WoodTrees Sdn Bhd., likens itself to a system integrator (SI), that assists its clients to design, develop, and deliver automated and manual solutions to the logistics, distribution centre, and warehouse industry.
Despite being incorporated right in the middle of the pandemic, May 2021, WoodTrees has existed as another business entity outside Malaysia that serves markets like China and Thailand.
Its Managing Director, Gan Soon Kiat said, “We decided to come back during the pandemic period because we noticed demand for logistics services getting higher, due to increased e-commerce activity.”
Soon Kiat spoke of having studied the Malaysian market during that time and discovering that compared to other countries, the level of automation warehouses and logistics, is very low.
“So, what we are trying to do is bring back all those technologies to Malaysia and start to the use of automation, here.”
Soon Kiat spoke of having studied the Malaysian market during that time and discovering that compared to other countries, the level of automation warehouses and logistics, is very low.
The core team at WoodTrees have members with average 10 to 15 years experience in e-commerce, food and beverage, retail, and pharmaceuticals.
The main components
While a warehouse management system (WMS) can greatly help with productivity and accuracy of products to pick and deliver to customers, it is only part of a larger process.
There are many types of equipment involved in automation, and the role of a system integrator is to integrate these equipment together so that they can work cohesively.
For example, an automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS or AS/RS) consists of a variety of computer-controlled systems for automatically placing and retrieving loads from defined storage locations.
Examples of these systems include conveyors and automated guided vehicles.
There are many types of equipment involved in automation, and the role of a system integrator is to integrate these equipment together so that they can work cohesively.
Demand for these solutions were indeed high and within the first four months of operations, WoodTrees managed to win close to RM3 million contract value in total.
Warehouse for banks?
WoodTrees’ core focus is upon the warehouse industry and distribution centres. “We are not involved in any bank matters, but we do have experience implementing automated solutions for the banking industry.”
Soon Kiat shared about a project for China’s central bank in Beijing over ten years ago.
The project required a fully-automated warehouse for the bank to store bank notes, coins, and heritage items.
When the bank needs to scrap old notes, WoodTrees automates this process for them as well. The solution is able to move one pallet of 36 cartons of fiat currency notes to the notes processing machine.
Upping awareness
Soon Kiat understands that it is important to have continuous education about automation, especially in Malaysia’s higher institutes of learning.
The company’s plan in the next few years is to set up branches in Southeast Asia countries and also China, and man them with teams that can locally consult and service clients in those countries.
WoodTrees is also in the midst of activating an equity crowdfunding (ECF) exercise to raise funds for the business.
