Automation Built for the Complexity of Apparel
Deliver the best customer experience with industry-leading speed and flexibility
Trusted by more than 50 leading brands, including:
Omnichannel Fulfillment. High Return Rates. SKU Explosions. Seasonal Volatility.
Apparel supply chains operate under structural complexity that most automation systems weren’t built to handle. When warehouse architecture doesn’t match the order profile, operations become fragile — warehouse footprint grows, labor increases, and performance suffers.
Exotec delivers a flexible, high-performance solution purpose-built for apparel — enabling retailers and brands to simplify operations, increase efficiency, and scale confidently across channels.
Why Traditional Automation Struggles in Apparel
Apparel order profiles break conventional warehouse logic:
- One garment can represent dozens of SKUs.
- There are no stable “fast movers.”
- Store replenishment and e-commerce must coexist under one roof.
- Soft goods resist perfect cubing and density optimization.
- Returns are structural — not occasional.
To solve for these challenges, Exotec designs and delivers flexible, reliable, and high-performance automation systems built specifically for the apparel industry.
The Exotec Warehouse
From Complexity to Operational Elegance
Many apparel automation projects turn complex — pallet AS/RS, manual zones, and multiple sorters stitched together. This is heavy in space, touches, and risk.
Exotec simplifies this architecture. With standard designs, consistent interfaces, and centralized software, performance can scale without accumulating integration debt.
Each and Case Picking in One System
Most separate store replenishment and e-commerce into different systems — one for case picking, another for each picking. That means building for both peaks at once, which grows floor plans, equipment, and complexity.
Exotec runs both flows in a single system sized for the higher peak. The result: more space efficiency, fewer handoffs, and simpler scalability.
Built for SKU Volatility — Not Stable Pareto Curves
Apparel doesn’t follow stable fast- and slow-mover logic. Size fragmentation, seasonality, and trend cycles constantly reshape demand.
Exotec’s random-access system architecture gives immediate access to any SKU at any time, without relying on velocity assumptions. As assortments shift, the system adapts — no constant re-slotting, no outdated zoning logic.
Native Sequencing for Store-Friendly Deliveries
Garments must be delivered in logical groups to reduce in-store handling and protect presentation standards. Traditional systems depend on large outbound sorters to achieve this, adding space, cost, and complexity.
Exotec builds sequencing directly into the Skypod system, so orders exit in store-ready sequence — reducing heavy downstream infrastructure, touches, and overhead.
Manage Returns as an Integrated Flow
In e-commerce, return rates can exceed 30%, and many brands struggle to make returned inventory sellable again.
Exotec enables fast reintegration without disrupting picking. By minimizing touches and avoiding unnecessary consolidation, returns re-enter stock quickly — protecting revenue and service levels.
What Our Customers Say
“Having the ability to quickly access a lot of SKUs, do all those combinations quickly, pick any type of order, any day, at any moment is setting us up well for success going forward.”
Learn How We Design and Deliver Systems for Apparel
As an end-to-end systems integrator and OEM, Exotec has delivered dozens of automated apparel sites worldwide.
Want to see how we tackle SKU volatility, sequencing, returns, and space optimization? Let’s walk you through our approach and real-world results.
Apparel Customer Stories
Insights
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of warehouse automation for retailers?
Warehouse automation, particularly in the form of goods-to-person systems, provide retailers with a myriad of advantages, fundamentally transforming the efficiency and effectiveness of their operations. Automation expedites the most repetitive and labor intensive tasks within the warehouse, such as order picking, packing, and inventory management, resulting in significant boosts in productivity and faster order fulfillment times. This heightened efficiency extends to reduced likelihoods of human errors, increasing accuracy in order fulfillment.
Furthermore, the implementation of automation in retail warehouses leads to substantial enhancements in storage density. These automated systems are meticulously engineered to optimize space utilization, achieving strategies such as maximizing vertical space with tall storage racks and minimizing aisle space. Beyond space optimization, they facilitate advanced inventory management through real-time visibility, allowing precise tracking of the movement of healthcare items within the facility.
Ultimately, the integration of warehouse automation empowers retailers to adapt to evolving market demands, improve customer satisfaction, and stay competitive in the dynamic retail landscape.
Can the Skypod system be easily scaled up or expanded in retail warehouses?
Absolutely. The Skypod system caters to the dynamic needs of the retail industry with scalability in mind. The modular nature of our systems facilitates seamless integration and expansion through the decoupling of throughput from storage. This enables you to expand storage capacity without necessarily increasing throughput capabilities. The result is a more cost-effective, need-based approach for capital expenditure savings.
The versatility of our system extends to enabling omni-channel fulfillment. Whether you’re incorporating an e-commerce channel, modifying SKU numbers and structures, or transitioning from B2B to B2C fulfillment, our system is adept at meeting your current needs and adapting swiftly as your business model evolves in the future. Its seamless scalability is purpose-built to align with your expanding retail warehouse automation needs.
How does the Skypod system enhance retail warehouse efficiency?
The Exotec Skypod system transforms warehouse operations by enabling robots to autonomously navigate in three dimensions between our storage racks and picking stations. This innovative goods-to-person approach eliminates the need for heavy, static machinery, or digging for bins, streamlining the storage and retrieval process. The result is a significant increase in operational speed, where Skypod robots can reduce order processing time by up to 5X compared to manual methods.
What customer support does Exotec offer for retail clients?
As retail fulfillment solutions providers, we take pride in our commitment to being reliable partners and delivering unwavering customer support. Our dedicated teams are committed to offering comprehensive maintenance, software updates, and operational guidance.
Our system’s performance is contractually guaranteed for 10 years from the first day of operation. We achieve this through robust and modular system designs, routine maintenance, and 24/7/365 monitoring from our global control centers. Exotec’s track record as a trusted partner is evident in our Partners You Can Trust article, highlighting our commitment and reliability.
How does Exotec differentiate itself from other retail automation solution providers in terms of technology and innovation?
Exotec is at the forefront of technological innovation, boasting over 100 international patents and a substantial commitment to research and development. A notable 70% of our innovations concentrate on software enhancements, guided by direct feedback from our retail customers. This iterative process ensures ongoing improvements to our systems, aligning seamlessly with the dynamic demands of the retail industry.
We are honored to receive recognition for our commitment to technological innovation, having recently been awarded and featured on esteemed lists such as the CNBC Disruptor 50 for both 2022 and 2023.
See Our Full Range of Services
Let’s Transform Your Warehouse
Reach out to one of our team members to learn how our elegant robotics solutions maximize efficiency and provide the scalability needed in the apparel industry.