Design of KPIs for evaluating the environmental impact of warehouse operations: a case study

The aim of this work is to introduce a system for environmental monitoring within a 4.0 automated warehouse. In the era of globalization, the emphasis on meeting customer needs and establishing a sustainable supply chain has become essential for companies striving to maintain competitiveness in the market. Logistics, in this context, has emerged as a pivotal factor in gaining a competitive advantage. The challenge for companies lies in assessing the impact of ongoing changes and developing a robust logistics strategy to optimize operational efficiency, reduce costs, and mitigate environmental impact. The automation of warehouses is often the solution adopted by companies to meet these new market demands. Through a meticulous analysis of costs and benefits, many companies have recognized the advantages offered by automated solutions in designing their warehouses. However, it is crucial to evaluate not only the economic aspects but also those related to sustainability. European regulations and growing environmental concerns necessitate companies to adopt sustainable practices, reducing environmental impact, energy resource usage, and promoting social well-being. In this context, performance monitoring using specific key performance indicators (KPIs) becomes crucial. They allow for the assessment and monitoring of operational efficiency, resource utilization, and the environmental impact of the automated warehouse. This enables the identification of areas for improvement and the implementation of strategies for sustainable warehouse management. The availability of data that automated warehouses can provide through horizontal integration with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems further facilitates this process. These systems generate important logistics-related data, such as management control, budget, or production data.