SET-listed logistics company JWD InfoLogistics announced plans to open three new warehouses for robotic cold storage.
The move is set to increase storage capacity, enhance speed and accuracy, reduce electricity usage, and mitigate labour shortages. Artificial intelligence (AI) and various innovative technologies are in the pipeline to create a smart warehouse provider.
The three storage buildings in the Saraburi, Samut Sakhon and Bang Na areas are expected to come online in the third and fourth quarters of this year, providing a total area of 17,000 square metres, or 40,000 pallets, pushing the grand total to 38,000 sq m, or 86,000 pallets.
Charvanin Bunditkitsada, JWD chief executive and chairman of the executive committee, said his company is determined to become the leading robotic warehousing operator.
"If we consider the size of the service area for storing goods, it's fair to say that JWD is the leading provider of robotic warehousing services," said Mr Charvanin.
"We want to increase our storage capabilities, address labour shortage issues, and reduce accidents involving forklifts. That's why we brought in computer-controlled robotic technologies, which have been designed and jointly developed with supply chain operators, to provide superior storage capabilities compared to traditional warehouses and better serve customers."
The company began introducing robotic technologies at its cold storage site in Samut Sakhon in 2019. The technologies have expanded to encompass cold storage operations and DataSafe document warehousing.
JWD operates robotic cold storage in three warehouses covering a total area of 21,000 sq m, equivalent to 46,000 pallets. It is also the first company in Thailand to provide robotic document storage warehousing.
In addition, a robotic warehouse for document storage in the Suwinthawong area of Chachoengsao province, covering an area of 5,000 sq m, or about 745,000 boxes, has opened for business.
Mr Charvanin said robotic warehousing employs an automated storage and retrieval system. This means that goods can be moved automatically and on tracks to deliver them to cranes, which then place them on shelves.
The firm plans to continue developing warehouse robotics to create smart warehouses by adopting AI and other innovative technologies for various processes, in addition to goods storage.
Boosting service efficiency and reducing costs aside, JWD also adopts technologies that promote environmental and social sustainability.
The firm has installed solar panels on warehouse rooftops and wastewater treatment systems at its facilities, and introduced electric forklifts in its warehouses. It said it is also committed to promoting green logistics by developing seamless transportation across land, rail and sea.