It is well to be noted that WWS happens to be a leading supplier of material handling and warehouse automation solutions, having almost $935 million in revenue in 2025. Projects, services and products include automated sortation systems, palletisers and conveyors, as well as robotics solutions and aftermarket services along with software. Supported by over 3,300 employees, the business has been established on the legacies of Intelligrated and Transnorm and has a worldwide customer base.

The investment from AIP in Warehouse and Workflow Solutions follows on from its investment in Trew, which is a U.S.-based manufacturer and integrator when it comes to automated material handling systems and software.

A partner at AIP, Murray Grainger, says that “as demand for warehouse automation continues to grow, driven by e-commerce, labour shortages, and supply chain digitization, WWS is well-positioned to capitalize on these tailwinds. Built on the strong foundation of the Intelligrated platform, the business combines leading technology, a broad installed base, and longstanding customer relationships. We look forward to partnering with the WWS and Trew teams to create a complementary platform that builds on these strengths and supports the company’s next phase of growth.”

Trew CEO Alfred Rebello remarks that “Intelligrated and Transnorm are highly regarded brands in warehouse automation, built on the strength of their people and long-standing customer relationships. We are excited to partner with the WWS team to build on these foundations and continue delivering for customers.”

The deal is conditioned by customary closing terms, which include receipt of required regulatory approvals, and is anticipated to close in H2 of 2026. Evercore is serving as the exclusive financial advisor to AIP, which has retained Ropes & Grey LLP as transaction and financing counsel along with Baker Botts LLP as their regulatory counsel.

The initiative is a demonstration of the focus of Accenture on the application of leading-edge robotics as well as physical AI in real-world industrial settings, helping organizations progress from experimentation to real-world deployment at scale. It also discusses how humanoid robots can support the development of future workforce standards and create fresh sources of revenue across industries.

Interestingly, the pilot was conducted at the warehouse of Vodafone Procure & Connect in Germany’s Duisburg, wherein humanoid robots were introduced to work alongside the current warehouse systems. The robot was assigned inspection tasks by the SAP Extended Warehouse Management system and subsequently performed visual inspections independently throughout the facility.

The pilot involved scenario tests where the humanoid robot was able to recognise inefficiencies in operations, security hazards, and possibilities for improvement across standard warehouse procedures. It identified misplaced or damaged products, verified pallet stacking along with weight distribution, identified unused space for storage, and detected potential hazards like obstructions in aisles or incorrectly arranged pallets. The robot pushed its results and suggestions directly back into the SAP system, providing real-time visibility and more accurate operational decision-making.

SAP led the integration of the robots into the warehouse management system, and Accenture developed and put into operation the robot intelligence and operational framework using its experience in physical AI, advanced robotics, and digital twin environments.

According to Advanced Robotics lead, Accenture, Christian Souche, “Trained in digital twins and powered by physical AI, humanoid robots can reduce worker injuries and other warehouse safety incidents and lower overtime costs and the dependency on temporary labour. Equally important, Vodafone Procure & Connect will gather valuable data and insights on robot deployment and performance as a basis for a future humanoid workforce solutions business.”

The head of Embodied AI & Robotics, SAP, Dr Lukasz Ostrowski, said that “At Vodafone Procure & Connect, we’re leveraging Joule, SAP’s AI execution fabric and interface for embodied AI, connecting robots to end-to-end processes and business logic and enabling them to know why, when and how to act. By grounding actions in trusted SAP data, we can automate health and safety incident reporting and real-time inventory validation to protect workers and strengthen compliance through consistent auditable workflows.”

Global Network Logistics director at Vodafone Procure & Connect, Reinhard Stefan Plaza Bartsch, said that “Through this pilot, we are exploring how humanoid robotics can improve efficiency, safety and operational visibility in our warehouse operations. It also gives us a clearer view of how these capabilities could scale across our supply chain and support future business models.”

Manufacturing, Operations and Physical AI global lead at Accenture, Prasad Satyavolu, “Our work in collaboration with SAP is a great example of how holistic deployment of humanoid robots from simulation and training to warehouse deployment and integration with SAP data creates a closed loop with transactional systems.”

The humanoid robotics in warehousing used in the pilot program happen to be powered by the Robot Brain solution from Accenture, which enables them to communicate naturally with human operators by means of voice, gestures and text. They are trained in digital twins of warehouse environments which are built on Physical AI Orchestrator by Accenture, based on NVIDIA Omniverse libraries, the Mega NVIDIA Omniverse Blueprint as well as the NVIDIA Metropolis libraries and Blueprint for video search and summarization in terms of execution of visual AI agents to go further than basic repetitive functions and acquire new skills by way of reinforcement and imitation learning.

In a live warehouse environment, the trial on humanoid robots for warehouse operations in a logistics facility in Germany saw AI-enabled humanoid robots working on inspection and monitoring tasks. The machines were to work alongside existing systems to identify misplaced goods, defective stock, obstructed aisles and underutilised space for storage.

Warehouse management software fed the operational data from the robots, giving managers more immediate information on inventory movement, safety hazards, and space optimisation. The model aims to enhance decision-making and lessen the load of manual inspection.

The move is symbolic of a larger corporate trend toward physical AI, in which smart machines go beyond software automation to operate in real-world environments. In contrast to traditional fixed robotics, humanoid systems are currently being tested for their capability to operate in dynamic spaces designed for human workers.

The technology also offers potential productivity gains, faster response times and enhanced workplace safety for firms managing complex supply chains, especially when warehouses feel the squeeze of labour shortages and increasing fulfilment demands.

The partnership also highlights the convergence of enterprise software, connectivity and robotics. SAP offers systems integration, Vodafone offers logistics know-how and connectivity infrastructure and Accenture offers deployment and AI enablement.

Warehouses are one of the more pragmatic early adoption areas for humanoid robots, say industry analysts. Repetitive inspection duties and real-time tracking result in immediate use cases with measurable returns.

The pilot, for Accenture, Vodafone and SAP, signifies a move from robotics experimentation to economically relevant automation, with humanoid machines being trialled as a scalable component of future supply chain operations.

Accenture, SAP and Vodafone Procure & Connect will be demonstrating their work at Hannover Messe 2026.

The initiative is an example of the focus of Accenture in terms of applying advanced robotics along with physical AI in real-world industrial settings, assisting organisations transition from experimenting to practical implementation at scale. It also looks at how human-like robots can help evolve future workforce models and at the same time unlock new revenue opportunities throughout various industries.

It is well to be noted that the pilot project of humanoid robots in warehouse environments was implemented at the warehouse of Vodafone Procure & Connect in Duisburg, Germany, where humanoid robots were set up to work with existing warehouse systems.

The robot, apparently, was programmed to perform inspection tasks using the SAP Extended Warehouse Management system and was able to conduct visual inspections autonomously throughout the facility.

During the humanoid robots in warehouse environments, the humanoid robot identified errors, safety risks and optimization opportunities in warehouse processes. It detected misplaced or damaged products, evaluated pallet stacking and weight distribution, identified unused storage space and pinpointed potential hazards like obstacles within the aisles or misaligned pallets. The robot reported its results and suggestions directly into the SAP system, providing real-time visibility and better-informed operational decision-making.

While SAP was responsible for integrating the robots into the warehouse management system, Accenture brought its knowledge in physical AI and advanced robotics as well as digital twin environments in order to design and implement the robot intelligence and operational framework.

Advanced Robotics lead, Accenture, Christian Souche stated that “Trained in digital twins and powered by physical AI, humanoid robots can reduce worker injuries and other warehouse safety incidents and lower overtime costs and the dependency on temporary labour. Equally important, Vodafone Procure & Connect will gather valuable data and insights on robot deployment and performance as a basis for a future humanoid workforce solutions business.”

Head of Embodied AI & Robotics, SAP, Dr Lukasz Ostrowski remarked that “At Vodafone Procure & Connect, we’re leveraging Joule, SAP’s AI execution fabric and interface for embodied AI, connecting robots to end-to-end processes and business logic and enabling them to know why, when and how to act. By grounding actions in trusted SAP data, we can automate health and safety incident reporting and real-time inventory validation to protect workers and strengthen compliance through consistent auditable workflows.”

The global network logistics director at Vodafone Procure & Connect, Reinhard Stefan Plaza Bartsch, said, “Through this pilot, we are exploring how humanoid robotics can improve efficiency, safety and operational visibility in our warehouse operations. It also gives us a clearer view of how these capabilities could scale across our supply chain and support future business models.”

Prasad Satyavolu, Accenture’s global lead for manufacturing, operations and physical AI, opined that “Our work in collaboration with SAP is a great example of how holistic deployment of humanoid robots – from simulation and training to warehouse deployment and integration with SAP data – creates a closed loop with transactional systems.”

The pilot’s humanoid robots are powered by Accenture’s Robot Brain solution that enables them to interact instinctively with human operators via voice and gestures as well as text inputs. They are trained in digital twins of warehouse environments that are built on the Physical AI Orchestrator of Accenture, which makes use of the Mega NVIDIA Omniverse Blueprint and the NVIDIA Metropolis libraries and Blueprint for video search and summarisation for the implementation of visual AI agents so as to go beyond the single repetitive functions and, at the same time, learn new skills by means of imitation and reinforcement learning using the NVIDIA Omniverse libraries.

GXO is the pilot’s operator and is bringing the next generation of AI-driven material handling to a real-world and high-volume setting through this first autonomous industrial truck. The pilot is meant to show customers how advanced automation can make their operations much safer, more cost-effective, as well as extra productive.

According to Patrick Kelleher, the CEO of GXO, “As we integrate advanced AI into our operations, our priority is creating real, measurable impact. Exploring autonomous capabilities in live warehouse pilots is part of how we continue to innovate and build an increasingly intelligent and resilient supply chain. Across our business, we’re demonstrating the commercial benefits for our customers as we deploy the next generation of AI innovation in logistics.”

GXO’s most recent AI pilot is a big step forward in the strategic partnership between KION, a top provider of industrial trucks and warehouse solutions, NVIDIA, as well as Accenture. The goal is to bring AI innovation, digital twins, and perception technology right out of the lab and into real-world supply chain operations. GXO’s operational environment is the testing ground where these technologies go from getting tested to being used in business to being implemented quickly at sites.

The GXO CEO as well as the KION CEO take the stage at NVIDIA GTC 2026

On March 18, 2026, Patrick Kelleher, CEO of GXO, joined Rob Smith, CEO of KION Group, for a panel discussion at NVIDIA’s GTC 2026 Conference in San Jose and spoke about how AI is changing supply chains around the world and how GXO is the first real-world pilot site for KION’s NVIDIA-powered physical AI technology by KION.

According to new research from Cushman & Wakefield, deals for warehouses bigger than 500,000 square feet went up 32% from one year to the next. After a slowdown in 2023 and 2024, this rebound appears after a time when warehouses grew quickly throughout the pandemic.

In 2025, companies took up 113 million square feet of space in newer, bigger logistical and storage facility buildings. The report said that was 64% of the total for the whole country.

Third-party logistics companies and manufacturers were responsible for a lot of the activity, accounting for almost two-thirds of large warehouse leasing.

Jason Price, the head of logistics and industrial research for Cushman & Wakefield in the Americas, said, “This is a clear return of the large-format tenant. Companies are consolidating operations, upgrading to higher-quality facilities, and making more strategic decisions about where and how they deploy space.”

Consolidation and new buildings

It is well to be noted that the move toward warehouses bigger than 500,000 square feet especially the modern logistics buildings is one of the main trends that is driving demand. A lot of businesses are shutting down several smaller or older structures and moving their operations to newer Class A distribution centers that are built for automation as well as handling large amounts of goods.

These buildings usually have higher clear heights, more electrical power, and layouts that make it easier for robots along with other warehouse technologies to work.

The trend is also helping build-to-suit development grow. Cushman & Wakefield said that build-to-suit projects went up by 11% in 2025. Almost one-fifth of large warehouse leases were for buildings that were made just for that tenant.

There are at present 14% more large build-to-suit projects going on than there were in 2025. This could lead to even more demand in 2026.

Tenants are drawn to markets with lower rents

Cost pressures are also changing where businesses put their biggest distribution centers. The report says that 71% of big leases, which were signed in 2025, were in areas where rents were lower than the national average. Almost two-thirds of them were in markets where prices were at least 20% lower as compared to the U.S. average.

That trend demonstrates that businesses are moving increasingly to inland and lower-cost logistics hubs rather than coastal markets where prices are higher.

Price adds that “With occupancy tightening and new supply limited, tenants are getting more strategic about both location and design,” Price said.

Apparently, the vacancy rates for big warehouses also went down by 140 basis points year over year. This is yet another indication that demand for modern logistics facilities is indeed picking up following the pandemic, which slowed things down.

Market Valuation and Growth Trajectory

The industry is currently positioned at a critical growth juncture. Following the 2024 valuation, the market is projected to rise to USD 21.14 billion in 2025. Over the subsequent decade, the market is expected to achieve a valuation of USD 45.6 billion by 2035. This growth represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 7.99% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2035. This upward trend is primarily fueled by an escalating demand for real-time visibility and the necessity for automation in complex global logistics networks.

Primary Market Drivers

Several pivotal factors are accelerating the adoption of digital supply chain solutions globally.

1. Real-Time Visibility and Transparency A primary driver is the critical need for end-to-end visibility across the entire supply chain. Organizations require immediate data regarding inventory levels, transportation status, and supplier performance to maintain a competitive advantage. Current data indicates that approximately 70% of organizations now prioritize real-time tracking capabilities to optimize inventory management and reduce lead times.
2. Integration of Advanced Technologies The rapid deployment of AI and machine learning is fundamentally reshaping how supply chains operate. These technologies facilitate predictive analytics and automated decision-making, allowing firms to optimize processes and significantly lower costs. Research suggests that organizations leveraging AI in their supply chains can achieve a reduction in operational costs of up to 20%. Furthermore, the digital supply chain market forecast 2035 highlights that the integration of IoT sensors provides valuable insights for logistics planning and environmental monitoring.
3. Sustainability and Regulatory Compliance Environmental responsibility has moved from a peripheral concern to a central market driver. Companies are implementing digital platforms to track carbon emissions, optimize transportation routes, and minimize waste to meet consumer demands and regulatory standards. Nearly 75% of consumers express a willingness to pay more for environmentally friendly products, prompting businesses to adopt “green” supply chain practices. Additionally, as supply chains cross international borders, digital solutions help navigate complex trade and safety regulations, with compliance-focused firms reducing their risk exposure by up to 30%.

Segmental Market Insights

The market is segmented by deployment models, solution types, industry verticals, and functional capabilities, each exhibiting unique growth patterns.

Deployment Models: Cloud vs. Hybrid

The market offers cloud, on-premise, and hybrid deployment options. Currently, cloud-based deployment dominates the market share due to its inherent scalability, cost-efficiency, and capacity for real-time data sharing across distributed networks. While on-premise solutions remain relevant for organizations with extreme security requirements, there is a significant shift toward cloud platforms. However, the hybrid model is identified as the fastest-growing segment. Hybrid solutions provide the agility to scale resources via the cloud while maintaining critical operations within a secure on-premise infrastructure.

Solution Types: Planning and Visibility

By solution, the market is categorized into planning and optimization, execution and control, collaboration and automation, and analytics and visibility. Planning and optimization currently represent the largest segment, as these tools are essential for aligning supply with demand and enhancing overall operational efficiency. Conversely, the analytics and visibility segment is the fastest-growing. This surge is driven by the urgent need for data-driven decision-making and the utilization of big data to identify bottlenecks and optimize performance.

Industry Verticals: Manufacturing and Retail

The manufacturing sector holds the largest share of the digital supply chain market. This dominance is due to the widespread adoption of automation, predictive maintenance, and digital technologies in production processes. Meanwhile, the retail and e-commerce sector is the fastest-growing vertical. Driven by consumer demand for faster delivery and personalized experiences, retail organizations are aggressively investing in digital systems to improve inventory management and order fulfillment. The healthcare sector is also emerging as a significant segment, focusing on the secure management of medical supplies and data.

Functional Capabilities: Warehouse and Inventory

Warehouse management stands as the largest segment within functional capabilities, benefiting from advancements in automation that optimize storage and distribution. However, inventory management is the fastest-growing functional segment. Organizations are increasingly using AI and IoT to achieve real-time inventory visibility, which is essential for reducing both stockouts and the costs associated with excess inventory.

Regional Forecast and Analysis

The global market exhibits varying degrees of maturity and growth potential across different regions.

• North America: This region is the current market leader, holding approximately 45% of the global share. Its position is bolstered by advanced IT infrastructure and a high rate of digital technology adoption among major organizations.
• Europe: Accounting for roughly 30% of the market, Europe focuses heavily on innovation and sustainability. Regulatory pressures from the EU regarding environmental standards are driving organizations to adopt digital solutions for transparency and compliance.
• Asia-Pacific: This region is expected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period. Rapid industrialization, expanding e-commerce, and significant infrastructure investments in countries like China, India, and Japan are primary contributors to this expansion. Currently, it holds about 20% of the global market share.
• Middle East and Africa: While currently holding a smaller share of approximately 5%, this region is evolving as governments invest in technology to diversify their economies and improve efficiency.

Emerging Opportunities and Future Shifts

The digital supply chain market forecast 2035 identifies several transformative technologies that will define the next decade of operations.

1. Blockchain for Traceability Blockchain technology is gaining significant traction as a solution for improving transparency and security. By creating immutable transaction records, it allows companies to verify product authenticity and ensure regulatory compliance. This is particularly vital in industries like pharmaceuticals and food, where traceability is critical for safety.
2. Digital Twin Technology Organizations are increasingly adopting digital twin technology to create virtual models of their supply chain networks. These simulations allow businesses to predict potential disruptions and optimize their operations before implementing changes in the physical world.
3. 5G and Edge Computing By 2035, the integration of 5G connectivity and edge computing will enable faster data processing and improved communication between partners. This infrastructure will support more advanced autonomous logistics systems and real-time responsiveness.

Market Challenges and Barriers

Despite the optimistic digital supply chain market forecast 2035, several challenges may hinder widespread adoption.

• Implementation Costs: The high initial investment required for infrastructure, software, and skilled personnel remains a significant barrier, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises.
• Legacy Systems: Many organizations struggle with integrating modern digital platforms into outdated legacy infrastructure. This process is often technically complex and time-consuming.
• Security Concerns: As supply chains become more data-dependent and cloud-based, they become more vulnerable to cyber threats. Maintaining robust cybersecurity measures is essential for protecting sensitive data and maintaining stakeholder trust.

Future Outlook to 2035

The future of the digital supply chain market is characterized by a shift toward total operational resilience and customer-centricity. By 2035, the market is expected to be robust, driven by the convergence of AI, blockchain, and IoT. Organizations will continue to prioritize flexibility and agility to navigate the increasing complexity of global trade. Ultimately, the focus on efficiency, transparency, and environmental responsibility will not only define competitive dynamics but also transform the digital supply chain into a fundamental pillar of modern global commerce.

The expansion addresses rising demand across the cross-border supply chain. Mexico’s export growth continues to accelerate, boosted by advances in the main producing regions. In Chihuahua, which is just across from El Paso, exports were $47.551 billion in the second quarter of 2025, approximately 36% higher than the same period a year ago.  Much of that surge comes from high-tech goods, especially computer and communication equipment, which continue to anchor the region’s role as a major manufacturing hub.

Jay Cornmesser, Vice President for Mexico Cross-Border Services at C.H. Robinson, highlighted the vital role of the area. “We continue to see El Paso emerge as a vital gateway for not just high-tech freight, but also automotive, medical devices, and healthcare products,” Cornmesser said. He noted that Juárez, located just across the border, maintains a substantial maquiladora manufacturing base. “Our expansion in El Paso is a direct response to the evolving needs of our customers in today’s dynamic trade landscape.” The necessity for this added capacity was driven by growth in both nearshoring and overall freight volume, highlighting the pressure on the entire cross-border supply chain.

Cornmesser, speaking to Logistics Management, emphasized the dramatic increase in trade volume, citing that Mexico’s exports had jumped over 13% from last year, with Chihuahua leading the way due to its nearly 36% rise in export value. He confirmed that industries like tech, automotive, and medical devices are primarily driving this increased volume and require logistics support that can keep pace and scale. The company believes having this extra capacity in the El Paso Logistics Hub, near the Juárez manufacturing hub and the booming activity from Chihuahua, gives shippers a major advantage.

The ultimate goal, according to Michael Castagnetto, president of North American Surface Transportation at C.H. Robinson, is to give shippers more flexibility when global trade remains unpredictable. The new capacity supports businesses of all sizes, including those that are first-time market entrants requiring assistance with customs, transportation, local requirements, and warehousing. “With 35+ years of proven expertise in Mexico, boots on the ground, AI-driven solutions, and 2 million square feet of strategically located facilities on the border, we set the standard for end-to-end service,” he said. “We’re not just reacting to change—we’re anticipating it.” This investment solidifies C.H. Robinson’s leadership in the North American cross-border supply chain.

The new location offers modern operating conditions and allows for a significant increase in storage and processing capacity. The Bacau warehouse has 10 access ramps and 2 drive-ins for rapid loading and unloading of vehicles, thus ensuring an efficient operational flow and reducing handling times.

Another important advantage is the contract logistics services available in the new center. With a storage capacity of up to 6,000 pallets, Raben offers customers in the region the opportunity to outsource their storage, handling, co-packing or labeling processes in a modern space, equipped with advanced goods management and traceability systems.

„We designed this new logistics center as a scalable solution, with potential for growth and adaptation according to market needs. We want the Bacău warehouse to become a regional benchmark for operational efficiency and quality in distribution”, declared George Clipa – RND Manager at Raben Logistics România.

The Raben national network in Romania currently has 10 warehouses interconnected by daily connections. Each of the 10 warehouses manages shipments at a regional level, which allows for short collection and delivery times. With the warehouse in Bacău, the total area of ​​warehouses in Romania exceeds 25,000 m.p. The warehouses in Romania are connected daily with the rest of Raben warehouses in Europe to cover the increased international transport needs of Romanian customers. Additionally, for goods exceeding the limit of 8 europallets transiting the groupage network, Raben Romania is recording a sustained growth in LTL/FTL solutions. There is a multitude of routes for which Raben can support very competitive prices for a long period of time, which leads to high cost predictability and implicit stability.

„The new location offers us an important operational advantage, thanks to quick access to the main road infrastructure, but also by expanding the range of services we can provide in this area.”, said Codrin Ciobanu – Regional Manager at Raben Logistics România.

With this relocation, Raben Logistics Romania once again demonstrates its direction oriented towards sustainable development, efficiency and long-term partnerships. The new warehouse in Bacău is ready to become an essential logistics hub for the entire eastern region of the country.

Kuehne+Nagel is investing in five new fulfilment centres, adding 100,000 sqm of capacity, located in Gurgaon, Kolkata, Nagpur, Mumbai and Rajpura. This expansion increased the company’s total fulfilment centre footprint in India to nearly 500,000 sqm and will generate more than 1,500 new jobs nationwide, contributing to the growth of the local economy.

Kuehne+Nagel distribution centre expansion India
India is projected to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2030, with strong growth across high-tech, automotive, consumer goods, and healthcare sectors. Rising demand in these industries is driving the need for scalable, high-performance logistics infrastructure.

The new fulfilment centres are equipped with automation technologies, including telescopic conveyors and high-performance sorting systems, enabling a 75% increase in peak order handling capacity.

The locations span tier-1 cities Mumbai and Kolkata, tier-2 hubs Gurgaon and Nagpur, and Rajpura in tier-3 — aligned with India’s multi-city industrial growth. Gurgaon and Nagpur continue to evolve as growth hubs for multiple industries, while Rajpura, is gaining traction in manufacturing and distribution.

“India is a key growth market for Kuehne+Nagel,” said Damian Raczynski, Senior Vice President, Contract Logistics, Kuehne+Nagel Asia Pacific. “We invest where our customers are — and this expansion strengthens our ability to serve high-demand sectors like consumer and healthcare with speed, reliability, and flexibility.”