Insights from Joe McGrath, Systems Development Lead & Host of The Automation Insider
The beverage distribution industry faces mounting challenges, from high-speed throughput demands to safety risks and space constraints. Hy-Tek Intralogistics is at the forefront of revolutionizing this sector with Goods-to-Person (GTP) robotic solutions, optimizing efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.
What Are Goods-to-Person Robotic Systems?
Goods-to-Person (GTP) robotics automate picking by retrieving and delivering products directly to workers. Unlike traditional picking methods, where workers navigate warehouse aisles, GTP systems bring the required items to a designated station, reducing unnecessary movement and increasing efficiency.
Want to learn more about GTP robotics? Check out this blog post to learn more.
Challenges in Beverage Distribution
Beverage distribution comes with unique operational challenges that make automation not only beneficial but necessary.
1. High-Speed Throughput Requirements
- Beverage distribution centers handle large case and pallet volumes with intense throughput demands.
- Facilities are often located in urban areas to minimize last-mile transportation, necessitating high-throughput density solutions.
- The volumetric flow rate of beverage products is exceptionally high, requiring rapid order fulfillment.
- In some cases, single bottle picking or “bottle picking” is an additional complexity that needs to be integrated seamlessly into the process flow.
2. Barcode Challenges
- Many beverage SKUs have hidden, hard-to-read, or missing barcodes, complicating automated tracking.
- Pure wine and spirits operations are typically the exception, as these products are usually packaged in cases and can have additional labels for tracking attached to the outside case. In contrast, beer and soda units are in customer or retail packages and we cannot be marred with additional stickers or labeling.
- Many automated systems depend on quick and accurate barcode scanning to identify, track and route products efficiently.
3. Safety Concerns
- Heavy lifting of cases throughout the day increases the risk of strains and sprains for workers.
- Walkie picking and forklift operations introduce safety hazards, including accidents and collisions.
- High beverage order volumes mean an increased number of powered industrial trucks and increased pick aisle congestion which raises the risk of forklift-related incidents.
- Glass bottle breakage and liquid spills pose additional operational hazards that can slow down productivity.
Key Benefits of GTP Robotics in Beverage Distribution
1. Enhanced Speed and Accuracy
GTP systems are designed for precision, retrieving exact products and delivering them to pickers or packers. This reduces errors and improves order accuracy, a critical factor in beverage distribution where mixed-SKU orders are common.
📊 According to Supply Chain Dive, automation solutions like GTP can improve order accuracy by up to 99%.
2. Optimized Space Utilization
In beverage distribution centers, full pallets are typically stored efficiently but picking areas—especially those for slower-moving SKUs—often lead to wasted space. GTP robotics optimize these pick faces by enabling more compact and organized storage layouts, reducing the footprint required for order fulfillment. By improving access to tail SKUs and streamlining the picking process, these systems help maximize space efficiency where it matters most.
3. Scalability for Demand Surges
Seasonal peaks in beverage sales—during summer months or holidays—can strain traditional picking systems as adding additional labor and training them appropriately is difficult. GTP robotics provide a scalable solution, allowing operations to flexibly adapt to fluctuating demand. In many cases this is accomplished by simply adding additional “robots” to the system.
4. Improved Workforce Efficiency
GTP robotics enhance efficiency by minimizing employee travel and overhead time for each pick cycle. Rather than reducing repetition, these systems concentrate human effort on the most valuable part of the process—precise picking and pallet-building—while automation handles material movement. By structuring work this way, facilities not only boost throughput but also create opportunities to improve ergonomics, reducing the risks associated with repetitive tasks and enhancing overall workplace safety.
5. Order Picking, Buffering, and Sequencing for Bottle Pick
- Bottles can be picked to order and stored (buffered) in the GTP system until needed.
- This separation allows bottle picking to be independent of case picking, reducing bottlenecks.
- Orders can be discharged—bottle pick and case picks—in the sequence that is most appropriate for trailer loading and pallet building.
6. Real-Time Inventory Visibility
Modern GTP systems integrate seamlessly with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), providing real-time insights into inventory levels, order statuses, and warehouse performance.
📊 Gartner reports that integrated robotics systems can provide up to 30% better visibility into supply chain operations.
The Future of Beverage Distribution with GTP Robotics
As beverage distribution evolves, GTP robotics will play a crucial role in increasing efficiency, improving safety, and meeting the growing demand for rapid order fulfillment. By addressing challenges such as high throughput needs, barcode inconsistencies, and labor-intensive processes, these systems offer a clear path to a more streamlined and resilient supply chain.
Hy-Tek Intralogistics continues to lead the way in implementing cutting-edge automation solutions tailored to the unique challenges of the beverage industry. From optimizing space utilization to enhancing worker safety, our experts provide tailored solutions that help businesses stay ahead of the competition.
Ready to Transform Your Beverage Distribution Operations?
Contact Hy-Tek Intralogistics today to explore how GTP robotics can optimize your facility and enhance efficiency. Whether you’re looking to improve order accuracy, scale operations for seasonal demand, or increase warehouse safety, our team has the expertise to help you succeed.
