Canadian medical distributor adds automation, robotics to its warehouse

The Stevens Company, a Canadian supplier of medical supplies and equipment, has launched Stevens AutoStore, advanced automation and robotic technologies in its Brampton warehouse operations.

The company says the AutoStore sets a new standard for efficiency, accuracy and customer satisfaction in the health-care supply chain within Canada.

The integration of cutting-edge robotics and automation solutions is part of Stevens’ strategic initiative to enhance operational performance and meet the growing demands of health-care providers nationwide. Working with Bastian Solutions, a division of Toyota, to integrate the new technology into daily warehouse operations, Stevens expects output at the Brampton facility to increase by five times and add 25 per cent to space capacity. AutoStore will manage 78 per cent of the items that pass through the warehouse.

“Automation and robotics represent the future of medical distribution,” said Jay Stevens, president of The Stevens Company. “It was important that we found a way to integrate these new technologies into our operations rather than change everything we do. Having robots and staff work side by side, we’re aiming to transform inventory management and productivity.”

Key features of the new system include:

• High-speed sorting systems: designed to streamline order fulfilment.
• Autonomous robots: designed to navigate warehouses efficiently, reducing human labor in repetitive tasks and enhancing safety.
• Real-time inventory tracking: provides immediate visibility into stock levels, ensuring optimal inventory control and reducing waste.

“This type of technology is common with retail distributors, but not as common in the medical distribution industry,” said Stevens. “We are committed to improving the Canadian healthcare system and this type of enhancement will decrease delivery times and create efficiencies across the supply chain.”

Stevens is a distributor of medical supplies, equipment and services to health-care providers across Canada from its facilities in Ontario, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia.