The innovation to maximize your warehouse space

USA Clients driving change > Moffett Automation
 

Specialising in the design and manufacture of automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), Moffett Automation was established in 2017 by Sam Moffett. Based in County Monaghan, Ireland, the technical solutions firm aims to help businesses to improve logistics by optimising warehouse space and streamlining inventory management, a crucial requirement for businesses aiming for efficiency and reduced labour costs. 

With 90 staff, 36 which were taken on this year alone, the forward thinking company which helps businesses to streamline their logistics and supply chain with advanced automation, is expanding, not only in Ireland, but also in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Canada and the US. And its managing director says that the precision of its robotics is the reason behind its continuing success. 

“We do the design, manufacturing, installation and support of all the sites we have in over 20 live sites across the world,” he said. “Our unique selling point is our robot which can roam within the racks and structure of a building, offering a lot of scalability. If there is an issue on site with a piece of machinery, they (the robots) can all work around and talk to each other and if production speed needs to be increased, you can just add more robots. 

“Also, because we manufacture both the hardware and the software, it gives a lot of confidence to our clients who know that we can give them all the support they need.”

Global Solutions

Moffett says that his company provides technology for businesses of all sizes with five in both Ireland and the UK, three in the Benelux countries, one in the Middle East, one in Spain and one in both Canada and the US, with other possible Stateside deals in the pipeline.

Some of the companies the firm currently works with include Dixon Transport, C&M Cold Storage and Dew Valley Foods in Ireland, Diageo NI, Hilton Foods, Derry Refrigerated Transport (NI) and Axus Décor in the UK, Jacques Ijs, Saltoki, Total Packaging and Pandriks Bakery in Europe and Yaya Foods and Leclerc Foods across the Atlantic.

Dealing mainly with large scale warehouses, retail companies and manufacturing firms, their innovative technology not only helps clients to be more efficient, but is also cost effective.

Driving Efficiencies

“We help our clients to reduce costs and drive efficiencies in a number of ways,” he said. “Firstly, because we have temperature controlled warehousing and can double the capacity of a warehouse, so if a company normally gets 10,000 pallets in, we will be able to get 20,000 in and when there is more product in there, the temperature is regulated better as there are no people going in and radiating heat, so it is more efficient. Also, the doors into the warehouse are only the size of the pallet so there is a 40% energy saving on temperature control alone.

“On top of that, stock accuracy is 100% because there is no element of human error which can come from taking the wrong pallet or damaging a product. And there is another cost saving which comes with the opportunity of having a round the clock workforce without having to pay people to cover nightshifts or working outside basic hours.”

The company founder says that although there is an initial outlay which can be quite expensive, once the technology is installed, clients can make this back quite quickly. And there is no limit to future opportunities.

“There is a massive capital investment at the start, but it pays back in about three to five years,” he said. “And at this point, many will have doubled the opportunity of their existing warehouse. With regard to the future, there are many different avenues that we can go down with regard to technology and while we have seen some industries drop off, the likes of food, beverage and pharma are still going strong, so we're seeing a lot of opportunity in the US and the UK.

“We are the most advanced software company with our equipment on the market today, we are always developing what we're doing and soon will launch some complimentary pieces of equipment to make our USP even better.

“The sky's the limit when it comes to what the future might hold and there is great opportunity out there as the technology is working well and offers more scalability and comfort to the client all the time – so the future looks bright.”