Warehouse Automation for Automotive and Mobility Supply Chains

The automotive and mobility sector is in the midst of a profound transformation. From the rapid rise of electric vehicles (EVs) and connected mobility solutions to persistent inventory shortages and geopolitical disruptions, the industry faces a unique set of supply chain challenges. At the heart of this complexity lies the warehouse—a critical node where efficiency, visibility, and resilience can make the difference between thriving and merely surviving. Publicis Sapient stands at the forefront of warehouse automation, helping automotive clients modernize their operations and unlock new levels of performance through digital innovation.

Automotive supply chains are among the most intricate in the world, spanning global networks of suppliers, manufacturers, logistics providers, and dealers. The sector is currently grappling with:

• Inventory shortages driven by volatile demand and supply shocks
• Geopolitical disruptions impacting sourcing, logistics, and compliance
• The rapid shift to electric vehicles, requiring new supplier relationships and logistics models
• The need for real-time visibility and control to manage risk and meet customer expectations

These pressures demand more than incremental improvements—they require a holistic, digitally enabled transformation of warehouse operations and the broader supply chain ecosystem.

Warehouse automation is a powerful lever for addressing the sector’s most pressing challenges. By modernizing warehouse operations with automation and real-time data, automotive organizations can achieve:

• Real-time inventory visibility across global networks, enabling proactive risk management and rapid response to disruptions
• Resilient operations that can flex and scale to meet evolving market needs, including the transition to EVs
• Scalable fulfillment models tailored to the unique requirements of automotive parts, components, and finished vehicles

Publicis Sapient combines deep automotive industry expertise with advanced technology and data-driven methodologies to deliver:

• Warehouse Operations Assessment: In-depth evaluations of current processes, technology, and labor models to identify inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement.
• Warehouse Design & Simulation: Leveraging digital twins and advanced simulation tools, we design future-ready warehouse layouts and workflows that maximize throughput, flexibility, and cost efficiency.
• Warehouse Automation Strategy: Tailored automation roadmaps, from robotics and automated storage/retrieval systems to AI-powered orchestration platforms, ensure the right level of automation for your business needs.
• Warehouse Management System (WMS) Selection & Implementation: Guidance through the selection, customization, and deployment of best-fit WMS solutions, integrating seamlessly with existing systems and enabling real-time inventory visibility and control.
• Warehouse Labor Optimization: Data-driven insights and intelligent scheduling optimize labor allocation, improve productivity, and reduce costs—while enhancing workforce engagement and safety.

Our methodologies address the root causes of inventory shortages and supply shocks. By implementing real-time inventory visibility and control tower solutions, we enable automotive clients to:

• Monitor inventory and shipments across global networks
• Predict and mitigate the impact of disruptions
• Optimize inventory placement and replenishment

The shift to EVs is transforming the automotive supply chain. We help clients:

• Build new supplier relationships for batteries and electronics
• Redesign logistics and distribution models for new vehicle architectures
• Ensure compliance with evolving regulations and sustainability requirements

Our supply chain control tower solutions provide a 360-degree view of the supply chain, integrating data from suppliers, logistics providers, and dealers. This enables:

• Proactive risk management and rapid response to disruptions
• Data-driven decision-making with actionable insights
• Enhanced collaboration across the supply chain ecosystem

A leading automotive manufacturer partnered with Publicis Sapient to address persistent inventory shortages and the growing complexity of its global supply chain. By deploying a digital control tower and advanced inventory visibility tools, the company:

• Improved on-time delivery and customer satisfaction
• Reduced the impact of supply disruptions
• Enhanced agility in responding to market shifts, including the transition to electric vehicles

For another automotive client, we implemented AI-powered forecasting and scenario modeling, enabling:

• More accurate demand planning
• Optimized inventory levels across regions
• Faster, data-driven responses to geopolitical events and supply chain shocks

What sets Publicis Sapient apart in warehouse automation for automotive and mobility supply chains?

• Deep Industry Expertise: Decades of experience in automotive and mobility, combined with digital transformation leadership
• End-to-End Capabilities: From strategy and design to implementation and ongoing optimization, we deliver across the full supply chain lifecycle
• Data-Driven, Platform-Agnostic Solutions: Integration with your existing systems and best-in-class technology partners
• Outcome-Focused: Success measured by the business outcomes we deliver—improved service levels, reduced costs, and increased agility

In a world where supply chain excellence is a key driver of competitive advantage, Publicis Sapient is your partner for digital warehouse automation in automotive and mobility. Whether you’re navigating the shift to electric vehicles, building resilience against global disruptions, or seeking real-time visibility and control, our proven methodologies and digital solutions will help you achieve operational excellence and customer satisfaction.

Connect with our automotive supply chain experts to start your transformation journey today.

Relevant Links

• Transforming Warehouse Operations Through Digital Automation
• Automatisation des Opérations d’Entrepôt : Un Atout Stratégique pour les Entreprises Européennes (Europe)
• Industry Spotlight: Warehouse Automation in Retail and Omnichannel Fulfillment
• L’automatisation des entrepôts : un levier stratégique pour la distribution omnicanale en Europe (Europe)
• Automatización de Almacenes y Operaciones en Retail: Impulsando la Omnicanalidad en Latinoamérica (LATAM)
• Automatización de Operaciones de Almacén: Impulsando la Eficiencia y la Escalabilidad en la Cadena de Suministro Latinoamericana (LATAM)
• Automatización de Almacenes y Operaciones para el Retail Omnicanal en Latinoamérica (LATAM)
• Warehouse Automation in Automotive and Mobility Supply Chains
• Warehouse Automation for Retail and Omnichannel Fulfillment
• Transforming Warehouse Operations Through Digital Automation