briNgbot autonomous forked vehicle moves packaging materials between storage and production lines, ensuring a consistent flow of supply and keeping manual handling to a minimum.
From Peak Season to Promotions:
Keeping Packaging Lines Moving
In food and drink production, packaging lines are the heartbeat of the factory. Yet they are only as strong as their weakest link – and for many manufacturers, that link is keeping lines stocked with consumables. Reels of film, trays, cartons, bottles or caps: if materials don’ t arrive on time, the entire line stops.
Day to day, this challenge is inconvenient. But at peak times – Christmas, Easter, summer BBQ season, or during supermarket promotions – the stakes rise dramatically. With output targets stretched, more frequent changeovers, and deadlines immovable, even a short delay in replenishment can cost thousands in lost throughput and risk critical supply relationships.
The reality on most factory floors Traditionally, packaging lines are 18 FDPP- www. fdpp. co. uk supplied in three ways. Forklift drivers shuttle pallets back and forth from storage, often navigating through busy or hygiene-sensitive areas. Operators themselves leave their machines to fetch supplies when they run low, breaking their focus on monitoring and quality. Or managers overstock by the line as a buffer, trading valuable space, safety, and hygiene for short-term reassurance.
None of these methods are efficient. Forklift time is expensive and creates congestion. Operators lose productive minutes every time they step away. Overstocking adds clutter and compliance headaches. During quieter periods, these inefficiencies are tolerated. But during peak production, they can bring lines grinding to a halt.
The pressure of peaks and promotions
Seasonal demand and promotional surges amplify every weak point in packaging supply. Consumables are used up more quickly, meaning replenishment must happen more often. More SKUs and shorter production runs create a constant demand for different trays, films, or cartons. Many food and drink production lines are designed to handle multiple products throughout the year, not just during peak periods, so efficient changeovers become critical for maintaining output, saving time, and controlling costs.
Every stoppage chips away at Overall Equipment Effectiveness( OEE) – reducing availability, slowing throughput, and adding delays at the very moment when efficiency matters most.