The Acme of Automation - Acme's journey towards becoming a leader in the logistics industry

Navin Narayan, CEO of Acme, reflects on the company’s journey towards becoming a leader in the logistics industry, with a particular focus on its cutting-edge automation solutions.

Acme has established itself as a leader in the automation and intralogistics sector. The biggest milestone that set this development in motion was establishing the company’s manufacturing and R&D facility in Jebel Ali in 2019. This strategic move enabled the development and delivery of customised automation solutions to meet the specific needs of customers in the region.

Since then, Acme expanded its operations, both domestically and internationally, with offices in Saudi Arabia, India, and Colombia. It also strengthened its other verticals such as software solutions, maintenance services, and advanced robotics. Overall, its team strength has grown from 60 in 2019 to over 220 employees today. 

The company’s participation in the Industry 4.0 Forge Program, aiming to propel innovation, efficiency, and global competitiveness in the UAE’s manufacturing sector, is another major milestone. This collaborative initiative between the Ministry of Industry & Advanced Technology (MoIAT), du, and the Emirates Development Bank (EDB) aligns perfectly with its vision of driving innovation and transformation. As the first SME enrolled in the program, Acme is honoured and excited to contribute to the UAE’s industrial growth.

Acme differentiates itself through a combination of factors. Being the only solution provider with inhouse manufacturing capabilities in the Middle East allows it to offer highly customised solutions. This, coupled with the company’s strong engineering expertise, in-house software development capabilities, and a deep understanding of local and regional market dynamics, sets it apart.

Moreover, Acme’s commitment to quality, reliability, and after-sales support has earned it a strong reputation in the industry. The company is not just providing solutions; it is building long-lasting partnerships with its customers.

Balancing costeffectiveness and high service levels has become a constant challenge in today’s competitive logistics landscape. At the same time, the logistics industry has undergone a dramatic transformation over the years, driven primarily by technological advancements. While the core principles of logistics – transportation, storage, and distribution – remain constant, the tools and strategies used to achieve these goals have evolved significantly.

Warehouse automation solutions, like the ones Acme provides, have become indispensable in optimising operations, improving efficiency, and reducing costs to remain competitive. The company supports its customers in navigating these changes by finding the best suited advancement for their individual business size and operational process. The aim is to leverage technology to create more connected, efficient, and sustainable supply chains – which can happen gradually with scalable solutions.

One significant trend, AI, has already been revolutionising the logistics industry for a while. Its capabilities however have advanced significantly. Acme continuously improves its systems and software to help its customers leverage the huge potential in using technology to automate tasks, improve efficiency, and enhance decisionmaking in logistics operations. The company’s software offers advanced AI-powered predictive analytics to forecast demands processes and improving productivity.

Sustainability is another key trend shaping the industry. Through innovative automation solutions, businesses can significantly reduce their environmental impact. The company’s solutions can lead to 20-30% reduction in energy consumption, minimised waste, improved resource efficiency and reduced resource consumption. Additionally, automation can enhance traceability and transparency throughout the supply chain, enabling better decisionmaking and waste reduction.

Acme’s focus for the next few years is clear: innovation, expansion, and customer satisfaction. It is committed to pushing the boundaries of automation technology, especially in areas like robotics and AI. 

The goal is to empower businesses across various industries to optimise their operations and achieve sustainable growth. To democratise automation, the business is developing modular solutions that are both flexible and affordable. Specific solutions for smaller businesses and the growing number of start-ups will help make automation more accessible.

This interview was published in Logistics News ME in December 2024