First Supply Utilizes Exotec’s Robotic Systems in New Distribution Center for Next-Morning Delivery

Exotec announced its Skypod-powered warehouse automation system enabled First Supply to offer next-morning delivery at scale for orders placed by 5:00 PM.

Exotec said that the timely delivery represents a major milestone for the business and the industry.

Industrial supplies delivered the next day

As a wholesale supplier of HVAC, builder, plumbing, lighting, waterworks, and other industrial supplies, Exotec said that First Supply faces intense demand to support contractors as they keep projects moving.

Exotec said that its automation system enabled First Supply to vertically concentrate products in its state-of-the-art distribution center and accelerate robotics-supported picking, allowing faster shipments while improving operating conditions for the employees.

Exotec said that key expected business impacts on warehouse operations include:

• Enabling 4x growth in storage capacity without expanding existing racking footprint, while maintaining 30% additional capacity for future hardware expansion
• 10x faster picking speeds compared to manual processes
• Handling over 14,000 SKUs within the Skypod system
• Decreasing travel time and distance, improving productivity for operators

After just over one year of operation, Exotec said that the results are felt by both First Supply's customers and its branch network. With overnight replenishment capability supported by the Skypod system, Exotec said that the company can meet next-day order demand, which can be as much as 20% of the new distribution center's daily volume.

"Having a significant percentage of each day's order volume delivered via the ultra-fast and efficient Skypod system enables First Supply to meet peak season and peak daily demand," said Steve Baer, chief logistics officer of First Supply. "The system is productive, efficient, and will enable the facility to grow with minimal disruption over time.”

In addition to meeting daily peak demand, Exotec said that its warehouse automation technology helped First Supply with an exceptional situation. When massive flash flooding hit southeastern Wisconsin in summer 2025, the company said that First Supply quickly delivered products that the community needed to hundreds of affected customers.

By implementing modern warehouse automation into its omnichannel distribution center, Exotec said that First Supply was not only able to stay competitive, but also build on its 5th-generation legacy in the region.

"First Supply's results with Exotec show how the right automation strategy can deliver significant operational and business value, not only for today's operations, but for what's to come, too," said Stanislas Normand, managing director of Exotec North America. "By improving efficiency, supporting growth, and strengthening day-to-day execution, they built a more resilient and scalable operation. We are proud to support their progress and excited to keep building on it together."

Check out the full case study with First Supply and Exotec here.