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Warehouse Automation
SEC Storage helps UK businesses identify, justify, install and integrate the right warehouse automation solution, using real operational data to guide every decision.
Why Automate your warehouse?
Warehouse automation can solve issues UK warehouse professionals are struggling with across the UK by reducing labour dependency, increasing storage capacity, improving picking accuracy, and maintaining consistent throughput during regular and peak times.
The question many warehouse operators are facing is which type of automation will deliver the best operational and commercial return.
SEC Storage designs automation around the way your warehouse actually works. We consider your order profile, SKU velocity, available space, handling requirements, peak demand, labour model, and future growth plans before choosing a system.
Reduced operating costs
Warehouse automation significantly reduces labour, energy and error mitigation costs while boosting picking accuracy. It also makes 24/7 operations easier, with no requirements for breaks or shift changes.
Maximised warehouse space
Automation enhances warehouse space by optimising layouts and workflows through vertical and condensed storage, and precise inventory management utilising every cubic meter.
Boosted throughput
Automated systems maintain consistent output and efficiency levels at all volumes. This gives you confidence to handle more on a day-to-day basis, and assurance that performance won't drop at peak times.
Which Systems Can Be Automated?
- Picking And Packing
- Transport
- AS/RS
- Software
Improve Picking And Packing
Order picking and packing often involve high error rates, slower picking speeds, increased walking times, and labour dependencies. Warehouse automation brings:
- Goods-to-Person systems bring goods to the operator, reducing walking time and increasing accuracy.
- Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) use sensors to move safely and optimise real-time routes.
- Automated packaging and cartonisation systems use order information to determine the best shipping packaging based on the product data.
This reduces picking errors, boosts speed, lowers packaging costs, and increases throughput with fewer manual touches.
Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)
Manual transport can create delays, inefficiencies, congestion, and safety risks. Warehouse automation solves these issues with:
- Conveyor systems, which continuously move goods to improve speed, flow, and throughput.
- Automated sortation to direct parcels or returns to the appropriate locations
- Cross-docking automation that moves goods from inbound docks to outbound vehicles.
This can boost productivity, improve safety, reduce manual movement, and create a scalable model during peak periods.
Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS)
Warehouses often face capacity limitations due to restricted space, rising costs, and inefficient layouts. AS/RS helps businesses store and retrieve goods more efficiently through:
- Automated storage and retrieval, where robotic shuttles, lifts, or cranes retrieve goods.
- High-density storage to better use vertical space and increase storage capacity.
- Improved inventory control, with system-directed stock movement that supports greater accuracy, traceability, and quality control
- Reduced product handling, helping to limit damage, particularly for high-value, fragile, or sensitive goods.
Thus increasing storage capacity, reducing handling errors and speeding up retrieval to improve warehouses’ space utilisation.
Software
Smart warehouse software automates inventory replenishment, reducing stockouts and overstocking through:
- Automated Inventory tracking and cycle counting for automated orders.
- When items reach a marked level, the system automatically triggers an order request and flags it for approval.
This prevents over-ordering, lost inventory, or last-minute emergencies.
How SEC’s D.I.D.O. AI Helped Our Client Double Warehouse Utilisation
An electrical distributor came to SEC with a common challenge: too many SKUs, too little space, and growing fulfilment pressure. Our D.I.D.O platform designed a high-density, robotic system that unlocked up to 40% cube utilisation, nearly double that of traditional shelving
The data-driven design not only met current operational needs but was also built for future growth. As a result, the client more than doubled capacity within the same footprint, supporting expansion and contributing to their B-Corp certification.
Tailored Automations, Measurable ROI
Every warehouse operates differently, with its layout, constraints and strategic goals. That’s why SEC delivers tailored automation solutions, designed by our engineers and data specialists to align with your specific operational challenges and growth roadmap.
SEC Group has the team, tools, and technology to deliver data-led, result-driven solutions proven to maximise your ROI.
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Awards & accreditations for this service
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CILT Supply Chain Innovation Winner 2025
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UKMHA Customer Excellence Award Finalist 2025
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UKMHA Operational Efficiency Finalist 2025
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Customer Service Award – Supply Chain Excellence Awards 2024
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UKWA Young Employee of the Year Winner 2023
learn moreHow we can help your industry
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Automotive -
Building Products -
eCommerce -
Fashion -
Food & Beverages -
Manufacturing
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Pharmaceutical -
Ports & Harbours -
Retail -
Warehousing & Logistics (3PL) -
Wholesale & Distribution
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Automotive
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Building Products
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eCommerce
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Fashion
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Food & Beverages
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Manufacturing
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Pharmaceutical
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Ports & Harbours
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Retail
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Warehousing & Logistics (3PL)
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Wholesale & Distribution
Automotive
From bulk storage to small parts, having an optimised warehouse storage solution will ensure your operations are efficiency and flexible to changing customer demands and supply chain challenges.
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Building Products
Adaptable warehouse storage solutions keep our customers agile and optimised for a wide range of small, medium and over-sized products. Discover some of the technologies we use to achieve high levels of efficiency.
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eCommerce
eCommerce relies on efficient and streamlined order processing for fast fulfilment to meet the challenges of today’s online demands. Discover a host of technologies that can make this happen.
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Fashion
A huge rise in online purchasing means both order fulfilment and returns processes must be as efficient as possible. Discover the latest technology innovations we use to help our fashion retail customers.
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Food & Beverages
The Food & Beverage sector has seen a huge increase in the demand for online purchasing as well as more efficient storage solutions due to stock holding. Discover the latest technology innovations we use to help our customers stay fully optimised and agile.
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Manufacturing
Agility is key for the manufacturing sector. Adapting to changing consumer demands and an uncertain supply chain means warehouse storage systems need to deliver on efficiency and space optimisation.
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Pharmaceutical
The Pharmaceutical industry relies on accurate picking, rapid fulfilment and short delivery times. Find out some of the technology innovations we use to help our customer reach their goals.
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Ports & Harbours
A crucial line in the supply chain calls for accurate and fast offload, storage and onward distribution with optimised warehouse storage capacity and efficiency of stock movement. Learn about the latest innovations we use to help our customers.
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Retail
It’s all about efficiency. Retailers must operate streamlined processes with optimised storage capacity to manage customer demands & overcome supply chain challenges. Discover the latest technology innovations to help.
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Warehousing & Logistics (3PL)
3PLs rely on optimised storage solutions to deliver the speed, accuracy and flexibility for customers’ fulfilment requirements. Find out how we help 3PLs with a range of technologies and innovations.
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Wholesale & Distribution
With the growing trend for online purchasing, integrating intelligent warehouse design and innovative technologies can deliver efficiency and agility. Find out the latest innovations.
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Harry Watts
Gary Kirk
Thomas Clarke
Adrian Wilcox
Allen Burgess
Dhinay Chohan
Related insights
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Read MoreWarehouse Automation FAQs
<p>A quick look at some common questions around warehouse automation.</p>
Warehouse automation utilises robotics, sensors and software to streamline key processes, including picking, packing, transport, storage and software. This results in faster processing, fewer errors, and lower operational costs.
Different Warehouse processes can benefit from automation, like receiving, returns, putaway, picking, sorting, replenishment, packaging, and shipping.
We offer comprehensive warehouse automation solutions that include both digital and physical automation. Digital automation involves technology like warehouse management systems to reduce manual processes, and physical automation uses equipment such as Autonomous Mobile Robotics (AMRs) and Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems (AS/RS)
Want to know more?
For assistance with understanding the potential of warehouse automation for your next project to guarantee optimal operational efficiency, contact one of our storage specialists today.
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Address:
Unit 11 The iO Centre,
Arlington Business Park,
Stevenage, Hertfordshire,
United Kingdom, SG1 2BD - Email: info@sec-group.co.uk
- Phone: 01438 731 990
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