Barrett Distribution adds UnitAI Robotics to its Fulfillment Network

AI-guided automation now runs alongside Barrett's omnichannel fulfillment teams, giving high-growth apparel, footwear, and consumer brands a faster, leaner way to scale without adding headcount or square footage.

TALK TO OUR TEAM

AI-POWERED AUTOMATION

What's Changing Inside Barrett's Warehouses

Barrett Distribution is integrating UnitAI's AI-powered robotics into its fulfillment network. The technology automates piece-picking, putaway, and inventory movement inside Barrett's facilities, working alongside Barrett's fulfillment teams rather than replacing them.

For brands whose order volume has outgrown a manual, labor-based model, the result is lower cost to serve, fewer errors, and more usable warehouse space, without giving up the speed and accuracy customers expect.

Talk to Our Team

OUTBOUND FULFILLMENT

Automation built for
scale, not spectacle

UnitAI's robots handle the repetitive work of moving inventory (picking, sorting, putaway) at a fraction of the footprint and cost of a traditional automated system. Paired with Barrett's fulfillment expertise, that means lower operating costs, fewer manual touches, and warehouse space that works harder.

UNIT robotics device held in a hand, showing its compact size

Small footprint, real throughput

Each unit is small enough to hold in one hand and deploys into as little as 500 square feet, so Barrett can add automation inside existing facilities instead of building new ones.

That matters for brands scaling into peak, a new channel, or a second fulfillment node: capacity comes online faster, and without the capital cost of a full automated storage and retrieval build-out.

12x

Cheaper than legacy piece-handling automation

<12 mo

Typical payback period

500 ft²

Minimum footprint per deployment

35+

Warehouses already running UnitAI through its 3PL network

Figures as published by UnitAI (unitai.co). Actual performance varies by facility, product mix, and volume — not independently verified by Barrett.

REVERSE LOGISTICS

Turning returns into revenue

For high-growth brands, the partnership reaches beyond outbound fulfillment. Barrett's multi-node returns network processes returns closer to the customer, cutting parcel costs, while UnitAI's automation speeds up inspection and restocking.

Merchandise gets back on the shelf faster and returns stop functioning as a pure cost center.

25–40%

Lower cost for brands using forward-deployed returns processing, per UnitAI's published figures.

THE FULL STACK

A full reverse logistics stack, not a bolt-on

Barrett is pairing UnitAI's automation with its existing partnerships with TwoBoxes and Loop Returns, giving apparel, footwear, and consumer product brands purpose-built returns technology layered on top of Barrett's fulfillment network.

Barrett

Omnichannel fulfillment network

UnitAI

Automated storage & retrieval robotics

TwoBoxes

Returns & reverse logistics technology

Loop Returns

Returns management platform

THE DIFFERENCE ISN'T THE ROBOTS

You Don't Become a Robotics Buyer

Adding robotics to a warehouse usually means becoming a robotics buyer first: evaluating vendors, negotiating a separate contract, managing the WMS integration, and owning the risk if deployment runs long. That work doesn't move to your team here.

UnitAI's technology runs inside operations Barrett already manages, evaluated, integrated, and monitored by the same team handling your fulfillment. For brands weighing automation, the result is access to it without adding a new vendor relationship or a new integration project to your plate.

HOW UNITAI ROBOTICS WORK

Robotics That Work Alongside Your Team

UnitAI's AI-guided robots handle piece-picking, putaway, and inventory movement across Barrett's fulfillment floors, working alongside existing teams rather than replacing them.

The result is a lower cost-to-serve, fewer picking and putaway errors, and warehouse space that works harder without the added footprint of manual expansion.

UnitAI's robotics also power reverse logistics alongside TwoBoxes and Loop Returns, scaling across Barrett's multi-node, nationwide fulfillment network.

AI-Guided Piece-Picking

Automated Putaway

Real-Time Inventory Movement

Maximized Warehouse Space

Reduced Cost-to-Serve

Minimized Picking Errors

Reverse Logistics: TwoBoxes + Loop Returns

Multi-Node, Nationwide Network

Talk to Our Team

Trusted by Big Brands

Ready to See UnitAI Robotics in Action?

Let's talk about how AI-guided robotics can fit into your fulfillment operation, on your timeline and your terms.

TALK TO OUR TEAM

"For over a decade, Barrett has been more than just a logistics partner; they've been an extension of our company. Barrett facilitated our expansion onto the West Coast, enabling quicker turn times for our screen-printed goods. Their communication was solid from day one, and the onboarding process was seamless. Barrett's communication and commitment to our success made us feel they were right next door, treating our business as their own. This partnership played a crucial role in our growth during the first several years, demonstrating the effectiveness of a truly aligned 3PL service."

Mike McAlister, VP of Operations at Fruit of the Loom

“The Barrett team does a great job of being flexible and responsive to all of our logistics needs. They are literally available 24/7, and I can always count on my contacts picking up the phone whenever I call, night or day. Ken’s Foods exists in a dynamic manufacturing environment, and we continually challenge Barrett with last minute changes to our just in time world, both in supporting our packaging operation and managing outbound distribution. Our mutli-year relationship, started small and each year we do more with Barrett, as they have become a reliable and trusted asset in helping us manage the tremendous growth we experience annually.”

Jim Bourne, Sr. Director @ Ken's Foods

"As a young, growing DTC eCommerce brand, Barrett can help us grow in any direction we want. Everything we'd heard about Barrett was evident during our site visits. Their operational team and leadership exhibited unparalleled agility and understanding of our unique needs as a brand. The fact that Barrett pursued us with such vigor made us feel genuinely valued."

Rob Fletcher, Co-Founder @ nuuds.com

"For the past 5+ years, Barrett Distribution has been such a wonderful partner for johnnie-O. Nothing is ever perfect in supply chain, however as you’re entering new marketplaces and scaling a large, DTC brand, nothing is more important than working with a partner that demonstrates a “get stuff done” mentality. Recommend the Barrett team 100%"

Dave Gatto, CEO @ Johnnie-o.com

"When I was looking for a new 3pl, I needed a partner that had a proven track record of shipping fast and managing inventory accurately. Barrett's emphasis on continuous improvement and deploying advanced technologies really stood out amongst the competition. They have been an amazing partner."

Steven Schweighofer, VP Operations @ Stadium Goods

"Barrett stood out in our extensive search for 3PL providers, thanks to its advanced technological infrastructure and profound grasp of our global operational intricacies. However, the heart of Barrett's appeal was its family-owned, employee-driven culture, evident during our thorough site evaluations. The onboarding process, led by their seasoned team, reinforced our confidence in choosing Barrett as a partner who promises and delivers exceptional service."

Daniel Lydon, Sr. Director of Supply Chain at 3EO Health

"We chose Barrett for three core reasons: their family-owned heritage aligns with our values of caring for our team, their expertise in providing high-touch services and their commitment to delivering an exceptional customer experience."

Margaret Moraskie, CEO @ Levenger.com

“The people we work with at Barrett really care about the success of Vibram. Their partnership and support have been critical to our rapid growth.”

Mike Gionfriddo | CEO Vibram, USA

"When we launched, our vision was clear, but our logistical needs were complex and evolving. That's where Barrett came in, not just as a service provider, but as a true partner in our journey. From handling the complexities of new product lines like footwear to managing the intricacies of special packaging for collaborations, they are with us every step. I think Barrett comes across as this huge conglomerate, but actually, it’s a really big, small company. They're an extension of our team, deeply invested in our success."