Nagarkot Forwarders: Embracing Automation to Enhance Warehouse Operation
Nagarkot Forwarders is successfully implementing automation solutions to optimize warehouse operations. Despite challenges, their focus on training, change management, and maintenance has enabled a smooth transition.
“We continuously invest in comprehensive training programs for a smooth transition to automation and reinforce this training with daily stand-ups.”
Nisarg Agrawal - Chief Growth Officer, Nagarkot Forwarders
What progress has the company made in its operations in view of increasing automation in the warehouse sector?
We utilize handheld devices for data entry during put-away and picking processes, which reduces manual data entry for desktop WMS operators and allows for precise tracking of operational turnaround times (TAT), enabling sharper initiative design under our continuous improvement program. We also employ third-party machine learning algorithms and predictive analytics to optimize inventory management for our clients.

Overseas, our peers have adopted automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for material handling, which reduces manual labour and speeds up the transportation of goods.
However, the availability of affordable labour means that in India we are still some time away from implementing these advanced automations.

What are the challenges in implementing automation?

One major obstacle has been the initial cost and complexity of integrating new systems with the existing infrastructure. Another significant challenge is the need for continuous training and upskilling of staff to work with new technologies, as well as finding and training our own team to solve downtime issues. After-sales support is a key area of concern, as the automation equipment ecosystem remains nascent.
To address these challenges, we continuously invest in comprehensive training programs to ensure a smooth transition and conduct daily stand-ups to reinforce this training. We manage change by involving our teams right from the start of the planning process, ensuring their buy-in and valuable ground level inputs because they know the job better than we do. And so that there is a stronger sense of ownership. We have also established a robust preventive maintenance protocol and support system. These strategies have helped us navigate the complexities of automation implementation effectively.