A solution to just about any challenge

Over the past 10 years, the editorial team at Modern has worked hard to plan theme issues that dive deeper into the state of the modern lift truck; explore the rising importance of packaging; and track the ever-present and constantly evolving world of robotics. For each of those issues, we devote roughly 90% of the coverage to the theme.

However, it’s months like this that highlight the true breadth of our coverage here at Modern—an issue that reminds us that you can find a solution to just about any challenge.

We kick off with a look at how vertical lift modules (VLMs) are reducing travel and speeding goods in Van Meter’s DC; we explain why robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) is starting to catch on; we remind readers that reverse logistics can no longer be ignored; we put tuggers, carts and casters in the spotlight; and we even sing the praises of the old-school conventional warehouse.

Starting on page 18, executive editor Bob Trebilcock’s journey inside Van Meter’s 300,000-square-foot DC is a reminder that there are a lot of tools to choose from in the automation tool kit. In fact, the Iowa-based distributor of electrical and automation supplies has been on a seven-year journey with VLMs that have delivered significant savings in space and improvements in productivity.

“First, in terms of space, the VLMs enabled the company to significantly grow its business without building a new distribution center,” says Trebilcock. “Second, the journey has allowed Van Meter to meet increased customer service level demands and improve accuracy. We don’t often see VLMs outside of production environments, but in the right application, they play an important role.”

While VLMs are being put to work in new roles, we’re also seeing the evolution of innovative licensing and delivery models making it easier for operations to explore some of the new robotics tools we’ve been covering.

As senior editor Roberto Michel reports (page 26), like the established software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model we’ve become accustomed to, RaaS bundles the costs of running a robotics solution into a regular fee and opens up robotics to a wider base of users—making it much easier to scale up or down as needed.

“While RaaS is most closely associated with mobile robots, it’s clear that RaaS-like, customizable leasing options are here for larger fixed automation systems as well, as long as they hold proven market value,” says Michel. “You won’t be moving a big AS/RS solution from one site to another like you can with mobile robots under RaaS, but you can move the investment in larger systems into the operational expense bucket.”

And if there’s an area where we need more solutions, it’s reverse logistics. Editor at large Gary Forger reports that, fortunately, solutions range from manual to highly automated. And he offers four options this month (page 34).

“According to the National Retail Federation’s December 2022 Consumer Returns Survey, retail sales in 2022 hit $4.95 trillion,” says Forger. “Total returns were 16.5%, or roughly $816 billion. Returns are not going way, and your reverse logistics strategy can no longer be swept under the rug. It’s time to take control.”