Nordfab's automated material handling system is drawing attention from logistics experts well beyond our core industry of Process Ventilation. Over the past year, we've welcomed more than a dozen visiting groups — including prospective customers of our automation partner VisionNav Robotics — from the automotive, retail, food processing, fluid solutions, and consumer products sectors. These teams come to see firsthand how our unique solution supports our business goals and to learn from our experience as VisionNav's first live operational deployment in the U.S.

Our collaboration with VisionNav Robotics has been a true partnership. As one of the U.S. pilot sites for their Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGVs), Nordfab worked alongside VisionNav to prove and refine the technology in a real-world manufacturing environment. During facility visits, we now provide project procedure guidance and operational feedback to both VisionNav and their prospective customers, sharing insights from our hands-on experience.

What makes our implementation unique is the fully integrated, end-to-end automation we've achieved. Our AGVs are completely integrated with our warehouse management system (WMS) driven activities. Our internal teams across IT, engineering, and logistics designed and trained the processes that allow our three AGVs — Orville, Wilbur, and Amelia — to operate seamlessly within our existing systems.

Here's how it works: When production completes a full pipe cart, our WMS automatically calls Orville or Wilbur to pick it up and deliver it to a designated inventory location in the warehouse. These same AGVs replenish empty pipe carts back to production, or to an empty cart staging area, when needed — all directed automatically through the WMS. Amelia handles other products in a similar manner, ensuring smooth material flow across our entire operation. This integration ties together warehouse management, resource planning, and other systems to create a cohesive automated solution.

Our automation is not only a showcase of Nordfab's commitment to efficiency but also a key piece of what makes Nordfab Now® possible. By streamlining how material moves through our facility, our teams can focus on every aspect of customer service. This increased efficiency in both production and shipping ensures that customers receive all of our products — Quick-Fit® ducting and made-to-order items — exactly when they need them.

These visits highlight the innovation happening inside our walls and the growing interest from across industries in how integrating these technologies can drive greater overall results. For Nordfab, delivering on our promise of Fast, Friendly and Reliable, this automation allows us to maintain our focus where it matters most: on our customers. That customer-centric approach is ultimately what resonates with the professionals visiting our facility.

This progress reflects the dedication of our teams across production, engineering, IT, and logistics — and the collaborative partnership with VisionNav Robotics that made it all possible.