Warehouse Automation: What’s Next for Distributors?

Warehouse automation has moved from a future-state concept to a present-day operating reality for distributors. Robotics, autonomous mobile robots, goods-to-person systems, AI-driven slotting, and modern labor management platforms are reshaping how distribution centers run, and the cost of standing still is rising as labor pressure persists and customer expectations climb. The question is no longer whether to automate, but where, when, and how.

In this Technology Leader Panel, we examine where warehouse automation is heading next for the distribution industry and how leaders should think about investment, integration, and ROI. The discussion covers what is working in real distribution operations today, where the technology is still maturing, how to phase automation investments without overbuilding, and how AI is reshaping warehouse decision-making from inventory placement to labor planning. Whether you operate one DC or fifty, the panel will help you separate signal from hype and build a roadmap that fits your business.

Key Takeaways

• Where warehouse automation is delivering measurable ROI for distributors today
• How to phase automation investments without overcommitting to a single technology or vendor
• The expanding role of AI and data in modern warehouse operations
• What is changing in labor strategy as automation scales
• How to evaluate vendors, integrators, and total cost of ownership

What You’ll Learn

• The technologies most relevant to distributors right now, including robotics, AMRs, goods-to-person systems, and AI-driven warehouse software.
• How leading distributors are sequencing automation investments to manage risk and capture value over time.
• How AI is changing inventory placement, slotting, labor planning, and order management inside the four walls.
• What to look for when evaluating automation vendors, integrators, and long-term technology partnerships.

Join Us

Register to hear from technology leaders shaping the next wave of warehouse automation in distribution., and operations leaders managing global supplier relationships.