Highline Warren is a leading distributor of aftermarket automotive products with more than 36,00 customers across North America. The company wanted to streamline the handling of over 4,000 SKUs, and it has collaborated with ForwardX Robotics Inc. to deploy mobile robots at its California warehouse.
Known for its next-day delivery promise, Highline Warren manages an extensive inventory of more than 45,000 products, including automotive fluids and maintenance supplies. The Memphis, Tenn.-based company operates a network of 27 distribution centers to process millions of orders annually.
Highline Warren has integrated 20 autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) from ForwardX Robotics. The partners asserted that the Flex 300-SCB deployment sets “a new standard for precision, efficiency, and scalability in the industry.”
Highline Warren optimizes order fulfillment
Highline Warren needed a state-of-the-art system to optimize every stage of the order-fulfillment process—from the induction of empty boxes to precise picking and autonomous drop-offs, according to ForwardX Robotics. It also wanted to significantly improve accuracy and reduce manual effort.
The fulfillment process begins at the induct station, where operators scan the barcodes of empty cardboard boxes and follow on-screen prompts to place them in designated spots on the Flex 300-SCBs. Once the boxes are loaded, the robots autonomously navigate to their assigned picking locations.
At each stop, real-time instructions on the AMR interface display the required SKU, quantity, and designated box. LED light strips on each shelf illuminate to guide operators, ensuring accurate and efficient placement of items.
After completing the tasks, operators confirm their progress on the AMR, which then autonomously returns to the drop-off point for packing and shipment preparation, explained ForwardX.
Flex 300-SCBs help meet e-commerce expectations
By deploying the Flex 300-SCB, Highline Warren said it has reduced physical strain on employees while enhancing operational productivity and accuracy. The distributor can now more easily handle increased order volumes during peak seasons, helping it meet e-commerce customer expectations for next-day deliveries and maintain its reputation as an industry leader.
“This collaboration represents a pivotal advancement in the logistics and fulfillment sector, demonstrating how automation can drive operational excellence, improve customer satisfaction, and set new benchmarks for the industry as a whole,” stated ForwardX Robotics.
Founded in 2016, ForwardX said it delivers “innovative end-to-end material handling solutions for warehousing and manufacturing facilities.” The company, which has offices in the U.S., Japan, Korea, and China, offers vision-guided AMRs and fleet management software to supply chain operations.
ForwardX said that it has more than 350 patents and that it has deployed over 3,000 AMRs in more than 150 facilities. The company was recognized with a 2022 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award for its 5G AMR deployment in TCL’s Huizhou factory.