Warehouses Across Switzerland Emphasize Increasing Efficiency to Boost Return on Investment, According to Swisslog Report
In the rapidly evolving world of logistics, a recent report titled the "State of Warehouse Management and Fulfillment 2025" sheds light on the top trends and operational priorities in the industry. The report, analysed by Swisslog, surveyed over 300 global executives with supply chain responsibility, and reveals a clear shift towards intelligent, AI-driven automation, integration with existing operations, and data-driven decision making.
According to the report, nearly all surveyed (97%) have implemented some form of automation in their warehouses. Despite this widespread adoption, nearly half (48%) of warehouses report being less than 50% automated. This highlights the growing urgency for businesses to optimize automation and software capabilities.
One of the key findings of the report is the importance of flexibility in automation software. Such software enables businesses to adapt to evolving customer demands, streamline omnichannel fulfillment, and maximize both throughput and storage density. Swisslog's SynQ platform, for instance, addresses the risks of fragmented automation systems by providing a single, unified software solution to manage and optimize automation assets.
Advanced automation control software can potentially increase bin retrieval speeds by up to 20%. Seamless software integration across multiple systems is vital for preventing operational complexity and ensuring data-driven performance improvements as automation levels expand. Rami Younes, a commentator, emphasizes that businesses that want to stay competitive must focus on software that enhances performance and integrates seamlessly across technologies.
The report also identifies the growth in the Middle East's e-commerce sector as a significant factor driving the need for improved warehouse automation. The sector is projected to reach US$50 billion by 2025, increasing the pressure to improve throughput, maximize density, optimize order fulfillment, and adapt to demand spikes.
Advanced automation control software, such as Swisslog's SynQ platform, can drive meaningful improvements in operational metrics. The industry is witnessing more demand for automation solutions that integrate with existing warehouse infrastructures (brownfield projects) rather than building entirely new automated facilities (greenfield projects), reflecting companies' desire to upgrade current operations with minimal disruption.
The report warns of the risks of fragmented automation systems, which can lead to inefficiencies and limit the value of operational data. Key operational priorities include handling increasing order volumes with scalable, fast, and accurate automated systems, reducing dependency on manual labor, utilizing data from connected devices (IoT) combined with AI to optimize inventory, and investing in robotics technologies such as Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) to enhance material handling and order fulfillment speed.
The warehouse automation market was valued at around USD 21-24 billion in 2023-2024 and is expected to more than double by 2030–2035, with CAGR estimates around 15-19%. North America leads in adoption, while Asia Pacific shows the fastest growth.
Improving throughput is a top warehouse priority in 2025, with 93% of respondents rating it as very or extremely important. The full State of Warehouse Management and Fulfillment 2025 report is available to download, providing valuable insights for businesses looking to stay competitive in the post-pandemic supply chain environment.
Investment in advanced automation control software is crucial for businesses to enhance performance and remain competitive, as such software can potentially increase bin retrieval speeds by up to 20%. The warehouse automation market is expected to more than double by 2030–2035, highlighting the importance of finance in the industry's growth. In the Middle East, where the e-commerce sector is projected to reach US$50 billion by 2025, technology plays a significant role in driving the need for improved warehouse automation.
