Automation equipment solutions that drastically optimize 3PL and FC/DC shipping operations.
Third-party logistics providers (3PLs), distribution centers, and shippers face a highly demanding operational environment: rapidly changing customer needs, SKU proliferation, same-day/next-day expectations, variable case dimensions/types, and cost pressures on labor, transport, and real estate. The need to deliver fast, accurate, and flexible fulfillment amid a large and complex inventory offer significant opportunities for MHE automation integration.
- Remove slow manual ops and reduce reliance related to staffing
- Improve accuracy and reduce returns or costly shipping errors
- Support omnichannel fulfillment (B2B, B2C, eCommerce)
- Ability to handle pallets, polybags, cases, totes, and other package types
- Achieve better facility space utilization and continuous flow
- Provide real-time visibility, diagnostics, and agility
- Boost profits with quick system ROI, fast order throughput, and reduced labor overhead
The current struggles of the 3PL, distribution & fulfillment industry
Challenge | Impact | Automation Solution |
|---|---|---|
Labor constraints & turnover | High costs of recruiting, training, and managing staff | Automates repetitive or strenuous tasks, removes need for manual labor |
SKU proliferation & variable order types | Increased complexity in picking, sorting, and staging | Dynamic routing, sortation, and handling solutions adapt to changing SKUs |
Mixed-mode order fulfillment (parcel, case, pallet) | Manual movement and bottlenecks increase error rates | Integrated systems can route items across modes seamlessly |
Congestion & bottlenecks at docks / staging areas | Delays, inefficiencies and processing confusion | Conveyor lines, AGVs/AMRs, sortation automation streamline flow and reduce waste |
Inaccurate or delayed order processing | Customer dissatisfaction, returns, chargebacks | Integrated WCS/WMS, accurate order fullfillment/GTP, and proper scan/print/apply operations |
Underused vertical space or a cluttered warehouse floor | Underutilized space resulting in slow ops or a need to spend on additional warehouse space | AS/RS, mezzanines, hanging conveyors, vertical shuttles and more help maximize cubic space |
These challenges are especially acute when serving multiple clients with varying product types and processing needs. The ideal conveyor or automation system setup must be modular, scalable, and adaptable, so changes in order patterns or clients can be adjusted without significant disruption to daily ops.
Conveyor & Sortation Equipment
Conveyors remain fundamental in 3PL ops, moving items efficiently through pick, sort, and shipping zones. Sorters typically are the core of the automation system, rapidly scanning and directing parcels to outbound lanes. Many automation systems can be dropped into an existing system, or engineered into an overall conveyor network (as opposed to a standalone and disparate unit).
Zero-pressure accumulation, diverters, buffer zones, and scanning stations optimize routing and prevent jams. For small parcels, modular belt and roller systems work alongside tilt trays or cross-belt sorters to direct items to zones or outbound lanes.
Crossdocking is a common method of immediately receiving, distributing, processing, and then shipping incoming orders without storing inventory.
Pallet Handling Equipment
Pallet roller and chain conveyors, pallet transfer cars, turntables, and build/break/singulate automation keep pallets flowing between docks, staging, and storage, reducing reliance on forklifts and manual handling.
Robotic arms (with grippers or vacuum tooling) can handle cases or cartons for order building. For full or mixed pallets, robotic palletizers arrange layers based on order specs or destination. Depalletizers automate inbound pallet breakdown, inducting cases onto conveyor flows.
Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) & AGVs
AMRs/AGVs transport totes, carts, or pallets autonomously among receiving, storage, pick zones, and shipping docks. They reduce labor burden and improve flow flexibility. They are ideal in facilities with complex routing, varied GTP operations, non-conveyables, or slow-moving slotting operations.
Automated Storage Retrieval Systems (AS/RS)
In high-density, high-throughput operations, AS/RS systems (shuttle, mini-load, unit-load) store and retrieve pallets or totes with minimal human intervention. Integration with conveyors allows seamless storage and retrieval operations to continue flowing with processing operations.
Goods-to-Person (GTP) Systems
Goods-to-Person systems eliminate walking and searching by bringing stored inventory directly to the operator. Totes or trays are automatically retrieved and delivered to ergonomic pick stations via shuttles, lifts, or conveyors. This setup shortens pick paths, increases throughput, and improves accuracy. GTP systems are ideal for high-SKU 3PLs that manage diverse client inventories with rapid order turnaround.
Picking Systems
Picking automation improves speed and accuracy across order fulfillment processes. Technologies such as pick-to-light, voice-directed picking, and robotic piece-picking arms guide operators or perform picks autonomously. Integrated scanning and verification reduce errors, while conveyor or AMR-assisted movement ensures efficient replenishment. These systems help 3PLs handle fluctuating order volumes and SKU variety with consistency and reduced labor dependency.
Order Fulfillment Automation
Order fulfillment systems coordinate picked goods into complete, labeled, and ready-to-ship orders. Automated or manned sortation, packing, and labeling stations streamline the final stages of processing. Integration with WMS/WCS software provides real-time visibility into order status, inventory, and carrier routing. For 3PLs, this ensures fast, accurate shipments across multiple clients, improving SLA performance and reducing handling time per order.
See a Century 3PL system in action
Making it All Come Together
Investing in automation is not a plug-and-play undertaking. Century completes significant planning to understand your facility, the product handled, goals and objectives, ROI, budget, demand forecasting, future installations, barriers or sources of waste, and many more factors before engineering begins.
Once those key insights are captured, Century engineers will design preliminary system layout drawings with automation equipment recommendations that best fit.
- Initial Connection & System Criteria
- Site Visits, Measurements, & Documentation
- Initial Layout Drawings & Solution Recommendations
- Automation System Proposal & Approvals
- Equipment Manufacturing & Delivery
- Permits, Approvals, & Preparation for Install
- On-site Mechanical & Electrical Equipment Install
- Controls & Logic Wiring, Testing, & Validation
- Training & System Go-Live
- System Support, Fine-Tuning, & Equipment Maintenance Service
Contact Century
Let’s Talk Automation for Your Distribution Operation
3PL, distribution centers and fulfillment centers are under constant pressure to adapt faster, deliver better, and expand profitability. Strategic automation can offer that competitive edge. Century engineers assemble the puzzle that is your automation system in a cost-minded yet efficiency-guided manner. Our goal is to provide the most optimal system for you, not sell the most expensive or overperforming one.
Contact us to explore how we can transform your operation with automation
