Honeywell has opened a new research and development center at its advanced technology facility in Brno, a city in the Czech Republic, to help warehouse and logistics companies across Europe enhance their supply chains and strengthen the accuracy, efficiency and throughput of packages.
The state-of-the-art facility will be used by Honeywell’s engineers to develop next-generation warehouse solutions including intelligent conveyor systems, robotics, automatic storage and retrieval systems, sorting systems, palletisers and advanced picking technologies controlled by voice and light commands.
The facility will also enable Honeywell’s regional customer base to experience and train on these technologies for the first time in Europe.
Ivo Veverka, senior research and development manager, Honeywell Warehouse Automation, says: “Across Europe there is significant demand for fast, highly accurate deliveries, driven by online buying behaviors and a post-pandemic boom.
“But while consumers now want next- and even same-day deliveries, getting a package from A – the point of order, to B – the doorstep, in less than 24 hours requires a hugely complex and advanced supply chain.
“Automation technology is the key that can unlock the growth potential for Europe’s logistics sector. Through our new lab, we can test and demonstrate these solutions to our customers here in Europe for the first time.”
The 6,000 sq m lab, roughly the size of a soccer field, is located at the Honeywell Technology Solutions campus in Brno.
At this campus, more than 1,000 of Honeywell’s scientists and engineers are currently working on innovation that addresses critical challenges in many of Europe’s key sectors – from logistics to aviation to industrial safety.
In a market where delivery speed and accuracy is critical for competitive advantage, sixty of the top 100 global retailers and 50 of the top 100 e-commerce retailers already rely on automated material handling solutions from Honeywell.
The new facility makes it easier for European customers to see the value of Honeywell’s technologies for their own regional supply chains.
Honeywell will open the new facility in two stages:
- Stage 1, opened recently, includes advanced control software and two demonstration lines that include conveyors and a sorting system which will show customers how goods can be moved by computer quickly and accurately around a warehouse.
- Stage 2 will include Honeywell’s next generation loop sortation technology and advanced robotics capable of fulfilling high speed sortation with various package conditions using Honeywell machine and control technology.
Customer trainings will take place for installation and commissioning to build their expertise on Honeywell’s solutions.
