Automated material handling solutions provider Dematic opened a warehouse automation showcase at its American headquarters in Grand Rapids, Mich., this month. The nearly 40,000 square-foot Solutions Center is a fully functional fulfillment center that brings together automation, robotics, software, and lifecycle services, such as remote support and modernization upgrades, into one connected environment—showing how integrated solutions work together in real-world operations, the company said Wednesday.
The center offers live demonstrations of end-to-end workflows featuring autonomous mobile robots, goods-to-person systems, robotic piece picking, palletizing, and warehouse management software operating in a simulated warehouse setting.
Dematic invested nearly $50 million in the facility, which is the first of its kind in the company’s 11-location U.S. network. A grand opening event on July 15 brought together customers, community leaders, strategic partners, and employees for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tours of the facility.
“Customers need greater confidence that their technology investments will deliver results. The Dematic Solutions Center was designed to help them evaluate integrated solutions, visualize what’s possible for their operations, and make more informed decisions,” Mike Larsson, Dematic president and Kion executive board member, said in a statement announcing the opening. “This facility marks an important milestone for both Dematic and Kion, creating a global destination where customers can explore the technologies shaping the future of supply chain automation.”
Dematic is part of logistics, warehouse automation, and industrial truck manufacturer Kion Group.
In conjunction with the grand opening, Dematic announced a $150,000 donation to the nonprofit For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) to support STEM education and workforce development initiatives. Over the past seven years, Dematic has contributed nearly $500,000 to FIRST through support for local robotics teams, regional competitions, and student scholarships.
Dematic employs nearly 1,500 people in Michigan and more than 4,000 people across the United States. The Dematic Solutions Center will also support workforce development efforts by helping students, educators, and future innovators explore how automation technologies are shaping the future of supply chains and global commerce, the company also said.
