AutomationDirect is expanding its partnership with TGW Logistics. The supplier of automation components and industrial control products plans to further automate its warehouse with TGW’s FlashPick system.
In 2019, AutomationDirect worked with TGW Logistics to deploy mini-load and pallet-crane aisles for receiving and storage. As sales and SKU counts have grown, the Cumming, Ga.-based company wanted to add automation.
“TGW Logistics continues to prove themselves, not only with their technology, but [also] with their ability to develop automation solutions that fit our current needs and future growth,” stated Mark Hermann, logistics team captain at AutomationDirect.
FlashPick to join load aisles at AutomationDirect
As the partnership continues and expands, TGW Logistics will implement a FlashPick system for goods-to-person (G2P) order fulfillment. It will connect to the existing mini-load aisles being used for storage.
The deployment will include two Stingray shuttle aisles and four ergonomic PickCenter One workstations. The SKUs and order totes/cartons will arrive at the picking station properly sequenced, according to TGW.
After the picking process, items are automatically restored in the shuttle system, while the order totes or cartons are directed to the shipping area, the company explained.
In addition, TGW Logistics plans to expand AutomationDirect’s pallet inventory by installing another pallet-crane aisle and conveyor to support movement in and out of the area. It will build on the work done in 2019.
TGW said FlashPick and the pallet-crane aisle will enable AutomationDirect to meet increasing sales demand, handle future SKU growth, and maintain its two-day shipping promise — all within one eight-hour daily shift.
The partners will implement the automation alongside ongoing operations, and they said they expect it to go live in August 2026.
TGW continues orchestration, planning for expansion
TGW Logistics said the two-fold solution will not only optimize the distribution center’s fulfillment and pallet handling operations; it will also improve the facility’s footprint. This means there is room for future phases that could more than double the automation and throughput.
The WERX warehouse software from TGW is another key component of the setup. It will take over from existing systems, orchestrating the current automation in the building, as well as the new FlashPick, pallet crane, and conveyor.
Critically for AutomationDirect, WERX will manage cycle counts and generate and execute replenishment activities between the inbound mini-loads and order-fulfillment shuttles during non-picking hours. Its goal is to prevent potential delays or stoppages and optimizing picking time.
AutomationDirect said it has trusted TGW Logistics for warehouse robotics since 2013. Across multiple warehouses, the companies asserted that they have collaborated to automate various processes with an eye on future business needs.
Last week, TGW Logistics also reported that its turnover has surpassed $1.17 billion. The Marchtrenk, Austria-based company this year invested $58.9 million in research and development and is spending $109.1 million on a new headquarters.
