So, what exactly do we mean by "flexible automation"? At Dematic we define “flexible automation” not as a single technology, but a strategic approach to designing and implementing systems that are inherently versatile, echoing our commitment to future-proof logistics. Flexible automation solutions are:

• Adaptable and scalable – they can be easily reconfigured to meet changing demands, new layouts, and evolving business needs. This means solutions can scale up or down with growth and product changes without major disruption.
• Modular and infrastructure-light – they are made up of components that can be increased quickly, reducing initial investment risk and allowing for phased deployment.
• Future-proof – they are capable of integrating new technologies and shifting with market demands without requiring a complete overhaul.
• Software-driven – they are run by intelligent software that ensures seamless integration, optimises workflows, and allows processes to be modified and adapted efficiently.

Flexible automation rejects the notion of a "one-size-fits-all" solution. Instead, it champions tailored approaches that precisely match specific operational challenges and strategic goals.

At IMHX, the Dematic message was about how flexible automation is transforming operations, and how Dematic’s ecosystem is designed to meet the diverse needs of its customers. As a business systems integrator we can pick from a wide range of best-in-class hardware to tailor each solution to our customers’ exact needs:

• Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs): The centrepiece of the stand at IMHX, these intelligent robots navigate autonomously and offer unparalleled flexibility in material handling. They are rapidly deployable, can integrate seamlessly into existing workflows, increase productivity, and enhance workplace safety.
• AutoStore: This high-density cube storage system revolutionises the use of space. Its modular grid architecture allows for remarkable scalability and adaptability to changing volumes and product mixes, delivering high reliability, speed, and accuracy in order fulfilment.
• Robotics: From palletising to depalletising, picking, and sorting, advanced robotic solutions offer precision, speed, and tireless operation, easily integrated and re-tasked for various applications.
• Pallet shuttles: Highly efficient automated storage and retrieval systems for pallets, offering deep lane storage with excellent throughput, capable of adapting to varying product mixes and order profiles.

These solutions are not standalone islands; Dematic is the expert integrator that brings these technologies together, and combines them with its intelligent software to create a cohesive, optimised systems. With Dematic the whole really is greater than the sum of its parts!

The key message we hope that everyone who came to the Dematic stand at IMHX took away is that embracing flexible automation delivers tangible advantages that directly impact your bottom line and operational resilience. The conversations on the booth can be neatly summed up in the tangible advantages that flexible automation gives our customers:

• Adapt faster by responding swiftly to market shifts, customer demands, and unforeseen disruptions.
• Reduce risk by future-proofing your investments by choosing systems that can evolve with your business, minimising obsolescence.
• Enhance ROI by optimising operational efficiency to reduce labour costs and improve throughput.
• Maximise space by using existing facilities more effectively.
• Enhance safety and productivity by implementing reliable systems that reduce manual handling, improve working conditions, and significantly increase throughput.
• Scale seamlessly by easily expanding or adjusting your operations as your business grows or strategies change, without significant downtime.

Another key takeaway from IMHX was Dematic’s shift from “after-sales service” to Lifecycle Solutions & Services (LSS). For customers, this means true partnership: not just delivering a system on day one, but ensuring it keeps performing year after year. This sends a clear signal that, at Dematic, LSS is not an afterthought, it’s part of the design from the very beginning. We recognise that the long-term success of any automation depends on more than technology, it requires planning for service, support, and upgrades upfront, ensuring:

- Maximum uptime with predictive and preventive maintenance

- Faster ROI through systems that stay optimised

- Future readiness by enabling upgrades and modernisation without disruption

- Confidence and continuity with 24/7 support and local presence

By putting the focus on LSS, Dematic reinforces its commitment to building close, long-term relationships with customers’ teams, making sure every system runs at its peak and adapts as needs evolve. The intent is automation that is not only flexible at go-live, but continues to scale, support, and strengthen your business far into the future.

IMHX 2025 served as a powerful reminder that the demands on modern supply chains will only continue to intensify. In today’s complex supply chain environment, the decision to embrace flexible automation isn't just about efficiency; it's about building a resilient, adaptable future for your business.

Imagine a warehouse that can effortlessly shift gears to accommodate a sudden surge in demand, integrate a new product line without missing a beat, or pivot to a new fulfilment strategy with minimal disruption. This isn't a dream; it's the reality that flexible automation, powered by innovative technologies – like AMRs, AutoStore, robotics, and pallet shuttles – delivers today. Choosing Dematic means gaining not just cutting-edge technology, software and unparalleled lifecycle support, but a commitment to ensure your automation strategy remains agile and relevant, ensuring your long-term success in a world that never stands still.