In 2023, global retail e-commerce sales reached an estimated $5.8 trillion, according to German research firm Statista. This number is expected to grow by 39% in the coming years. To keep up with that growth, Australian online retailer Booktopia chose automation from Locus Robotics.
Locus has partnered with Booktopia to enhance its customer processes at its new order-fulfillment center in South Strathfield in Sydney. The companies said this collaboration will help Booktopia optimize fulfillment processing, reduce handling time, and provide faster delivery to customers.
“This partnership reflects Booktopia’s innovative, forward-looking view of robotics and automation technology,” stated Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus Robotics.
“Booktopia is uniquely positioned to optimize its fulfillment processes and seamlessly scale for growth using our powerful AMR [autonomous mobile robots],” he said. “We are thrilled to partner with a leader in Australian e-commerce as they push boundaries through fulfillment automation.”
AMRs to increase Booktopia distribution speed
Locus Robotics said that Booktopia is one of the first companies in Australia to use its AMRs. The partners claimed that this marks a milestone in the country’s e-commerce landscape.
Locus added that its AMRs have begun navigating Booktopia’s warehouse floors, collaborating with human workers to ensure timely and precise order processing.
The online bookseller said the collaboration demonstrates its commitment to investing in state-of-the-art systems across its Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) operations. Booktopia said the automation also solidifies its role as a leader in Australia’s e-commerce and logistics landscape.
“Our partnership with Locus provides the technology that enables us to take a significant step forward with our customer-fulfillment operations and support our overarching commitment to delivering a first-class experience for customers looking to buy books and gifts,” said David Nenke, CEO of Booktopia.
“The Locus team shares our dedication to operational excellence through their cutting-edge capabilities and desire to put the customer first,” he said. “Thanks to technology like this, we have been able to deliver an even better service for our customers, including through the busy festive retail period at the end of 2023.”
Booktopia plans to use Locus’ robots and software to increase efficiency, accuracy, and speed within its new distribution center. The company said it hopes to enhance its existing capabilities while also meeting the ever-increasing demands of the online retail landscape. It has also worked with HAI Robotics.
Locus Robotics marks more milestones
Founded in 2014, Locus Robotics provides AMRs that collaborate with human pickers to increase warehouse efficiency. The Wilmington, Mass-based company serves the retail, healthcare, manufacturing, and third-party logistics (3PL) industries and offers a robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) model.
Locus has continued to rack up milestones this year. It recently announced that its LocusBot AMRs have surpassed 500 million picks for DHL Supply Chain, a global leader in contract logistics. According to Locus, the 500 millionth pick occurred on May 18, 2024 at DHL’s facility in Toledo, Spain. A LocusBot helped retrieve a consumer home goods product.