Rapidly growing warehouse automation specialist Breathe Technologies has appointed Phil Houghton as Sales and Marketing Director and Mike Codd as Business Development Manager.
A former board Director of KNAPP UK, Houghton has over 30 years’ experience, having also held senior positions at Vanderlande, Wincanton, Christian Salvesen and Clipper Logistics.
He joins Breathe Technologies, which provides integrated warehouse automation systems, software and services, following seven years at KNAPP UK, where he built a sales team that tripled revenues.
A qualified mechanical and production engineer, Houghton has worked on a range of major projects across the retail, logistics and e-commerce sectors, including the design, implementation and optimisation of a 750,000 sq ft import centre for Asda.
Mike Codd joins Breathe Technologies from consultancy and systems integrator Active8 Robots, where he was Director responsible for consultative technical sales of robotic systems into the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, aerospace, and defence sectors.
Codd also has over three decades experience in the warehouse automation market, having held senior positions in Hoerbiger Origa and Vanderlande.
Houghton and Codd will be responsible for supporting the ongoing growth of Breathe Technologies’ existing customers such as Pets At Home, GXO and QVC, in addition to capitalising on new market opportunities.
Established in 2009, Breathe Technologies creates innovative, high-performance systems using a proven warehouse process improvement methodology, powerful proprietary software and automation equipment and robotics.
Its software’s AI algorithms provide real-time co-ordination and control of machinery to continuously optimise key warehouse processes. It also provides a flow of edge data insights to the wider warehouse ecosystem, including valuable business intelligence that supports business critical decision making.
Phil Houghton, Sales and Marketing Director at Breathe Technologies, said: “It is incredibly exciting to join a scaling business with such a strong track record of innovation, value creation and successful delivery.
“By blending specialist insight, modular software and diverse physical automation systems, the business has established itself as an agile strategic partner.
“The ability to deliver end-to-end warehouse automation and scalable process-by-process improvement means Breathe Technologies’ solutions are relevant to a range of different market sectors and business requirements.
“Mike and I are looking forward to helping drive the business forward and working with customers to deliver a step change in productivity, efficiency and customer service.”
Claire Umney, Managing Director of Breathe Technologies, said: “Attracting high-calibre industry talent like Phil and Mike is evidence of our growing reputation in the market.
“Both bring unparalleled levels of insight and experience across the design, implementation, optimisation and maintenance of warehouse automation solutions.
“They are joining us at a crucial time for the business. We’ve made a significant investment in creating an integrated, software-enhanced proposition that can support customers throughout their automation journey.
“Phil and Mike’s experience, mentorship and focus on our customer’s success will help us take our business to the next level.”
Breathe Technologies recently implemented a new autonomous mobile robot storage and retrieval system for online retailer RangePlus. Working in conjunction with delivery partner Geek+, the solution is delivering a 300% improvement in picking rates and has enabled the business to fit 50% more SKUs in the same space.
It also recently worked with academics at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) to develop a new online resource. The Warehouse Automation Maturity Assessment tool ensures warehouse and logistics providers, manufacturers and retailers identify where automation will have the most impact across capacity, performance, costs and risk management.
