Reference Healthcare Logistics

Not all cleaning robots are created equal. National Supply Manager Bill Watson and his Australian counterpart evaluated several cleaning robots, but only Kärcher delivered a truly autonomous system.

“Most machines are built as scrubber dryers first, with automation added later,” Bill says. “KIRA B 50 is designed from the ground up as a fully integrated robotic system.” Kärcher engineers every aspect of KIRA B 50 inhouse. “It’s German engineering, so we know it will perform day in, day out. Hardware and software are built together, which means no clunky retrofits,” Bill adds.

For the EBOS-owned firm, adopting KIRA B 50 isn’t just a cleaning upgrade – it’s a strategic move to embed automation into core logistics. Charles Chute, National Operations Manager, views KIRA B 50 as a catalyst for broader automation.

“The deployment of KIRA is our first step in our automation journey at this facility, which will make it future-proof,” says Charles. “It lets our team focus on high-value tasks like picking and packing while gaining hands-on experience with automation.”

Every weekday, KIRA B 50 autonomously launches, cleans the 13,000 sqm warehouse, and returns to the docking station – where it self-drains, rinses, refills and recharges. Its 360-degree sensors and remote monitoring ensure seamless, safe operation – no human input required.

For Healthcare Logistics, compliance is non-negotiable. Partnering with medical and pharmaceutical leaders, the logistics provider must comply with the strict standards enforced by government regulator Medsafe as well as conditions attached to wholesaling prescription medicines and controlled drugs. Audits are frequent, and cleanliness receives its fair share of scrutiny.

“We have a lot of internal and customer audits, and we are trusted with products that must be kept safe – for our clients and the wider New Zealand public,” Charles says. With KIRA B 50, compliance reporting is automated. Every cleaning session is logged, with status updates sent to mobile devices and detailed cleaning reports on the associated web portal. These are accessible via a secure portal. “Instead of relying on manual cleaning logs, we can see cleaning times and map-based reports to confirm what was cleaned,” Bill adds.

Autonomous scrubber dryers free up staff for other vital work. “You’ve got flexibility – you can clean whenever you want. We could run the robot 24/7,” Bill says. KIRA B 50 also enhances safety standards at Healthcare Logistics, operating in spaces previously restricted due to material handling equipment.

Advanced automation shouldn’t be cost-prohibitive. Flexible leasing options make it possible to integrate robotic cleaning without upfront investment, which is why Bill chose an operating lease. Fixed monthly payments ensure predictable costs and include scheduled maintenance. This model enables businesses like Healthcare Logistics to scale with confidence.

KIRA B 50 has transformed Healthcare Logistics’ floor cleaning, delivering over twice the cleaning frequency without disrupting workflows or increasing labour costs. With fully digital reporting, manual logs are a thing of the past, and zero downtime ensures uninterrupted, around-the-clock performance.

For Charles and his team, the choice of supplier is about more than price – it’s about shared values. “It’s important for Healthcare Logistics to select the right partner that shares the same approach to automation and high-quality service,” Charles says.

This investment is about more than cleaner floors or cost savings – it’s about scaling automation, maximising efficiency and future-proofing operations.