Amazon starts deploying CMC CartonWrap tech
Amazon is rolling out machines from Italian firm CMC that pack orders much faster than humans.
According to a Reuters report, the e-commerce giant has in recent years been adding the CartonWrap technology to a handful of warehouses, which scans goods coming down a conveyor belt and envelops them seconds later in boxes custom-built for each item.
“Amazon has considered installing two machines at dozens more warehouses, removing at least 24 roles at each one, two people involved in the project said. These facilities typically employ more than 2,000 people. That would amount to more than 1,300 cuts across 55 US fulfilment centres for standard-sized inventory. Amazon would expect to recover the costs in under two years, at $1 million per machine plus operational expenses, they said,” Reuters writes.
Dave Clark, Amazon’s Senior Vice President of Worldwide Operations, took issue with the report, however, noting on Twitter: “Perhaps a diff headline.. AMZN tests tech that makes packages smaller with less overall cardboard waste...For all this fear of lost jobs the #1 issue for most of us is finding enough people to fill the jobs we have and the new ones we are creating”.
Whilst an Amazon spokeswoman said in a statement. “We expect the efficiency savings will be re-invested in new services for customers, where new jobs will continue to be created.”
CMC, meanwhile, declined to comment.