13.03.2023

Why robots won't replace warehouse workers

Cybernetic technology is the source of many Science Fiction film plots, and periodically the idea of robots replacing humans in certain employment sectors hits the mainstream media. In recent times, this has led to speculation that mechanical processes will make large numbers of warehouse roles obsolete.


The reality is far different. With news that Amazon is recruiting another 5,000 warehouse staff to keep pace with demand, comes a flurry of other announcements regarding more recruitment. This includes both Lidl – creating another 360 jobs at its distribution centre – and frozen foods retailer Iceland opening a new “food warehouse” in Walsall.

That’s not to say that London’s warehouse and logistics companies aren’t embracing automation’s possibilities. Mechanical processes such as packing are benefiting from technological advances and speeding up tasks that were previously done manually.

However, this means that the job opportunities within the warehouse and logistics sectors look set to be more skills focused and potentially better paid, taking the industry away from some of the headlines that have tarnished its image in the past.

Staff will be needed for their cognitive abilities – being able to recognise and respond to a variety of situations – and of course their technical expertise in working with the new equipment. There is also a lot of management planning needed to integrate modern technology into workplaces alongside the humans who need to interact with it.

James Bessen, an economist at Boston University, recently said: “We tend to think that automation, generally speaking, replaces humans, but really in the big picture that isn’t true.” He believes that automation makes goods cheaper, which increases demand and this in turn leads to companies expanding and creating more jobs for human workers. 

There are plenty of pundits that believe automation leads to problems of its own, that only the right staff can tackle, largely centre around quality control and after sales services.

The artificial intelligence to replace human intuition and insight is in an early stage and prohibitively expensive. Getting the right human staff in place, to keep pace with the changing demands on companies, will remain the lynchpin of business success for some years.

Come the day we all ride round in floating cars or communicate telepathically, the situation may be different.

Meanwhile, for staff that can keep pace with the changes and challenges at your London warehouse or logistics firm, call us today.

Posted by: Extraman Recruitment