Matthews Automation Solutions is a leading provider of material handling systems and software, servicing customers from two North American locations. Our Pyramid | Compass team in Cincinnati, OH provides advanced warehouse execution software (WES) and warehouse control systems that integrate islands of automation and balance work for optimum throughput. Matthews’ Lightning Pick team delivers pick-to-light, put walls, picking carts, and other light-directed systems from Waukesha, WI.
Matthews Automation offers exciting career opportunities to help global brands enhance their manufacturing, distribution and fulfillment processes with innovative warehouse automation including robotics, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and other state-of-the-art technology.
Meet Peter Gerbitz, Lightning Pick’s System Sales Manager.
What team are you on?
I work with the Business Development group at the Waukesha (Lightning Pick) office.
What did you do before working at Matthews?
I began at Lightning Pick in 2007, four years before we were acquired by Matthews. Prior to that I spent eleven years at UPS in various operations and sales roles.
Why did you come to work for Matthews Automation Solutions?
My experience at UPS provided me with a background in logistics and distribution. Matthews provided an opportunity to take that knowledge further inside the distribution center. The objective in both roles was to help customers increase profitability through improved processes in their supply chains.
What is the most exciting aspect of your career with Matthews?
The most exciting aspect of my career is the wide range of customers with whom we work. Every opportunity allows me to learn and understand a new business. Even operations that may appear to be very similar on the surface can be quite different when you dig down one or two levels. Secondly, the culture at Matthews provides us with the flexibility to execute in the best way possible. We enjoy a high level of communication across engineering, development, project management, and sales to provide the best solutions available.
Can you share an interesting project or customer challenge where you helped provide a solution?
I’ve enjoyed working through the unique requirements of some of our 3PL customers, as well as their time sensitivities. Additionally, I had an opportunity to work through a multi-site implementation with major automotive customer, which required unique approaches both in software deployment and project methodology.
What is the most interesting project you are working on right now?
I am working through a multi-faceted solution with an international high-tech distributor. This requires us to go beyond our traditional capabilities to expand the product and meet their needs.
What is your favorite thing about your job?
In addition to working with a very wide range of end users, I enjoy working with cross-functional internal teams to develop solutions tailored to the customer’s needs.
What interesting industry trends have you noticed in distribution and fulfillment techniques and automation?
When I started, the goal was to increase productivity and accuracy so that you could reduce labor costs. Now, the goal is to increase productivity and accuracy because of a very limited labor pool. Customers have also adopted multi-solution approaches to their challenges. The use of various robotic applications is also increasing.
What are your hobbies outside of work?
Traveling and spending time with family, running, skiing, reading.
Can you share some of the different types of brands or industries that you’ve worked with? Are there industries or processes where you see growing opportunities for pick-to-light technology?
Historically our solutions were focused on distribution and fulfillment. We are now seeing more opportunities in the manufacturing and assembly sector. This requires a different approach because the customer’s internal capabilities differ in these markets.
What is your approach to helping customers solve their process challenges?
Focus on the desired outcome and work backwards from there. Always keep the outcome in mind so that the details don’t obscure that outcome.
Based on your experience in the industry what do you think will be the big trend of 2024?
There will continue to be a wider adoption of goods to person solutions. The push for more robotics in all areas will replace some of the more labor intensive processes. Customer returns processing is an area that has received less attention, and will receive more in the future.
You’ve seen how light-directed technologies have evolved over the years. What’s next?
We will continue to see deployment of multiple solutions as part of a single process. There will also be greater adoption of these solutions in what were once considered non-traditional applications such as manufacturing and assembly. Finally, I see solutions growing into other areas such as returns processing.
What is the importance of social media in our industry?
Prospective customers rely on social media and electronic communications to narrow down the field prior to engagement with a solution provider. A poor social media presence may eliminate a company before they have a chance to start.
Are you looking for opportunities for career growth and innovation?
Check out our open jobs! Or contact Matthews Automation Solutions, email: info@matthewsautomation.com
