80% of Indian warehouses to incorporate automation by 2030, report

As the demand for warehouse facilities in the country continues to rise, there is a growing trend towards automation in the infrastructure sector, driven by the need to enhance efficiency and reduce logistics costs. A report from business advisory firm Alvarez & Marsal reveals that over 80% of Indian warehouses are expected to incorporate some level of automation by 2030. This shift is particularly evident in Grade A warehouses, which are anticipated to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 12.5%, reaching approximately 324 million square feet by 2027-28. Grade A warehouses represent cutting-edge infrastructure equipped with high-quality storage, assembly, and distribution facilities. The surge in e-commerce, marked by increased consumer demand for swift deliveries and rising land prices, underscores the necessity for warehouse automation. The report categorises automation maturity on a scale from Level 0 (manual operations) to Level 4 (end-to-end automation). Currently, most warehouses in India fall within Levels 0 to 2, indicating varying degrees of automation implementation. According to Manish Saigal, Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal, adopting automation technologies requires a careful assessment of associated costs and benefits to ensure economic viability. While automation enhances efficiency and minimises errors and theft, organisations must align their chosen technologies with strategic goals and operational needs. However, the adoption of automation in the Indian warehousing sector presents challenges. India's labour-intensive market necessitates time and investment in developing a robust automation ecosystem, including local service providers, cost-effective technology tools, competitive differentiation, and on-going maintenance and technical support. The financial feasibility of certain automation technologies is also limited by the existing size of warehouses in India. Additionally, long payback periods for automation solutions clash with the shorter lease terms typically offered by third-party logistics providers, creating financial obstacles for potential adopters. The move towards automation aligns with the National Logistics Policy's objectives, which aim to reduce the country's logistics costs from 13-14% of the GDP to single digits. Ultimately, the integration of automation in the warehousing sector is a crucial step toward enhancing efficiency and meeting the evolving demands of the modern market.