Industrial automation for sustainable fashion and luxury logistics

When discussing sustainability in the context of logistics, it is easy to focus on last-mile delivery methods, where the use of electric vehicles could significantly reduce the overall CO2 produced to reach the end consumer.

However, there are many activities in the logistics chain, and more specifically in product handling within warehouses, that can be just as important in achieving effective environmental and social sustainability.

Industrial automation is the resource that intervenes in the handling of products, adding efficiency, reducing waste of resources, and optimizing workflow. This can lead to a lower environmental impact, as it reduces energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.

In the financial statements of large companies, the term ESG (Enterprise Social Governance) is more appropriately used, where sustainability takes on a broader connotation, also incorporating a focus on people. In this context, industrial automation makes it possible to reduce social impact by improving working conditions for employees: the use of advanced technologies such as automated hanging garment handling systems can reduce the physical effort required by warehouse workers, limiting the risk of accidents.

At the same time, industrial automation can also contribute to the economic sustainability of companies. By introducing advanced tools such as Autostore, it is possible to reduce the space required for goods storage and cut labor costs, improve the efficiency of production processes, and reduce management errors. This allows companies to improve their profit margins and invest in long-term sustainability initiatives.

In addition, the use of advanced product handling technologies can help reduce inventory management costs, for example through IoT and RFID technologies for the serialization and identification of individual items, optimizing stock levels and reducing waste of raw materials and finished products.

Industrial automation represents a great opportunity for companies operating in the fashion and luxury sector to improve their environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Advanced product handling technologies enable significant improvements in the management of handling activities within warehouses, promoting effective long-term sustainability.