October 24, 2023
MWI Animal Health UK Announces Integration of Locus Robotics Collaborative Robots in Stoke-on-Trent Distribution Centre
CASTLE CARY, Somerset (24 October 2023) – MWI Animal Health UK, part of Cencora (formerly AmerisourceBergen) and a leading distributor of animal health products, as well as innovative technologies and solutions for veterinary practices, today announced the successful integration of Locus Robotics collaborative robots (LocusBots) in its distribution centre in Stoke-on-Trent, UK. This is the latest in a series of technological investments at the centre that are designed to streamline operations and improve efficiency. Balancing simplicity with scalability, this automation further strengthens MWI Animal Health UK’s position as a market-leader in using technology to enhance efficiencies to power healthy futures for all animals.
First opened in 2017, the Stoke-on-Trent distribution centre highlights the ongoing investment by MWI Animal Health UK to elevate the quality, efficiency and continuity of its operations. In 2022, the centre unveiled an automated packing system, created by Sparck Technologies, which helped to improve speed and efficiency while reducing errors. Integrating LocusBots represents the culmination of nearly two years of planning — building on the automation improvements already in place.
“The introduction of LocusBots complements the work of our team members at the Stoke-on-Trent distribution center to enhance our operating process, performance and accuracy,” said Emma Hunt, MWI Animal Health UK Country Manager. “We are excited to pioneer the use of industry-leading technology in our operations, ensuring we continue to deliver quality to manufacturers and customers alike, and we are grateful to the team for the planning and execution which made this transition possible, improving the efficiency of our operations and delivering the highest level of service for our customers. This demonstrates that, as MWI Animal Health UK’s operations expand, the LocusBots add the flexibility to seamlessly meet increased demand.”
Working alongside the current distribution centre management system and employees, the LocusBots integrate into an end-to-end system that is designed to meet current fulfillment needs, with the capacity to expand whenever necessary. Designed to ergonomically navigate the warehouse, the LocusBots balance mobility with co-bearing and support the work of MWI Animal Health UK’s valued team members by lightening their physical burdens, reducing fatigue and improving engagement and retention. Significantly, the introduction of LocusBots to the fulfillment process will also lessen inaccuracies and errors, ensuring a continued high level of quality control and compliance.
“This is only the beginning of what we feel we can achieve with LocusBots. We see a future where, working together with our skilled team, we can achieve even higher levels of service for our customers,” said Nick Smart, MWI Animal Health International’s Senior Director of Strategic Operations. “This marks a significant step forward for our distribution centre, and for our customers.”
For more information about how MWI Animal Health helps achieve healthier futures for all types of animals, visit: www.mwiah.co.uk