We’re excited to announce a new addition to our podcast team, Paul Hamblin, who hosted our latest episode of Logistics Business Conversations. Paul and Gregg Collett from CHG Meridian delve into a transformative financial approach that is reshaping the logistics industry. As companies grapple with the rapid pace of technological advancement, traditional ownership models often fall short, tying up capital and limiting flexibility. Gregg Collett, with over 45 years of experience, shares how CHG Meridian’s usage-based finance solutions offer a compelling alternative.

This episode uncovers how these innovative leasing models allow businesses to upgrade, expand, or pivot their technology investments without the burdens of ownership. By shifting from capital expenditure to operational expenditure, companies can maintain cash flow, adapt to technological changes swiftly, and mitigate risks associated with asset obsolescence. Gregg provides real-world examples of how businesses, from small enterprises to large corporations, have successfully leveraged these financial strategies to enhance their operations.

Listeners will gain insights into avoiding common pitfalls in automation projects, such as neglecting crucial data insights or underestimating budgets. This episode is a must-listen for logistics managers, operations directors, and entrepreneurs eager to stay competitive in a tech-driven market. With Paul Hamblin’s engaging hosting style, this episode promises to be both informative and inspiring.

Tune in to the full episode below and discover how flexible financing can revolutionize your logistics operations.

Sentry’s FIT System and new configurator are potential game-changers in the world of warehouse safety, writes Peter MacLeod.

As modern warehouses continue to grow in scale and complexity, one design trend is becoming increasingly clear: fewer columns, but much bigger ones, to maximise available storage space. To optimise storage density and vehicle movement, developers are opting for wider structural pillars, and unlike in the past, not all of them are of uniform size. While this makes architectural sense, it presents a real challenge when it comes to protecting those columns from impact damage.

Sentry Protection Products believes it has the answer, with its Column Sentry FIT System and a newly launched online configurator designed to take the guesswork out of specifying protection.
“The reality is, not every column is the same size anymore,” explains Jim Ryan, the founder of Sentry Protection Products. “Newer facilities are being built with bigger columns, and there can be a lot of variation across a single site. We wanted to give people a solution that adapts to that environment without a struggle.”

Flexibility

At the heart of the system is flexibility. The Column Sentry FIT range includes Small Fit and Medium Fit modules, along with a new variation called the Fit Combo. This combines two small and two medium pieces to form a rectangular protector, a configuration that Jim believes is unique in the market.

“That pretty much makes a rectangular protector, which I don’t see anybody else having out there,” he says. “It gives us another option to deal with these larger, wider columns.”

The system can be further extended using dedicated extension pieces, allowing protection to be built up to suit a wide variety of column dimensions. The result is a modular approach that can be tailored precisely to each site, rather than forcing operators into a ‘one-size-fits-all’ compromise.

Intuitive and Practical

However, with flexibility comes complexity, and Sentry has been keen to remove any barriers that might discourage customers from investing in protection.

“With so many possibilities, if people are trying to figure it out by themselves, it can get really confusing,” Jim admits. “If they’ve got a lot of different column sizes and different things going on, it’s not easy to work out what they need.”

That challenge led directly to the development of Sentry’s new online configurator tool. Designed to be intuitive and practical, it allows users to enter the number of columns, the size of each column and other relevant details. The tool then calculates exactly how many FIT pieces and extension components are required.

Crucially, it doesn’t stop there. The configurator also generates a visual diagram showing how the protection will look once installed, and will even produce a costed quote via Sentry’s reseller portal.
“It will tell you exactly how many pieces you need, exactly how many extension pieces you need, and show you a diagram of what it’s going to look like,” Jim explains. “And it will even give them a quote on how much it’s going to cost.”

For many warehouse operators, uncertainty around fit, cost and complexity can be an easy excuse to delay or avoid investing in safety. Sentry’s approach is clearly aimed at removing those objections.
“There’s often this reluctance to invest in safety,” concludes Jim Ryan. “People say ‘I can’t afford it’, or ‘I don’t think it will fit’, or ‘my site is unique’. We hope that tools like this will help counter all of that by making it simple, upfront and transparent.”

In an industry where damage to columns can have serious structural, financial and safety implications, the combination of a highly adaptable protection system and a user-friendly configurator represents a significant step forward. For operators dealing with today’s bigger, broader and more varied columns, Sentry’s FIT System could be a very fitting solution indeed.

Keeping both warehouse staff and commercial vehicle fleet drivers safe is a challenge for any logistics business. When the workforce involved is vast, as with Amazon’s, the difficulties are even greater, reports David Priestman.

If workers like a personal protective equipment (PPE) product they will use it. Setting a high bar for quality is therefore a good strategy, as we all learned from Covid. That premise underpinned a discussion at the Amazon Business Reshape conference.

Antoine McNeal is the head of Global Health and Safety (H&S) Procurement for Amazon. His team utilise data-driven decisions in PPE and material handling equipment (MHE) sourcing, partly because of the sheer volume of products involved. His budget is a staggering $200bn and is helping to lead a change in safety practices and equipment. One specific example is the introduction of enhanced hand protection to avoid finger injuries: the ‘Impact Glove’.

Asking why safety is critical in warehousing and distribution may seem naïve or callous, but it gets to the root of the issue. With 1000 H&S staff out of a workforce of one million, Amazon aim to be the benchmark for safety in logistics. McNeal revealed that 2024 saw a 6% fall in injuries (across both delivery and warehouse operations).

Predictive Analytics

“Safety first, people always,” is McNeal and Amazon’s declared mantra. If safety is improved the company benefits from the reduction in time off work by staff. “We can move the market,” McNeal states, “by engaging demand for new or more products.”

When Amazon buy the volumes involved can create their own supply, either by new suppliers emerging or via product innovation. A robust catalogue of PPE products available has been created, with supplier locations all checked.

Every country that Amazon operates in has different H&S standards, so data sets are required to drive decision-making. Data is collected based on the demand for and consumption of PPE. Forecasts can then be made. “Having no stock-outs is imperative, so we check inventory and spot risks,” says McNeal. “We can normalize data based on standards used internationally for items like boots and gloves.” PPE is sourced from as many as 2500 suppliers, globally.

Stay in stock

Incident data is also analysed, of course, as well as employee feedback. “We treat them like our customers,” McNeal insists. Amazon’s ‘Dragon Fly’ tool allows its staff to submit ideas and raise problems regarding safety. Inputs are managed at local sites, but the data is also fed into a global set for analysis – 130,000 submissions per year.

Once Bitten…

Speed matters in business, a concept that Amazons arguably understands better than anyone else. If there is an incident or accident a solution is required, as soon as possible. “We try to solve these problems in advance,” states McNeal, “by working in partnership with our PPE suppliers. Time is critical. If we know what products are needed, how do we shorten the lead time?”

Having PPE on-site, when and where needed, is one answer. PPE vending machines, unlocked and accessed by staff using RFID, are being installed. “If we know what’s used and when, and what’s not getting used, we have the data in our dashboard to improve distribution,” McNeal concludes. Amazon state that PPE is 30% cheaper when vending machines are used as there is less waste and more re-usage.
Other examples of H&S assistance include delivery drivers being given extra lights for when working in hours of darkness, being advised about bad weather via their driver App and even warned about aggressive dogs in the vicinity, something I wish I had as a paperboy way back when!

Tech-led customs and freight forwarding specialist, Zelir Logistics, has warned that ongoing uncertainty around implementation and enforcement of the EU’s new Import Control System 2 (ICS2) is creating unnecessary risk for UK supply chains.

ICS2 – the modernised platform for processing Entry Summary Declarations (ENS) – officially came into effect on January 1, 2026, marking the end of a transition period, and the start of enforcement action for non-compliance. However, the picture across Europe is fragmented, with member states adopting a seemingly inconsistent approach around enforcement.

According to Kent-based Zelir, this is leading to confusion, and even non-compliance in some cases.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty and mixed messaging around this roll-out. We’re getting reports that transporters who haven’t got the documents are not being stopped at the border. Some carriers don’t even know what ICS2 is, and others are not sure what the rules mean,” said Zelir Logistics Director, Joe Jeffery. “As a result, there are many carriers who haven’t implemented ICS2 yet, and when they don’t see it being enforced, it slips further down the priority list.”

‘Non-compliance not worth the risk’

However, with other changes pending, such as the deployment of ELO (the Obligatory Logistics Envelope) for passing through the Smart Border between the UK and the EU at France, Joe is concerned that non-compliance will catch up with businesses sooner rather than later.

“ELO has also been delayed, which adds to the uncertainty, but we know it’s coming, and you won’t be able to get this without ICS2. So one way or another, transporters will need to action ICS2. At the moment, we’re seeing around a 60% ICS2 compliance rate, but we’re advising our clients not to take the risk,” Jeffery (pictured, below) said. “Officially, it’s live and it’s mandatory and every truck should have one, so even though an extra cost may be incurred if paying a third party to complete the ICS2 applications, we’re trying to guide our clients on the right path. This prevents the gamble at the port as to which states will enforce and when, and means transporters will have routines in place when ELO kicks in.”

What is ICS2

ICS2 is an advanced cargo information system designed to boost security in the international transportation of goods. All operators who bring goods through the EU must provide enhanced shipment data to customs, for improved identification of high-risk consignments. The third release of ICS2, implemented on January 1st, applies to road, rail and sea. Information has to be submitted shortly before the goods arrive at the first EU customs office of entry.

Data required includes a detailed goods description, six-digit HS code, transport means and routing, and details of carrier, consignor, consignee, buyer and seller. There’s also the option for multiple filing by different parties.

Zelir Logistics helps firm with all elements of customs compliance, including creating ICS2 submissions on their behalf, and preparing for ELO.

“Of course the uncertainty isn’t helpful, as we shouldn’t have to guess when something will be implemented or enforced. Despite this, we would strongly encourage firms to build ICS2 into their routines now, both to reduce risk of enforcement and to minimise supply chain disruptions caused by the implementation of new systems as much as possible,” concluded Jeffery.

We’re pleased to announce an upcoming episode of Logistics Business Conversations – and a small milestone for the series.

For the first time, the podcast has been recorded at Logistics Business headquarters, bringing the conversation into our own studio environment ahead of its release. The episode is hosted by Logistics Business Editor Paul Hamblin, with Gregg Collett, UK Managing Director at CHG‑MERIDIAN UK, joining us in person for a wide‑ranging discussion on technology, investment and long‑term thinking in logistics and supply chain operations.

From events to headquarters

Over the past year, Logistics Business Conversations has been recorded in a variety of formats. We’ve captured live, in‑person discussions at major industry events including IMHX, and this year at Multimodal, and Parcel and Post Expo, allowing us to sit down with industry leaders in the middle of the action. Alongside this, many episodes have been recorded remotely using our online digital studio, enabling us to connect with guests across the UK, Europe and beyond.

Recording this episode at our headquarters marks the next step in the evolution of the series. An in‑house setup allows for deeper, more focused conversations, while maintaining the informal and practical tone that listeners expect from the podcast.

What to expect from the episode

In this episode, Paul and Gregg discuss:

• How organisations are approaching technology investment in an uncertain economic climate
• The role of flexible financing and lifecycle management in logistics operations
• What end users should consider when planning long‑term digital and automation strategies

The conversation reflects the podcast’s core aim: sharing practical insight from across the logistics, materials handling and supply chain sectors, grounded in real‑world experience.

Release date and schedule

This episode of Logistics Business Conversations will be released on Monday 2 February, as part of our regular podcast schedule, with new episodes published every other Monday.

The full conversation will be available to watch and listen to via Logistics Business channels once live. We’ll continue to record episodes both on the road at key industry events and at Logistics Business headquarters throughout the year.

Stay tuned for more in‑depth conversations with industry experts, solution providers and end users from across the logistics sector.

Advanced automation and intelligent warehouse management have been combined to double capacity and accelerate fulfillment – without expanding the footprint of the DC.

Infios, a global supplier of intelligent supply chain execution, has announced the successful expansion of its long-term partnership with Dental City, deploying an advanced Autonomous Mobile Robotics (AMR) solution fully integrated with Infios Warehouse Management (WM).

Infios successfully deployed and optimized a robotic fulfillment system at Dental City‘s 40,000 square-foot distribution centre, achieving transformative results within just three months. Built as a natural extension of Dental City’s longstanding use of Infios WM, the integration doubled operational capacity, enhanced order accuracy and extended the facility’s lifespan by up to five years – without the need for expansion. This milestone was enabled by Infios’s integration of AMRs within its intelligent warehouse platform, further strengthening a partnership that began in 2008.

“As a smaller distribution centre, remaining competitive with larger players requires smart, strategic innovation,” said John Mathys, President, Dental City. “With Infios, we saw immediate results from the AMR integration – tripling our pick rates and enabling same-day fulfillment and two-day delivery guarantee nationwide. We initially projected a three-year ROI, but it’s now tracking closer to just over a year.”

Infios led the full integration of Locus Origin and Vector robots into its WM platform, enabling smarter cartonization, optimized zone picking and frictionless navigation via QR-coded mapping. These innovations have cut order cycle times to just minutes and reduced physical strain on employees while increasing overall workforce engagement and improving overall customer satisfaction.

“Our nearly two-decade partnership with Dental City continues to evolve, driven by our shared commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence,” said Matt Gregory, SVP EMEA Growth & Global Hardware. “Order accuracy now stands at an impressive 99.85% – a testament to the power of intelligent automation and collaboration.”

The success of the Infios-driven transformation was recently recognized with Dental City awarded ‘Best Use of Robotics’ at the Supply Chain Excellence Awards USA, underscoring the impact of their intelligent warehouse modernisation.

DHL Supply Chain confirms the renewal of its contract with Airbus to manage and orchestrate its global transport flows for its commercial aircraft activities. This lead transport partnership (LTP), launched in 2008, now encompasses air, sea, road, and parcel transport, as well as a dedicated 24/7 service for critical AOG (Aircraft on Ground) operations. DHL’s LTP solution is designed not just to manage supply chains, but to transform them through embedded value creation.

Each year, DHL Supply Chain manages nearly 350,000 shipments for around twenty Airbus sites worldwide, from its centres of expertise in Toulouse and Valencia. Services include coordination of inbound flows (from suppliers to factories), inter-factory flows (Europe, USA, China), and outbound flows (spare parts, returns to suppliers), with a strong focus on lead times, service quality, and regulatory compliance.

DHL Supply Chain will also continue to manage carrier contracts, lead transport tenders, conduct quality control, and handle claims on behalf of Airbus.

A partnership strengthened by innovation and sustainability

“Supply chain complexity is increasing due to globalization, increased product variety and technological changes; raising expectations and demands for improved service, greater visibility and control across supply chains. We are proud to create this visibility for Airbus through our LTP control towers in Valencia, Spain and Toulouse, France, to ensure efficient flows of their manufacturing parts globally,” said Rainer Haag, CEO Europe, DHL Supply Chain.

“For nearly 20 years, our collaboration with Airbus has been built on mutual trust and a shared commitment to operational excellence. This renewal demonstrates our ability to deliver tailored, scalable supply chain management solutions that support Airbus’ growth, while advancing the digital transformation of its supply chain to meet today’s and tomorrow’s needs. Through technological innovation, continuous process improvement, and the mobilization of all of DHL Group’s expertise, we help enhance Airbus’ visibility and shorten order fulfillment times,” said Nico Schuetz, CEO of DHL Supply Chain France.

Catherine O Toole, Head of LLP and Transport EMEA added, “In a context where logistics performance must also align with energy efficiency, DHL Supply Chain leverages its full range of expertise to combine technological innovation with carbon footprint reduction. The integration of the new transport management system not only improves planning and reduces lead times but also optimizes routes and load factors, helping to cut transport-related emissions. This partnership reflects DHL and Airbus’ shared commitment to accelerating the transition to a more resilient, intelligent, and sustainable supply chain.”

In the world ofprivate aviation, true luxury is not just flying on an exclusive private jet, avoiding the queues or choosing your departure time. The real added value is played out in the last mile: that short but decisive stretch between landing and final arrival at your destination.

For discerning travelers, the experience does not end on the runway. Rather, it is there that it must continue uninterrupted, with the same level of comfort, privacy and efficiency that characterizes the entire flight.

What last mile means in private jet travel

Inluxury travel parlance, the last mile indicates all ground services following landing:

• Exclusive transfers from the airport to the final destination

• Immediate access to private terminals (FBO)

• fast baggage and document management

• Coordination between crew, concierge, and driver

It is a concept borrowed from logistics, but reinterpreted in a premium way: no waiting, no friction, no wasted time.

Why the last mile makes a difference in luxury travel

Those who fly on a private jet are not just renting a means of transportation, but a luxury experience. The final transfer from the airport to the destination must match the entire trip.

A last mile with attention to detail ensures:

• Luxury experience: from jet to hotel or villa with no change of pace

• Maximum privacy: selected drivers, dedicated routes, restricted access

• Time optimization: zero waiting, everything ready at the right time

• Total customization: customized vehicles, schedules and services

Transfers after landing: luxury cars, helicopters and yachts

In the context of private aviation, ground transfer can take many forms, all sharing one standard: excellence. Some concrete examples help to understand how much the last mile affects the overall experience.

Luxury sedan from London Biggin Hill – Mayfair or Canary Wharf

After landing in London at one of the most popular airports for business aviation., the passenger is welcomed directly into the FBO. In less than ten minutes, with no public steps or waiting, he boards a luxury sedan with a dedicated driver.

Transfer to Mayfair or Canary Wharf takes place along optimized routes, while luggage and documentation have already been handled by ground staff. The result is an arrival in the city center in total continuity with the flight experience.

Private helicopter Zurich – exclusive alpine locations

Those flying by private jet to Zurich often have St. Moritz, Davos, or other high-profile Alpine resorts as their final destination. In this case, the last mile may involve a helicopter transfer directly from the airport.

In less than an hour, the passenger goes from the runway to the resort, avoiding congested roads and maintaining privacy and comfort at the highest level.

French Riviera – from private jet to yacht

At French Riviera airports, such as Nice, the last mile can turn into an iconic experience: from private jet to FBO, then direct transfer to the port and immediate boarding on a private yacht or tender.

This type of solution is popular during international events such as the Cannes Film Festival or the Monaco Grand Prix, when every minute saved makes a difference.

The key role of FBOs

Fixed Base Operators are the operational heart of thelast mile in private jet travel. This is where the perfect transition between air and ground takes place.

A high-level FBO offers:

• reserved lounges and design environments

• fast and discreet customs procedures

• Direct coordination with transportation and concierge services

• maximum flexibility in schedules

The quality of the FBO directly affects the perception of travel, especially for those who fly often and demand high standards.

The luxury private jet experience does not end with landing

In contemporary luxury travel, the last mile has also become a signal of status. It is not about ostentation, but about total control over one’s time and space. A rriving to your destination without stress, without waiting and without compromise is true modern luxury, especially for entrepreneurs, top managers and high net worth individuals.

In private jet chartering at privatejetfinder.com , attention to detail makes all the difference. And the last mile is a very important detail. A truly premium experience knows no breaks: from takeoff to arrival at the final destination, every step must be smooth, personalized, and flawless. Because in authentic luxury, even the last mile counts as much as the first.

Warehouse robotics company Nomagic, applying general-purpose Physical AI to optimize warehouse operations, today announced a new ‘Shoebox Picker’ as part of its portfolio of solutions.

As a cutting-edge application of Physical AI, the Shoebox Picker is the AI perception and robot control system with an intelligent end of arm gripper designed for high-reliability handling of two-piece and unsealed shoeboxes. The Shoebox Picker’s powerful AI software analyzes specific characteristics of each shoebox including size, weight, lid type and orientation to predict the ideal movements for the pick task, then guides the arm gripper to execute the pick. This enable a secure process – even for unsealed shoeboxes with separating lids – without taping, crushing or losing the lid, allowing the solution to pick what is often considered unpickable.

In modern warehouses, handling shoeboxes is one of the hardest tasks to automate. In a typical fashion e-commerce warehouse, shoeboxes constitute approximately 20% of all items. For fulfillment centres specializing in footwear, this percentage is significantly higher.

With endless variations in size, weight, and lid type, shoeboxes can create a bottleneck that prevents a fully automated fashion workflow. Until now, all operations related to picking, packing, and sorting shoeboxes have been a manual process with standard robotic systems failing to achieve the same precision as the Nomagic solution.

The Shoebox Picker is first of its kind with its unique abilities to:

• Handle Two-Piece and Unsealed Boxes: It securely grasps boxes without requiring them to be taped or sealed, preventing lids from separating and contents from spilling.
• Manage Variation: It effectively handles a diverse mix of shoebox designs, accommodating different sizes, weights, and materials.
• Provide Multi-Orientation Capability: The system can pick shoeboxes placed both vertically and horizontally, a common state in dense warehouse storage.

The Shoebox Picker eliminates the need for items to be singled out or pre-oriented, a requirement that made automation impractical before. This enables the solution to achieve a throughput of up to 450 UPH for shoebox-only handling and up to 600 UPH for mixed bins, while covering more than 98% of shoebox SKUs currently available in the market.

Kacper Nowicki, co-founder and CEO of Nomagic comments: “The Shoebox Picker is a great example of the embodiment of Physical AI. It combines the intelligence of AI with a physical system to solve real-life physical problems. Automated shoebox handling is an immense challenge in logistics. The Shoebox Picker enables automation for this missing part of fashion logistics. I’m proud to see Nomagic pushing the boundaries of what is possible with Physical AI for intralogistics.”

In addition to footwear and apparel brands, the Shoebox Picker is especially advantageous for e-commerce fulfillment centres or third-party logistics providers that manage warehouses and fulfillment for fashion retailers as well as retailers and companies that use dark stores or micro-fulfillment centres to fulfill online orders.

The Shoebox Picker will premiere at LogiMAT (March 24-26) in Stuttgart, Germany at Nomagic’s Booth 1GA57 in Hall 1G.

When Germany’s largest grocery retailer re-evaluates its entire order-picking technology, it’s about more than just optimisation — it’s about long-term strategic viability. EDEKA recognized early on that its existing pick-by-voice system could no longer meet the growing demands for efficiency, ergonomics, and cost-effectiveness. The requirements for a new system were clear: it needed to be more powerful, more flexible, and more economically attractive — all while integrating seamlessly into existing operations.

Following a brief but intensive testing phase, the decision was made. Ehrhardt Partner Group (EPG) won out with ‘LYDIA Voice’. The solution not only met all technical and economic criteria, but also enabled a smooth, phased transition by allowing parallel operation with the legacy system. This approach allowed approximately 10,000 users across 33 locations to become familiar with the new technology without any loss in productivity. The rollout was carried out gradually across regional distribution centres.

From fresh fruits and vegetables to beverages and cosmetics, EDEKA offers an exclusive assortment of around 25,000 food and non-food items. This wide-ranging product selection meets the needs of a diverse and varied customer base. With 11,100 stores, the EDEKA Group is one of the most powerful players in the German grocery retail sector and a reliable partner for independent retailers, suppliers, wholesale customers, and convenience store operators. A strong commitment to quality shapes every aspect of the company’s operations throughout the entire value chain. This is especially evident in logistics. EDEKA’s wholesale operations are managed by seven regional companies that ensure all products arrive fresh and on time at more than 7,000 EDEKA stores. Deliveries are made from a total of 38 logistics centres spread across Germany, ensuring a seamless and reliable supply chain.

A New Sound

Order picking is a critical component of EDEKA’s logistics operations, playing a key role in maintaining a smooth and efficient flow of goods. However, the limitations of the existing pick-by-voice system had become increasingly apparent: lack of flexibility, ergonomic issues, and growing complexity in collaboration with the provider made a system change inevitable. EDEKA set out in search of a solution that not only delivered technologically but was also future-ready. That search led to LYDIA VoiceWear — the innovative picking vest developed by the voice recognition and logistics software experts at EPG.

Already familiar to the team, LYDIA VoiceWear was put to the test under real-world conditions — and the results were convincing across the board. Malte Kruse, Head of IT Logistics Systems EDEKA Minden Hannover, summed up the decision clearly:

“LYDIA VoiceWear offers functionality that’s truly one of a kind — there’s nothing else like it on the market. What’s more, our employees can be productive right away, without any prior voice training. That’s a significant advantage. With our previous system, that wasn’t possible — and when it comes to seasonal workers, quick onboarding is absolutely critical to our operations.”

Switching to Voice During Live Operations

EDEKA’s decentralized structure results in a highly diverse IT landscape — a factor that posed a significant challenge during the transition to the new pick-by-voice system.

“This was essentially open-heart surgery, as the switchover took place during ongoing operations,” explains Tim Just, CEO of Voice Solutions at EPG. “Despite the wide range of different systems and the autonomy of the regional companies, the rollout was smooth and uninterrupted. A key factor in this success was the strong commitment of EDEKA’s decision-makers and the openness of its employees.” It quickly became clear that LYDIA Voice was capable of managing the existing complexity and translating it into an efficient, unified system — even under real-time, live conditions.

Ergonomics That Work

The decision to adopt the LYDIA VoiceWear picking vest originated from an initiative by EDEKA Minden-Hannover. The system allows for maximum freedom of movement during pick-by-voice operations while meeting key requirements for ergonomics, speed, and flexibility in order fulfillment. Instead of using a separate headset, the microphone and speaker are integrated directly into the wearable system — providing not only greater comfort but also clear voice transmission. The built-in audio system also supports users who wear hearing aids — a significant advancement in inclusion and accessibility, since traditional headsets have often posed a barrier in this area. From a technological standpoint, digital audio transmission is robust and offers high bandwidth.

Another standout feature is the integrated beamforming technology, which significantly reduces background noise — even in high-noise warehouse environments. The microphone array, consisting of four high-performance microphones, creates a directional ‘funnel’ effect for speech input. This ensures accurate voice recognition, even when multiple pickers are working close to each other. “All of our hardware and software components are developed with a strong focus on user-friendliness,” explains Just. “That leads to significantly higher acceptance and noticeably greater user satisfaction — an effect that became immediately clear at EDEKA.”

Following the rollout in EDEKA Minden-Hannover, EDEKA Nordbayern also began implementation of LYDIA Voice and LYDIA VoiceWear. Today, more than 4,400 devices are in use across 33 logistics centres.