Investing in a smart warehouse? Here's why leasing pays off

Stagnation is decline - especially in logistics. Where warehouses once ran on muscle power and forklifts, robots and smart systems are increasingly taking over. But automation is an investment that companies don't just conjure out of their back pockets. How do you finance the future of logistics without blocking your cash flow?

"Automation is no longer a luxury, it's a must," says Guido Guiking, Senior Sales Manager at DLL. "But not every company can or wants to invest millions in one go. That's where leasing comes in: you spread the costs, but benefit directly from
the benefits."

Smart systems

A warehouse worker lifts boxes from spot A to spot B - that used to be the norm. Nowadays, robots are increasingly taking over that task. Not only that: smart systems themselves determine the most efficient route, warehouses work faster and with fewer errors. But that technology comes at a price. "A fully automated warehouse quickly costs tens of millions," Guiking says. "Companies used to buy equipment or finance it through a bank loan. Now they prefer to opt for leasing. That means no big expense all at once, but a monthly payment. That way you can use the automation right away."

Flexible investing without risk

A warehouse full of robots or a self-steering transport system may sound like future music. Because for many companies, the barrier to investment is high. "Leasing lowers that threshold," Guiking explains. "You don't have to advance large sums of money."

This is also of interest to listed companies. DLL offers "off-balance sheet" leasing solutions, where investments are not on the balance sheet. "This keeps financial ratios favorable and leaves room for other strategic expenditures," says Guiking.

LogiMAT: a gamechanger for the industry

This year, DLL is making its first official appearance at LogiMAT, Europe's largest logistics trade fair. "We have been coming there for years, but now we are there ourselves with a booth," Guiking says. "That says something about how big the demand has become. Companies are looking more actively than ever for smart investment models."

Why? Because logistics is accelerating. The industry is growing, e-commerce is exploding and automation is no longer optional. "More than half of warehouses still operate largely manually, but that's going to change dramatically in the coming decades," Guiking predicts. "Automation has only just begun. Within a few decades, manual warehouse work will be largely a thing of the past." With smart leasing solutions through DLL, companies can make that future
embrace it right now.