# 242. Mouser’s Matt Bell & The Next Generation of Automated Warehouses

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2026-03-10
- Length: 43m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-03-10-242-mousers-matt-bell-the-next-generation-of-automated-warehouses
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/mousers-matt-bell-the-next-generation-of-automated-warehouses-KhLx5lyv

## Summary

Matt Bell, Vice President of Outbound Operations at Mouser Electronics, explains how the company scaled its 115,000-square-foot warehouse to ship 20,000–25,000 orders daily using a mix of automation and human-centric design. He details the deployment of 220 vertical lift modules (VLMs) and auto store systems, emphasizing a philosophy of using technology to augment workers rather than replace them. Bell also discusses the strategic decision to develop in-house software for the auto store to maintain flexibility, and shares leadership advice on listening to frontline employees and developing critical thinking skills.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-03-10-242-mousers-matt-bell-the-next-generation-of-automated-warehouses#t=1) Introduction: Matt Bell and Mouser's Scale
- [5:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-03-10-242-mousers-matt-bell-the-next-generation-of-automated-warehouses#t=312) Warehouse Operations and Order Fulfillment Flow
- [7:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-03-10-242-mousers-matt-bell-the-next-generation-of-automated-warehouses#t=423) Automation Technologies: Auto Stores and VLMs
- [9:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-03-10-242-mousers-matt-bell-the-next-generation-of-automated-warehouses#t=588) Philosophy: Augmenting Workforce vs. Replacing People
- [16:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-03-10-242-mousers-matt-bell-the-next-generation-of-automated-warehouses#t=993) Evolution of Scale and Technology Over Two Decades
- [18:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-03-10-242-mousers-matt-bell-the-next-generation-of-automated-warehouses#t=1129) Selecting and Implementing New Automation
- [25:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-03-10-242-mousers-matt-bell-the-next-generation-of-automated-warehouses#t=1509) In-House Development vs. Off-the-Shelf Solutions
- [28:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-03-10-242-mousers-matt-bell-the-next-generation-of-automated-warehouses#t=1708) Collaborative Culture and Leadership Lessons
- [31:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-03-10-242-mousers-matt-bell-the-next-generation-of-automated-warehouses#t=1919) Advice for Professionals and Final Thoughts

## Topics

- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Factory operations & automation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/factory-operations)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Mouser Electronics (company)
- Matt Bell (other)
- Auto Store (product)
- Vertical Lift Modules (product)
- Cardex Rom (company)
- Eurosort (product)
- Charlie Munger (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [282: Inside a Warehouse Automation Project: How Sumitomo Drive Technologies Is Transforming Logistics and Reshoring Operations](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-04-07-282-inside-a-warehouse-automation-project-how-sumitomo-drive-technologies-is-tra) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Softbank distancing itself from Pepper, AutoStore's Mike Demko, robotics industry services](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-06-25-softbank-distancing-itself-from-pepper-autostores-mike-demko-robotics-industry-s) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [BONUS: The Future of Intralogistics featuring Siemens' Joel Thomas and Markus Thiel](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-08-04-bonus-the-future-of-intralogistics-featuring-siemens-joel-thomas-and-markus-thie) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [The State of Warehouse Automation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-08-01-the-state-of-warehouse-automation) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [162 - LIVE at PackExpo 2022 with Steve Larsen, VP at Packsize](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-10-26-162-live-at-packexpo-2022-with-steve-larsen-vp-at-packsize) (People of Packaging)

## Citing this page

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