Napa Auto Parts revs up fulfillment efficiency with automation

An article from Napa Auto Parts revs up fulfillment efficiency with automation Alongside Hy-Tek Intralogistics and Hai Robotics, the retailer aims to maximize warehouse storage density and improve order accuracy. Published Oct.

20, 2026 Kelly Stroh Senior Editor Share Copy link Email / Print License Add us on Google A Napa Auto Parts store in Sacramento, California. The auto parts retailer has partnered with Hy-Tek Intralogistics and Hai Robotics to streamline operations. Getty Images Listen to the article 3 min This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback.

Napa Auto Parts is using automation and robotics technology to maximize storage density and improve warehouse throughput in a bid to support the retailer’s long-term growth strategy, according to an Oct. 15 press release.

The auto parts retailer is partnering with warehouse automation company Hy-Tek Intralogistics and Hai Robotics, which offers automated storage and retrieval systems, to roll out a high-density, scalable and flexible fulfillment operation, per the release.

The system, which is integrated by Hy-Tek, uses Hai Robotics’ HaiPick Systems portfolio, which is a family of automated storage and retrieval systems built on a modular framework, according to the company’s website. The goods-to-person robotic systems automatically store, retrieve and deliver contained and non-contained goods.

“By combining high-density storage with intelligent robotic automation, the system will improve order accuracy, increase operational efficiency and accelerate fulfillment, enabling faster, more reliable service to customers while providing the scalability to meet future demand,” according to the press release.

Early in the design process, the technology was evaluated in a live warehouse environment in Hy-Tek’s Innovation Lab, per the release. The evaluation aimed to validate system performance and refine operations before deployment.

“This project was about designing the right solution for the way we operate today while giving us the flexibility to adapt as our network evolves," Napa Senior Director in Design Engineering Tyler Park said in the release. It is unclear whether the system has been rolled out throughout all of Napa’s facilities.

The retailer did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication. The partnership builds on other efforts Napa has made to improve warehouse efficiency. Earlier this year, the retailer announced plans to expand its use of BrightPick’s artificial intelligence-powered mobile robots. Napa and Brightpick ran a pilot project at a facility in 2025.

The expansion effort includes plans to operate the robots at another site and possibly more locations in the future.

With the mobile robots, Napa aims to reduce the amount of time human pickers spend walking, fetching and carting inventory around the facility Napa is one of several companies investing in warehouse automation to improve efficiency and meet growth ambitions. Urban Outfitters Inc.

-owned Nuuly, for instance, expanded its fulfillment center in the Kansas City, Missouri, area, and aims to automate as much of the operations as possible to cut back on expenses.

Apparel brand Cutter & Buck is also building an automated distribution network to meet growing demand, recently opening its second warehouse featuring a goods-to-person system from technology vendor AutoStore. Editor’s note: This story was first published in our Operations Weekly newsletter. Sign up here.

Recommended Reading NAPA expands use of warehouse robots By Antone Gonsalves • March 3, 2026 Add us on Google Share Copy link Email / Print License Filed Under: Technology, Operations Management, Retail