Wincanton selects 5 innovation start-ups

Those selected following the Pitch Day on 7th June will go on to be mentored by Wincanton’s Senior Leadership Team, with the chance to trial their solution in a live environment.

First launched in 2017, the W2 Labs programme is open to early-stage businesses who are invited to pitch proposals which use digitalisation to drive change across supply chains. The programme is designed to accelerate innovation and discover emerging ideas.

This year’s programme saw Wincanton invite 15 start-ups to pitch in the following areas:

• Digital Fulfilment: solutions to revolutionise modern day fulfilment
• Environment, social and governance (ESG): long-term, sustainable supply chain solutions
• Wildcard: technology and robotics to transform supply chains

The 5 finalists are:

Find & Order (digital fulfilment)

Find & Order, based in France, uses its interactive mapping editor and algorithms to optimise picking operations in warehouses and stores, achieving increased product collection efficiency of up to 20%.

Nomagic (digital fulfilment)

Nomagic, based in Poland, provide smart pick and place robots to eliminate labour-intensive tasks in eCommerce and retail warehouses while reducing cost per pick.

Automedi (ESG)

Automedi, based in Manchester, make functional products and services out of waste plastics, cutting out up to 8% CO2 of conventional supply chains by radically reducing the energy needed to manufacture and transport goods long haul.

Navflex Inc. (Wildcard – technology and robotics)

Navflex, based in the US, has developed technology that autonomously loads and unloads any trailer, container or box truck with plug-and-play autonomous mobile robot (AMR) technology that does not require infrastructure changes. The business promises to increase safety and productivity while reducing product damage.

Pick8ship Technology AG (Wildcard – technology and robotics)

Pick8ship Technology AG, based in Switzerland, has developed a robotics fulfilment solution for managing storage, picking, sorting and shipping using a single, fast, modular system. The technology reduces operating costs by 40-60%.

Paul Durkin, chief customer and innovation officer at Wincanton and member of the judging panel, commented: “This year’s event was one of Wincanton’s most compelling W2 Pitch Days to date. We saw a broad range of ideas and innovation, which made judging the competition an exciting challenge. 

“This was the first time that we’ve hosted the event at our new W2 Innovation Centre, in the WEB, Wincanton’s eFulfilment centre in Rockingham. We were thrilled to host participants, customers and colleagues both in-person and remotely, making this year’s event a truly hybrid and inclusive experience.

“We look forward to collaborating with the start-ups, supporting them as they develop innovative supply chain solutions for the future.”

This year’s W2 Labs was delivered in partnership with global corporation innovation specialist L Marks.