Barbara Ryan (BR): I noticed that you participated at Multimodal 2023 as Bowe Intralogistics. Why was that?

Paul Ward (PW): Multimodal is one of the leading freight and logistics exhibitions in the UK, and we’ve seen a significant surge of interest in automation solutions as the industry prepares for ongoing evolution in operating practices. Participating in Multimodal allows us to connect with high-value customers and provides us with a great source of leads and opportunities in this dynamic market.

BR: How long has the Bowe Group been in business and how long have you been the Managing Director of Bowe UK?

PW: Bowe Group has an illustrious history since its formation in 1945. Today, it stands as a leading international provider of intralogistics automation solutions for warehousing, freight inbound and outbound. I joined Bowe Group at the beginning of 2022, and it has been an exciting time for the development of AMR and robotics technology applied to the freight, palletising and warehousing industry.

BR: What experience did you have in the freight sector when you joined Bowe Group?

PW: I came from a manufacturing, machine tool, and engineering background, so I had relatively little experience in the freight sector. However, I quickly realized that the Intralogistics industry faced similar challenges to those the manufacturing industry encountered years ago, such as rising labour costs, scarcity of skilled workers and labour-intensive manual processes. This insight drove my belief in the massive potential for automation technology adoption in the UK’s warehousing and logistics, including freight and pallet movement. The exciting part is that we have already developed solutions for loading/unloading, tracking, and digitizing processes, which can save our customers significant costs and enhance productivity.

BR: What are your short-term and long-term objectives for the company/group?

PW: Since our relatively recent entry into the Intralogistics market in the UK in 2016, we have witnessed exponential growth in our installed base of automation projects. Moving forward, our aim is to further increase our market share in the rapidly expanding automation sector. We aspire to become a full-service and integration provider for automation solutions, covering conveyors, AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots), and robotics to meet the diverse needs of our clients.

BR: What do you see as the biggest challenges faced by the logistics industry today?

PW: As mentioned earlier, rising costs and productivity concerns are the primary challenges not just for the logistics industry but for the broader UK economy. Labour scarcity and escalating recruitment and retention costs, coupled with complexities in paperwork and movement of goods, are making it imperative for the industry to seek innovative solutions. Automation emerges as the key to addressing these challenges effectively.

BR: How will Bowe address and meet these challenges?

PW: Automation is our ultimate solution to tackle the labour challenges in the logistics industry. By implementing automation technology, we can free up capacity and allow skilled employees to focus on value-added tasks. Whether it’s moving pallets, using auto labelling systems, implementing automated track and trace processes, or utilizing warehouse management systems that fully digitize the logistics process, Bowe Group aims to transform the industry’s productivity landscape through advanced automation solutions.

BR: What is an AMR, and how can it be used in the freight and logistics industry for the movement of carts and pallets?

PW: An AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot) is a self-guided robot designed for efficient cart and pallet movement within the freight and logistics industry without requiring human intervention. These robots play a crucial role in enhancing warehouse automation and streamlining material handling processes. Compared to manual pallet moving with fork lift trucks, AMRs offer numerous advantages, including increased safety, higher flexibility, reduced labour costs, and improved productivity. Their autonomous navigation capabilities and adaptability to changing warehouse layouts make them indispensable assets in the logistics ecosystem.

The Bowe Group is a key enabler of the transformation of the UK and Ireland’s logistics landscape by providing cutting-edge automation, software, and robotics solutions. With a long-standing history of engineering excellence, Bowe Group has embraced the challenges faced by logistics today and has set its sights on driving the automation revolution to increase productivity, reduce labour costs, and optimize the movement of goods in and out of warehouses. As the logistics industry continues to evolve, Bowe Group remains committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation and transforming the way goods are handled, making them a leading force in the intralogistics automation sector.

www.bowe.com