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Warehouse automation has become one of the most significant developments in the UK materials
handling sector. As warehouses, distribution centres, and fulfilment operations face rising labour
costs, space constraints, and growing customer expectations, automation is now central to improving
speed, accuracy, and operational resilience.
Gable Business Finance specialises in arranging asset finance for warehouse automation projects
across the UK. We support businesses investing in automated systems that manage storage, picking,
sorting, and internal movement of goods, allowing them to modernise operations without placing
strain on cash flow.
In materials handling environments, warehouse automation refers to the use of integrated mechanical,
electrical, and software-driven systems to reduce manual intervention in the movement and control of
goods. These systems are designed to operate continuously, accurately, and safely within high-volume
facilities.
Automation supports core materials handling objectives, including:
For many UK businesses, automation is no longer optional; it is essential for remaining competitive
in logistics, retail, manufacturing, and e-commerce supply chains.
AS/RS solutions use cranes, shuttles, or robotic carriers to store and retrieve goods from high-density
racking systems. These systems maximise vertical space, making them ideal for facilities with limited
floor area.
AMRs navigate warehouses using sensors, cameras, and mapping technology. They transport totes,
pallets, or cartons between workstations without fixed routes, offering flexibility in dynamic
environments.
AGVs follow predefined paths to move goods between specific points. They are widely used for
repetitive, high-volume transport tasks within manufacturing plants and large distribution centres.
Conveyors and sorters form the backbone of many automated warehouses, enabling continuous flow of
goods between receiving, storage, picking, packing, and dispatch.
Robotic arms equipped with vision systems are increasingly used for picking, packing, palletising,
and depalletising, reducing manual handling and improving consistency.
Warehouse automation represents a significant capital investment, but it delivers long-term
operational benefits that outweigh initial costs.
Common drivers for automation include:
Automation allows businesses to scale output without a proportional increase in labour, creating a
more predictable and resilient operating model.
Warehouse automation projects often involve multiple cost elements, including equipment, software,
installation, integration, and commissioning. Gable Business Finance structures funding solutions
that reflect the full scope of these investments.
We arrange finance for:
Our approach ensures that businesses can implement automation without compromising working capital
or operational flexibility.
Hire purchase allows businesses to acquire automated equipment and spread the cost over time while
working toward ownership. This is often used for long-life assets such as AS/RS systems and fixed
automation infrastructure.
Finance leasing provides access to automation without immediate ownership. It is suitable for
businesses seeking balance sheet flexibility or planning future system upgrades.
Operating leases are used where technology refresh cycles are short. This approach allows businesses
to return or replace systems at the end of the term.
Existing automated equipment can be refinanced to release capital for expansion, system upgrades, or
additional automation phases.
Complex automation projects may require a combination of finance types to cover hardware, software,
and installation costs under a single structured solution.
Warehouse automation is heavily dependent on software, including warehouse management systems (WMS),
warehouse control systems (WCS), and robotics control platforms.
Gable Business Finance arranges funding for:
This ensures that digital infrastructure is aligned with physical automation assets.
Gable structured a finance lease for AMRs and conveyor systems to support high-volume order picking
during peak trading periods.
A blended finance solution covered AS/RS equipment, racking, and warehouse control software within a
single funding structure.
Hire purchase funding enabled investment in automated sortation while maintaining cash flow for
inventory.
AGVs were financed to support just-in-time delivery of components across a large production site.
Warehouse automation finance requires an understanding of both materials handling operations and
complex funding structures. Gable Business Finance combines sector expertise with access to specialist
lenders.
We manage the full process, from initial assessment to completion, ensuring automation investments
are commercially viable and sustainably funded.
If your materials handling business is planning to invest in warehouse automation, Gable Business
Finance can help structure the right funding solution.
© 2026 Gable Business Finance. Specialist asset finance brokers for the UK materials handling sector.