At the same time, labour is stretched. Recruiting and training seasonal staff is increasingly difficult, and existing teams are already working at capacity. Relying on people to fetch and carry packaging materials is no longer sustainable. When lines stop, so does production – and in peak season, every lost minute counts.
Automation that flexes with demand
There is a smarter way to keep packaging lines moving. Autonomous vehicles can take on the repetitive, low-value task of delivering packaging materials to the line. They operate safely around people and equipment, carrying supplies – from reels to cartons – from storage to where they are needed – exactly when they are needed.
Better still, with models like Autonomous GO- Automation by the Hour, manufacturers can introduce automation with confidence and expand as their needs change. Additional vehicles can be integrated smoothly to support higher volumes, seasonal peaks, or new product lines – all without capital investment, long contracts, or licence fees. You simply pay for the hours a robot works. With ROI achievable within an hour and risk-free trials available, Autonomous GO delivers long-term reliability with none of the upfront risk.
To suit different packaging environments, Guidance Automation offers applicationready autonomous vehicles tailored to specific tasks. iNcaart is engineered for lighter loads and maximum flexibility, designed as a base vehicle that works in combination with bespoke top modules such as conveyor units, tote lifters, trolleys, or fully custom-built solutions. For more demanding transport duties, briNgbot is an autonomous forked vehicle that delivers the same durability and reliability while handling heavier loads, ensuring that every packaging line – large or small – can be supported effectively.
The benefits for packaging operations
By automating packaging supply, manufacturers can:
• Eliminate downtime: lines stay stocked, with consumables arriving just in time
• Protect Overall Equipment Effectiveness( OEE): fewer stoppages and delays mean higher availability and throughput, even under peak pressure
• Free skilled staff: operators
remain focused on monitoring, quality, and efficiency, rather than fetching materials
• Use space more effectively: no more cluttered buffer stocks stacked around machines, reducing trip hazards and improving safety as well as hygiene
• Scale with confidence: seasonal demand can be met without relying on extra labour, thanks to Autonomous GO’ s flexible pay-asyou-go model
Ready for the next peak
When seasonal peaks or supermarket promotions hit, production lines can’ t afford to wait for their next delivery of consumables. With an autonomous supply system that flexes on demand, every line keeps running smoothly – whatever the workload.
It’ s time to stop accepting stoppages as part of the job. With the right automation in place, packaging operations can stay resilient, efficient, and always ready for the next challenge.
Discover how flexible automation could keep your packaging lines stocked and stress-free:
Tel: + 44 116 243 6250 enquiries @ guidanceautomation. com briNgbot autonomous forked vehicle positions palletised loads for transfer onto conveyors, supporting smooth and efficient packaging operations. www. guidanceautomation. com / autonomous-go
iNcaart autonomous vehicle with lightdirected picking system provides flexible material handling capabilities, adaptable for a range of manufacturing and packaging environments.
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