Global: A new report by AutoStore and analysed by Swisslog finds 93% of supply chain executives cite improving throughput as top warehouse priority for 2025, highlighting a shift from basic automation to integrated software systems amid rapid e-commerce growth, especially in the Middle East.
A comprehensive new global report from AutoStore, analysed by Swisslog, reveals that an overwhelming majority of supply chain leaders see enhancing throughput as the foremost priority for warehouses in 2025. The State of Warehouse Management and Fulfillment 2025 report found that 93% of respondents regard improving throughput as “very” or “extremely important,” a notable rise from its eighth position as a priority in 2024. The study surveyed over 300 global executives responsible for supply chains, offering a detailed benchmark of automation trends and operational priorities.
One of the most striking findings is that nearly all respondents (97%) have implemented some form of automation to date, reflecting the widespread adoption of technology in warehouse operations. Despite this, almost half (48%) report being less than 50% automated, highlighting substantial potential for further automation growth. According to Swisslog’s analysis of the report, simply having automation is no longer sufficient; advanced warehouse execution and automation control software have become critical to unlocking new performance levels. Swisslog’s SynQ platform, for example, can enhance bin retrieval speeds by up to 20% through optimisation of bin selection and order batching.
In addition to throughput, the report underlines the importance of software integration. As warehouses increase their automation footprint with diverse technologies, seamless software integration becomes vital to avoid complexities and harness data for continual performance gains. Fragmented systems risk operational inefficiencies and squander valuable analytics. Swisslog’s SynQ platform addresses these challenges by offering a unified software solution that manages and optimises automation assets in a cohesive manner.
The urgency for such innovations is particularly acute in the Middle East region, where the logistics market is poised to double this year compared to 2020. The regional e-commerce sector is projected to reach a remarkable $50 billion by 2025, driving heightened pressure to maximise throughput, storage density, and order fulfilment efficiency—often under volatile demand conditions. Rami Younes, General Manager at Swisslog Middle East, emphasised in commentary on the report that the region’s fast-growing omnichannel retail and e-commerce landscape require not only automation but sophisticated software that can enhance and integrate these systems for competitive advantage.
Several real-world cases underscore these findings. For instance, Arvato’s deployment of AutoStore integrated with Swisslog’s SynQ has yielded tangible improvements in throughput, storage density, and efficiency, supported by high system reliability and smooth data integration with enterprise software such as SAP. Similarly, Swisslog’s ongoing project with the Chalhoub Group in Riyadh aims to modernise logistics infrastructure in alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, using advanced automation and integrated software to boost operational responsiveness to market dynamics.
Regionally, Swisslog has been actively demonstrating the power of these solutions, such as at Seamless Middle East 2023, showcasing how AutoStore’s robotic storage and order processing meets the growing demand for rapid, accurate fulfilment in the MENA region. Their SynQ software, recognised with the Digital Transformation & Innovation Solution of the Year award in 2020, continues to deliver enhancements not only in automation control but also in workforce training through innovations like the Virtual Reality Training Manager.
Despite the widespread enthusiasm for automation, the report also highlights ongoing challenges, including slow order fulfilment times and workforce shortages, which further justify the need for integrated software solutions that optimise both human and machine resources. As warehouses prepare for the operational demands of 2025, the consensus from industry leaders and case studies alike indicates that the future of warehouse success hinges not merely on physical automation, but on holistic software-driven management systems that drive throughput, flexibility, and resilience across complex supply chains.
Source: Noah Wire Services