A Modern Digital Touch
to a Legacy-Rich
Daifuku AGV Solutions

DELIVERABLES

UI/UX, Website Development
INDUSTRY

Automation, Material Handling, Manufacturing
DURATION

5 Months
PLATFORM

Website

Overview

Daifuku Airport America, a subsidiary of Daifuku North America, is an industry leader in the design and deployment of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs). With a proven track record of over 14,000 AGVs sold since 1961, Daifuku enables smart automation across sectors like automotive, warehousing, distribution, and manufacturing. SmartHandlings is a newly designed digital platform built to communicate this legacy while guiding potential customers and partners through Daifuku’s expansive AGV offerings. Our goal was to create a platform that simplifies complex information and accelerates the decision-making process for technical buyers, engineers, and operational leads.

WebApp
Interface Design & UX
Data Visulization

Our Challenges

The primary challenge was to transform a deeply technical and legacy-rich business into a modern digital experience without compromising on the substance and complexity that makes Daifuku a trusted name. While AGV systems offer massive operational gains, their detailed specifications, various navigation technologies, and integration workflows can often be difficult to digest for prospective customers. Additionally, there was a need to consolidate scattered educational content, training programs, and product information into a unified, structured format. Lastly, building credibility digitally was crucial requiring us to reflect the scale and success of Daifuku’s deployments in a way that felt both approachable and authoritative.

Our Approach

We began by focusing on clarity, structure, and intuitive storytelling. Through collaborative workshops with the Daifuku team, we mapped the entire AGV lifecycle from product exploration and feature education to training and post-sale support. Our content strategy balanced technical accuracy with simplicity, ensuring that every user whether a plant manager, engineer, or executive could quickly understand Daifuku’s capabilities and value. Using modular components, we created a scalable design system that could accommodate future product releases, new training offerings, and customer success stories. Lastly, we built seamless paths from education to conversion by integrating thoughtful CTAs and contact forms, making it easy for site visitors to take the next step.

The Experience We Created

Features & Functionality

SmartHandlings delivers a focused set of features tailored to engineers, operations managers, and decision-makers streamlining the discovery, deployment, and support of Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) systems.

1. Product Exploration & Navigation Systems: The platform simplifies AGV discovery by presenting Daifuku’s full product range tugger carts, pallet jacks, tunnel AGVs, and more alongside in-depth explanations of navigation technologies like magnetic tape, laser guidance, and inertial systems. Users gain a clear understanding of each model’s capabilities and which guidance systems best fit their operational environment.

2. Education & Training Access: SmartHandlings features a dedicated training hub where users can explore comprehensive AGV education modules. These include hands-on courses for operators, technicians, and engineers covering topics such as system configuration, CartTools and SAM software, safety awareness, and preventative maintenance. Course descriptions, durations, and outcomes are clearly outlined for quick decision-making.

3. Industry-Specific Use Cases: To connect with real-world needs, the site highlights AGV implementations across various industries like automotive, warehousing, and manufacturing. Visitors can review detailed scenarios and explore how Daifuku’s systems enhance flexibility, support just-in-time delivery, and adapt to dynamic production lines all backed by proven results and decades of experience.

4. Seamless Lead Conversion: The platform guides users from exploration to engagement through intuitive calls to action. Whether requesting training, exploring solution design, or seeking technical consultation, users can easily connect with Daifuku experts via contextual inquiry forms. Each interaction point is designed to reduce friction, capture intent, and enable fast, informed follow-ups.

Thank You! 💙

Thank you for exploring our case study on SmartHandlings, a digital platform designed to power the future of automated material handling.

With over 60 years of AGV innovation, Daifuku’s story deserved a digital presence that matches its legacy and we were proud to bring it to life.

At TheFinch, we specialize in building digital experiences that simplify complexity and empower industry leaders to grow. Let’s connect and build something smart together.  Say hello at www.thefinch.design today!