Automation is only a part of it. As you say an automated warehouse anyone can buy from an automated warehouse provider assuming they're big enough to afford it.

Automation is only a part of it. As you say an automated warehouse anyone can buy from an automated warehouse provider assuming they're big enough to afford it. It's about operational efficiency. It's the culture. Things like kaizen, optimising everything, having teams that work out exactly where the products should go etc etc. How should the packing stations be positioned, how should they be designed? What slows down the workers on the packing stations? Small improvements to the tools they every day. Constant small improvements everyday. Anyone should be able to suggest improvements. Try multiple experiments, most of them won't work. It builds up like a flywheel overtime, and then other companies won't be able to catch up. Companies try to replicate it, buts its harder then just buying a warehouse from company x. Frankly you need the leadership for it, and whole lot of time, money and patience for it to pay off.