Crate & Barrel, Saks Put Robots to Work in Warehouses to Save Energy

To save on energy costs in warehouse operations, retailers Crate & Barrel and Saks have turned to robots.

Crate & Barrel’s Tracy, Calif., distribution center purchased a Kiva robot system to automate its pick, pack and ship operations, according to a press release.

Each robot uses about the same electricity as a laptop, and they’re on only when doing actual work at the DC, which fulfills orders for stores in 13 western states, as well as mail order customers.

Another energy saving aspect is that in the robot zone, little to no lighting is needed, helping cut out more kilowatt hours.

Saks also is using robots in its warehouse, reports StorefrontBacktalk.

The retailer has about 700 robots in its fulfillment center in 70,000 square-foot warehouse in Aberdeen, Md., which handles e-commerce and phone orders.

Saks CIO Michael Rodgers said the system resulted in about a 50 percent rise in productivity, compared to having warehouse workers.