Smart Warehousing, a US warehousing and fulfilment company, has opened an innovation hub in its original headquarters in Edgerton, Kansas.

The aim is to foster partnerships with warehousing automation companies that will use the Kansas facility to test the latest equipment in real-world scenarios.

The hub is attached to a 46,000-square-metre warehouse, allowing Smart Warehousing to test and optimise its technology and automation in-house before deploying it to over 34 national warehouse locations.

“More than anything else, the innovation hub was built with our customers in mind,” said Smart Warehousing CEO Carl Wasinger. “Today’s supply chain is all about speed, and the hub allows us to develop, test, optimise and deploy the latest technology that makes fulfilment quicker and more accurate.”

After moving its headquarters to Overland Park, Kansas, in August, Smart has been slowly transitioning its old HQ into a testing and training facility where it perfects proprietary software and automated tools in real time. Because the hub is connected to one of Smart’s national warehouses, the company can immediately implement the updates in-house.

The hub perfects its technology through a six-step process: project focus and alignment with company vision; research; concept development; concept testing; impact measurement; and rollout. This launch should solidify Smart’s emphasis on technology and automation moving forward.

“Twenty years ago, we started as a warehousing company that used some technology,” said chief technology officer Learie Hercules. “Now we’re a technology company with some great warehousing. Our software will drive our growth and allow us to take on innovative fulfilment strategies for our clients.”

Along with many wearables, the hub will include testing and development of data-capture devices, machine-learning devices and automated robotics to streamline the picking, packing and shipping process.

The move also allows Smart to make data-driven decisions to drive business, both for itself and its clients.

“If we can deploy technology that helps our clients become more competitive, our mission is accomplished,” Wasinger said.