Register for Tomorrow’s Warehouse and check out a wealth of content
Check out a wealth of expert speakers and 50+ innovative exhibitors at the upcoming Tomorrow’s Warehouse Event at the Coventry CBS Arena on 15 May. The conference provides insight across a broad range of warehouse challenges.
By Simon Duddy, Editor, Logistics Matters
THE MISSION of Tomorrow’s Warehouse is to help answer your warehouse operation queries. That’s why we have assembled a crack team of experts to present unique insights on a variety of key issues in the warehouse. If you have a problem and if you can find your way to the CBS Arena in Coventry on 15 May, then maybe you can reap the benefits of these insights.
But that’s not all you will get. As well as expert speakers, the event is home to more than 50 top drawer exhibitors, offering solutions to even the most complex and intractable problems you may encounter in your operations.
The exhibitors are there to help you in partnership, and focus on a variety of areas of expertise from automation and robotics to MHE; from doors to temporary buildings; from safety solutions to flooring, IT, packaging and more.
Each of our exhibitors is determined to take your processes and make them more efficient and seamless in partnership with you and your teams. On top of all this, you will earn CPD points by attending the event, working handily towards your annual total. Attending the event means you get six hours of CPD accredited educational content.
Let’s look at the content in a bit more detail. Each session features presentations and ends with a discussion panel.
Automation
Are SMEs getting enough out of warehouse automation? The Tomorrow’s Warehouse Conference asks Why are SMEs struggling to adopt mobile warehouse robotics?
Adam Coventry spent 20+ years at Boots, most notably as Director of Warehousing and is well versed in the use of automation and robotics to make a sleek logistics operation fly at an enterprise level. He asks, why are SMEs struggling to implement mobile robotics when the tech is there? Adam explores obstacles from personnel to integration, expertise and more, as well as suggesting ways forward.
Warehouse automation is a key topic for professionals to understand, which is why the topic has keen emphasis in the Tomorrow’s Warehouse Conference.
Gavin Roberts, General Manager Business Development and Milena Chambers, Head of Warehousing and Automation Solutions Design, both of Yusen Logistics will examine the key role of warehouse automation at the new multi-user, sustainable distribution centre in Northampton from Yusen Logistics, which is anticipated to be fully operational by the end of 2025.
Transformation
Session 2 focuses on transformation, as perhaps the one certainty in UK warehousing and logistics is change.
James Turpin, Director of Logistics, NHS Supply Chain will tackle the topic of Modernising warehousing to cope with a fast pace of change. He will outline how the NHS is modernising its warehousing and logistics to cope with increasingly diverse challenges, with best practice lessons for all warehouse operators.
Financing and investment trends are also key and will be explored by Simon Evans, Finance Director—UK and Ireland, XPO Logistics. The UK’s warehouse sector has experienced significant transformation in recent years, driven by substantial investments and evolving operational strategies. Simon Evans will dive deep into some of the key trends and how XPO Logistics uses its continuous improvement ethos to incorporate those into its daily operations, such as optimising AI tools and automation and having an unremitting focus on sustainability. These trends are reshaping the logistics landscape, positioning the UK to meet the evolving demands of modern commerce.
Developing further how technology can have a transformative impact, Martin Brickell, Director and Practice Lead for Fulfilment & Physical Logistics, Accenture UKI will help attendees understand AI applications for warehousing. Martin will explore opportunities for AI in the warehousing sector, sorting out the hype from the reality. Join the session to see how you can benefit from new technology, help build realistic expectations around AI and learn what you need to do to be ready.
Focus on Ransomware
In Session 3, we highlight the danger of ransomware attacks with emphasis on recovery and prevention. IT services provider Blue Yonder was hit with such an attack just ahead of Peak 2024. This had ramifications for many of its customers, including Morrisons.
encrypt a computer virus
Ross Eggleton, Group Director for Logistics, Supply Chain and Technology, Morrisons will present on how the logistics team at the grocer pulled together to rebuild an IT framework in record time and keep the operation in business. Unmissable! This will be followed by Gavin Knapp, cyber defence technical lead and James John, incident response manager, both at Bridewell, giving an expert view on how to prevent, prepare for and respond to ransomware attacks.
Awards
Session 4 will be dedicated to honouring winners at The Warehouse Transformation Awards. These are the people and teams who are at the cutting edge of achieving results in the warehouse and logistics sector. Be sure to stick around for the drinks reception and to give winners the plaudits they deserve.
Property
We are delighted to present a second seminar content stream at the conference. This will focus on Warehouse property, with Session 1 examining opportunities in the key warehouse property location, the Midlands.
Our opening presentation is from Alex Thompson, Associate Director – Industrial & Logistics, Avison Young. Location is paramount and for the logistics sector this often means securing the best space in the Midlands. Research from Avison Young put the total amount of Big Box grade A take-up at 7.4 million sq ft in the first six months of 2024 with the East Midlands accounting for 73% of the activity. Alex covers the Midlands and will talk us through the market patterns and opportunities in this key region.
Next up, we get the lowdown on Big Box Developments. Jonathan Wallis, Director and Head of Northampton Office, Tritax Big Box Developments will explore what you need to consider when relocating your warehouse. Jonathan will outline the challenges and opportunities that loom large in any decision making process, drawing on recent case studies from the region and using data from the company’s own Future Spaces research.
Mike Bristow, UK Managing Director for Logistics, Unipart will provide an invaluable warehouse occupier perspective.
Session 2 of the Warehouse Property seminar theatre tackles ESG. Will Laing, Partner, Newmark will present on environmental challenges such as renewable energy, energy availability, and the state of the national grid and how the right property can help. Deanna Greenhalgh, Director of Development, SAS Energy, EDF Renewables’ C&I Solar Division, will outline the process of making solar energy work for your facility. Dr. Arthur O’Sullivan, Managing Director of Linde Material Handling (Ireland) Ltd, shares his insights on switching to a solar energy solution for industrial buildings. Linde MH are currently in the process of switching to solar by 2027 and with three of 27 sites already up and running, Arthur demystifies the myths and shares his progress on the project to date.
Register free
As well as learning in a relaxed environment, the Tomorrow’s Warehouse Event represents a valuable opportunity to network with hundreds of your peers. It is free to register for the Tomorrow’s Warehouse Event. We would love to see you at the Coventry CBS Arena on 15 May for a day focused on innovation in the warehouse.
Many thanks to our amazing event partners for their help in putting together this conference and exhibition:
