Adding automation to a warehouse or factory isn’t as simple as throwing robots onto the floor, noted The Raymond Corp. at recent trade shows. The Greene, N.Y.-based company said it works closely with customers to determine where to best apply any automation, let alone its systems.
“You don’t want to automate a bad process,” Martin Buena-Franco, automation solutions marketing manager at Raymond, told Mobile Robot Guide at Automate. “We look at the steps of ‘optimize, connect, automate,’ and we’re not leading with automation.”
“Raymond has more than 100 years of experience in continuous process improvement,” he added. “We have expertise with manufacturing, logistics, and systems integration, but what distinguishes us is our work with customers to optimize their operations.”
“There’s a lot of talk right now about AI in manufacturing and warehouses, but we need to see use cases,” Buena-Franco noted.
Raymond, a Toyota Industries company, provides automated guided vehicles (AGVs), industrial robots, automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), conveyors, electric forklifts, and other equipment, as well as consulting and engineering services. It also supplies connected technologies, batteries, and charging systems.
In March, the company expanded its automation portfolio, adding the Raymond Courier 3030 Automated Stacker and the Raymond Courier Automated Charging System. The Courier 3030 lift truck includes increased travel speeds, an improved secondary object-detection system, a low clearance arch, and a reverse object-detection sensor.
New features include lane-building functionality, forktip sensors, and a pallet-presence sensor.
Raymond CEO discusses outreach to manufacturing execs
Michael Field, president and CEO of Raymond Corp., discussed some of the trends and themes at MODEX 2024 and how the company is positioning itself to meet the growing demand for automation. He also discussed efforts to reach customers in the C suite, end users, and systems integrators.
In addition, Field told Plant Engineering, a sibling site to Mobile Robot Guide, about reshoring’s effect on manufacturing and how Raymond is adjusting. He spoke with Chris Vavra, senior editor at WTWH Media, about the different vertical markets and the company’s work make its products applicable regardless of industry (see video below).
At both events, Raymond showed the new automated stacker and charging system, as well as material handling equipment, its Radioshuttle semi-automated storage and retrieval system, connected technologies, and energy systems.
