Study unveils technological changes in logistics industry
The study projects that the industry likely won’t experience dramatic job loss over the next decade, though many workers may see the content and quality of their jobs shift as technologies are adopted for particular tasks.
Are “dark” warehouses, humming along without humans, just around the corner? Predictions of dramatic job loss due to technology adoption and automation often highlight warehousing as an industry on the brink of transformation. But, the potential elimination of many blue-collar jobs is a pressing issue, and raises questions about how workers will fare in the economy of the future.
The UC Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education, Berkeley, Calif., released a study that details how the adoption of new technology can (and will) transform the way warehouses operate over the next 5-10 years. The findings in this report are based on in-depth industry research and extensive interviews with a broad set of stakeholders, including industry analysts and consultants, third-party logistics (3PL) operators, retailers, brands and technology providers.