Master Electronics Deploys AutoStore for Faster Picking
The 35-robot system eliminates 40% of manual walking time in the company's existing distribution center.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Robotics
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Master Electronics has deployed a Swisslog AutoStore system at its distribution center to automate storage and retrieval. The installation features 35 robots and 80,190 bins to manage inventory and improve operational efficiency.
Why it matters
The deployment addresses challenges in warehouse scalability caused by rising inventory and sales volume. By shifting to an automated grid system, the company aims to resolve productivity bottlenecks associated with manual order fulfillment.
The system replaces manual movement with 35 robots servicing 80,190 storage bins. The implementation aims to eliminate the 40% of operator time previously spent traversing the distribution floor.
The players
Master Electronics
An electronics distributor managing inventory through automated warehouse logistics.
Swisslog
A logistics automation firm specializing in modular robotic storage systems.
The details
The AutoStore system uses a high-density grid where robots travel atop the structure to retrieve storage bins. SynQ software acts as the warehouse management platform, directing the robotic swarm to the specific bin coordinate required for each order. This automation eliminates the need for manual picking, where workers previously spent 40% of their shift walking between storage aisles.
Timeline
October 22, 2026: The project deployment details were finalized for public record.
The Tech Race
The adoption of AutoStore systems follows a broader industry trend of replacing manual picking paths with robotic grid-based retrieval to accommodate high-SKU growth. Master Electronics joins a growing cohort of distributors deploying automated density solutions to keep pace with rapid inventory expansion.
Logistics managers and supply chain operators may use this as a reference point for calculating the efficiency gains of robotic storage in aging facilities. The system is currently active, allowing the company to process higher volumes without expanding its existing physical footprint.
The takeaway
The transition demonstrates how high-density robotics can reclaim significant labor hours lost to facility navigation. Industry observers should watch for reported shifts in order processing cycle times as the system reaches full operational maturity in early 2027.
Further reading
For more on how automated systems are reshaping fulfillment, see Robotics.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Supplychain247.
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