The logistics automation market is projected to reach $65.14 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 10.0% from 2024 to 2031. The growth of the logistics automation market is driven by the rapid growth in e-commerce and the increasing incorporation of robots in logistics. However, high capital investment requirements and the lack of standardization in the logistics sector restrain the growth of this market.
Furthermore, the digital transformation of the logistics industry, advancements in sensor technologies, and the outsourcing of logistics are expected to generate growth opportunities for market stakeholders. However, the lack of skilled operators and privacy & security concerns are major challenges impacting the market growth.
Additionally, an increasing focus on improving last-mile deliveries and the growing use of AI in supply chain and logistics management are prominent trends in the logistics automation market.
Based on offering, the global logistics automation market is broadly segmented into hardware, software, and services. In 2024, the hardware segment is expected to account for the largest share of the global logistics automation market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to strong growth in e-commerce, changes in consumer behavior, increasing investments in logistics facilities for optimized process efficiency, and the increasing use of robots across supply chains.
However, the software segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Factors such as the increasing use of advanced technologies in logistics software, market players' increasing focus on developing and enhancing logistics software, and the easy integration of logistics automation software with other supply chain management software are expected to drive the growth of this segment.
The growing focus of market players on product development and enhancement to optimize logistics operations, enhance supply chain visibility, and help companies make informed decisions is expected to drive segment growth. For instance, in November 2022, Amazon Web Services, Inc. (U.S.) launched AWS Supply Chain, a new application that helps businesses increase supply chain visibility to make faster, more informed decisions that mitigate risks, lower costs, and improve customer experiences.
Based on type, the global logistics automation market is segmented into inbound logistics and outbound logistics. In 2024, the inbound logistics segment is expected to account for the larger share of the global logistics automation market. The large market share of this segment can be attributed to the comprehensive inbound logistics solutions offered by key players, along with the increasing adoption of advanced equipment and facilities to streamline core logistics processes.
Companies are changing the end user perspective of using multiple systems by offering one complete inbound logistics solution, which is expected to enhance inbound logistics activities. For instance, Fujitsu Limited (Japan) provides a complete integrated inbound logistics solution, in partnership with One Network Enterprises (ONE) (U.S.). It enables multiple, real-time processes to be managed seamlessly and information shared securely across the logistical supply chain.
However, the outbound logistics segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This segment's growth is attributed to key players' increasing focus on developing automated solutions for optimizing packaging and the growing need to optimize order fulfillment, delivery, and shipment processes to increase the effectiveness of outbound logistics operations.
Based on automation mode, the global logistics automation market is segmented into fully automatic systems and semi-automatic systems. In 2024, the semi-automatic systems segment is expected to account for the larger share of the global logistics automation market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to key market players' growing focus on providing semi-automatic systems for facilities currently running manual operations and the advantages of semi-automatic systems over manual logistics operations, such as increased productivity and cost-effectiveness and the systems' ability to adapt to changing conditions or unexpected events.
However, the fully automatic systems segment is expected to record the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This segment's growth is attributed to enterprises' increasing emphasis on fully automating their logistics operations from partially automated systems. Additionally, fully automatic systems are capable of performing tasks more quickly and with greater precision, contributing to their rising adoption.
Based on application, the global logistics automation market is segmented into inventory management, packaging, order management, cargo management, transportation management, and other applications. In 2024, the inventory management segment is expected to account for the largest share of the global logistics automation market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the growing need to optimize inventory levels among enterprises and the increasing adoption of logistics automation systems for inventory management.
Moreover, the inventory management segment is expected to record the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This segment's growth is attributed to the growing use of automated storage and retrieval systems for inventory storage and the increasing adoption of RFID and barcodes for tracking inventory levels across fulfillment centers and warehouses.
In addition, key players operating in this market are focusing on product development and enhancement to accelerate the adoption of robots to boost productivity and minimize inventory handling times. For instance, in March 2022, Vanderlande Industries B.V. (Netherlands) launched a new automated piece-picking robot as an addition to its Smart Item Robotics (SIR) portfolio of technologies, which fits with Vanderlande’s strategy of accelerating the use of robotics for warehousing.
Based on end user, the global logistics automation market is segmented into retail & e-commerce, manufacturing, healthcare & pharmaceuticals, food & beverage, automotive, aerospace & defense, fashion & apparel, courier, express, and parcel, ports & warehouses, and other end users. In 2024, the retail & e-commerce segment is expected to account for the largest share of the global logistics automation market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to changing customer expectations, retailers' focus on increasing their omni-channel presence, and the growing deployment of logistics automation solutions among retail & e-commerce companies to improve effectiveness and profitability.
However, the automotive segment is expected to record the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The growth of this segment is attributed to the adoption of intralogistics equipment and automation technologies by automotive players, the growing focus on the efficient tracking of automotive parts across the automotive industry supply chain, and increased activity in the automotive sector due to the rising adoption of electric vehicles.
The growing focus of automotive businesses on investing in digitalization is contributing to segment growth. For instance, in July 2021, Jaguar Land Rover Automotive plc (JLR) (U.K.), an automotive manufacturer, initiated the second phase of its new logistics operations center in collaboration with Dematic (U.S.), an intralogistics innovator, in the West Midlands, England, wherein Dematic began the installation of its intralogistics equipment and automation technologies at the center.
Based on geography, the logistics automation market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. In 2024, Asia-Pacific is expected to account for the largest share of the global logistics automation market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the growing urbanization and industrialization, increasing fast delivery expectations of customers, and the increasing adoption of logistic automation systems to enhance the efficiency of fulfillment and distribution centers.
Moreover, Asia-Pacific is expected to record the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Factors such as companies' growing focus on enhancing their omnichannel presence to stay ahead of the competition and increasing logistics automation across the region are expected to drive the growth of this regional market in the coming years.
Companies' growing focus on developing automation solutions for warehouses to achieve faster and more flexible movement of goods is contributing to segment growth. For instance, in December 2021, the Rhenus Group Hong Kong warehouse collaborated with Geekplus Technology Co., Ltd. (China) to co-develop smart logistics solutions through the automation of warehousing operations with autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).
Key Players
Some of the key players operating in the logistics automation market are Dematic (U.S.), Daifuku Co., Ltd. (Japan), Honeywell International Inc. (U.S.), and Vanderlande Industries B.V. (Netherlands), KNAPP AG (Austria), SSI SCHAEFER Group (Germany), BEUMER Group GmbH & Co. KG (Germany), Konecranes Plc (Finland), FORTNA Inc. (U.S.), Oracle Corporation (U.S.), SAP SE (Germany), TGW Logistics Group GmbH (Austria), Swisslog Holding AG (Switzerland), Slip Robotics (U.S.), and Locus Robotics (U.S.).
Key questions answered in the report
- Which are the high-growth market segments based on offering, type, automation mode, application, and end user?
- What was the historical market for logistics automation?
- What are the market forecasts and estimates for the period 2024-2031?
- What are the major drivers, restraints, and opportunities in the logistics automation market?
- Who are the major players in the logistics automation market?
- What is the competitive landscape like in the logistics automation market?
- What are the recent developments in the logistics automation market?
- What are the different strategies adopted by the major players in the logistics automation market?
- What are the key geographic trends, and which are the high-growth countries?
- Who are the local emerging players in the global logistics automation market, and how do they compete with the other players?
Scope of the Report
Logistics Automation Market Assessment, by Offering
- Hardware
- Automated Vehicle Systems
- Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems
- Automated Sorting & Conveyer Systems
- De-palletizing/Palletizing Systems
- Automatic Identification & Data Capture Systems
- Automated Container Handling Equipment
- Packaging Systems/Machines
- Other Hardware
- Software
- Cloud-based
- On-premise
- Services
- Consulting Services
- Deployment & Integration Services
- Support & Maintenance Services
Logistics Automation Market Assessment, by Type
- Inbound Logistics
- Outbound Logistics
Logistics Automation Market Assessment, by Automation Mode
- Fully Automatic Systems
- Semi-automatic Systems
Logistics Automation Market Assessment, by Application
- Inventory Management
- Packaging
- Order Management
- Cargo Management
- Transportation Management
- Other Applications
Logistics Automation Market Assessment, by End User
- Retail & E-commerce
- Manufacturing
- Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
- Food & Beverage
- Automotive
- Aerospace & Defense
- Fashion & Apparel
- Courier, Express, and Parcel
- Ports & Warehouses
- Other End Users
Logistics Automation Market Assessment, by Geography
- North America
- U.S.
- Canada
- Europe
- Germany
- U.K.
- France
- Italy
- Spain
- Rest of Europe
- Asia-Pacific
- China
- Japan
- India
- South Korea
- Rest of Asia-Pacific
- Latin America
- Middle East & Africa
Table of Contents
Companies Mentioned
- Dematic (U.S.)
- Daifuku Co., Ltd. (Japan)
- Honeywell International Inc. (U.S.)
- Vanderlande Industries B.V. (Netherlands)
- KNAPP AG (Austria)
- SSI SCHAEFER Group (Germany)
- BEUMER Group GmbH & Co. KG (Germany)
- Konecranes Plc (Finland)
- FORTNA Inc. (U.S.)
- Oracle Corporation (U.S.)
- SAP SE (Germany)
- TGW Logistics Group GmbH (Austria)
- Swisslog Holding AG (Switzerland)
- Slip Robotics (U.S.)
- Locus Robotics (U.S.)
