Andy Smith

Working with companies to identify and implement innovative automation technologies within their logistics operations

I joined Hatmill in January 2020 after gaining over 10 years experience in automation. Five of the years were within the area of logistics predominantly looking after projects on behalf of Asda.

My career started with numerous engineering design-based roles and I completed a graduate training scheme with a large telecoms company. I then moved into the field of automation, designing bespoke systems to perform lab-based tests of pharmaceutical products, mainly asthma inhalers. This is where my passion for automation started and where I learned how to use the latest automation technologies to solve unique problems.

I then transferred into a position within an academic setting running a business unit out of the Department of Engineering at the University of Hull that offered consultancy services to industrial clients. This role allowed me to gain experience in Sales, Marketing and general business management. During this time, I successfully completed an MBA with distinction. Having spent 8 years in this role and working with large clients such as Ideal Boilers, Ideal Standard and Ping as well as small start-ups the time was right for me to move back into the field of automation, which had always been a keen area of interest for me. I joined a consultancy working with Asda to help roll out new automation technologies within their warehouses and I looked after innovation for their engineering logistics team. I also spent a year working within FMCG business on the rollout of new automation projects. More recently I have a focus on AMR technology specifically identifying opportunities for Asda to rollout the technology within their warehouses.

Key experience

• Engineering workstream lead on the implementation and rollout of a new sortation facility for a large retail organisation.
• Engineering lead for the implementation of a bespoke box wrapping machine within a 3PL facility.
• Identified opportunities to roll out robotic item picking, robotic case picking, AGVs and I’m currently working with a client on AMR sortation and goods-to-person projects.