Global supply chain automation leader Dematic will make its Australian debut of the Dematic Multishuttle® FD System at CeMAT Australia 2026, offering local businesses a first look at technology designed to double warehouse storage capacity without the burden of heavy upfront investment.
The shuttle-based storage solution will be showcased at the three-day trade event in Sydney from 23–25 June, marking the system’s first public appearance in the Australian market.
Designed for low to medium throughput operations, the Multishuttle FD targets a growing pain point across the supply chain sector — how to adopt automation incrementally as business needs evolve, rather than committing to large-scale infrastructure from the outset.
“Across Australia, businesses are under increasing pressure to do more within the same footprint, as rising industrial real estate costs make expansion less viable,” said David Rubie, ANZ Sales Director, Integrated Systems and Mobile Automation at Dematic.
“At the same time, many are hesitant to over-invest in automation before they fully understand an uncertain future demand. The challenge is finding solutions that deliver performance today while remaining flexible enough to scale over time,” he said.
The Multishuttle FD System accommodates case, carton, and tote storage across industries including general merchandise, apparel, spare parts, healthcare, food and beverage, wholesale, and third-party logistics.
The system is particularly suited to operations managing slower-moving inventory, complex SKU profiles, or space-constrained facilities where storage density is a priority.
A key differentiator is the system’s ability to double storage density within the same footprint across facilities up to 24 metres high.
Through double-deep or triple-deep storage configurations, the Multishuttle FD maximises vertical space utilisation — significantly increasing available storage locations and unlocking greater capacity without the need for additional real estate.
“The Multishuttle FD System has been developed to remove traditional barriers to automation,” said Rubie.
“It provides a right-sized entry point, allowing customers to scale in line with their business rather than over-investing upfront, while still achieving meaningful gains in storage capacity and operational efficiency.” he said.
The Multishuttle FD integrates with Dematic’s broader automation portfolio, including goods-to-person solutions, autonomous mobile robots, and advanced software platforms.
This enables businesses to build cohesive, future-ready operations that can adapt to shifting inventory profiles, order volumes, and fulfilment strategies within a single, connected technology environment.
Built on a locally produced Colby rack-supported design, the system combines shuttle and lift technology within a rail-based structure integrated directly into the warehouse.
A lightweight mast enables efficient vertical and horizontal movement across a wide range of facility heights while maintaining high operational performance.
Simplified infrastructure reduces reliance on the complex components typically associated with traditional automated storage systems. A single power source concept further lowers maintenance requirements and improves overall energy efficiency.
