DHL Supply Chain and Locus Robotics today announced the deployment of fully integrated LocusBots in Australia in what they said is “a first for the Asia-Pacific region.” They also said the LocusONE warehouse automation platform meets the complex quality-assurance profiles and regulations of medical device customers Cardinal Health and Terumo.
“At DHL Supply Chain Australia, we are leading the industry in automation research and development to create truly scalable, efficient, and effective solutions for our customers,” said Steve Thompsett, CEO of DHL Supply Chain Australia & New Zealand. “It’s important for us to innovate and to consistently optimize our customers’ supply chains.”
DHL Supply Chain said in a release that it is growing its Australian workforce and is providing continued development opportunities for employees. The division of Deutsche Post DHL said its strategy is to continue investing in innovative systems for medical device, cold chain, pharmaceutical, and consumer health customers.
Robots, data benefit healthcare supply chains
The LocusBots are designed to assist human workers and help reduce the time spent maneuvering pushcarts on warehouses. The autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) can reduce physical strain on employees and increase picking efficiency, said Locus and DHL.
The assisted-picking robots display images of goods to be picked, calculate optimal navigation routes, and reduce required training time. LocusONE, a data science-driven platform for enterprise-wide AMR deployments, provides value by transforming complex information into actionable insights, said Locus.
The automated system is GAMP 5 (Good Automated Manufacturing Practice)-validated and is certified for medical and pharmaceutical distribution. DHL said it “further cements DHL’s position as the market leader in life sciences and healthcare supply chains in Australia.”
Cardinal Health, a global manufacturer and distributor of medical products, uses DHL for supply chain and logistics for its customers in Australia.
“We’re glad to see DHL investing in automation and building capacity to be more efficient in the future,” stated Jane Crowe, managing director of Cardinal Health. “Cardinal Health has led the way as early adopters of Locus Robotics in healthcare in North America, and it’s fantastic to see investment in the same technology in Australia.”
“Automation drives efficiency, improves employee safety, and increases picking and packing accuracy,” she said. “I look forward to DHL realizing similar benefits to its operations, because it will also benefit our customers.”
Jeff Soo, managing director of Terumo, added: “Investment in technology for the medical sector is moving forward. DHL's investment in automation and digitalization is crucial for Terumo Australia, as it enables us to respond faster to increasing supply requirements, aligning with rising demand. We’re pleased to see the enhancements in productivity and capacity that this solution brings.”
DHL and Locus continue global growth together
DHL Supply Chain is the largest customer of Locus Robotics worldwide. This expansion builds on the partnership that began in 2017 in North America.
The deployment is part of the largest investment in robotics and automation it has made in the Asia-Pacific region, said DHL, with 1,000 robots to be deployed across several sectors by 2025.
“We are thrilled to expand our global partnership with DHL Supply Chain into the region,” said Rick Faulk, CEO of Wilmington, Mass.-based Locus Robotics.
“This collaboration represents a significant step towards enhancing capacity, optimizing operational processes, and elevating DHL’s customer experiences,” he said. “Together, we are paving the way for a more intelligent, agile, and sustainable supply chain future.”
DHL said it now has robots in all key geographies—North America, Latin America, Europe, the U.K., and Asia-Pacific—and it plans to deploy up to 5,000 bots in the coming years.
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