The key to flexible, fast-paced food-to-go manufacturing
CONTROL & AUTOMATION
AUTOMATION
FANUC
The key to flexible, fast-paced food-to-go manufacturing
By Dan Fisher, Head of Sales at FANUC UK
Walk into a UK food factory and you might expect to see automation throughout the production process. Yet despite its growing adoption across the food and beverage sector, many food-to-go products are still packed and palletised by hand.
For manufacturers producing sandwiches, wraps, bakery products, salads, snacks and protein pots, this represents a significant opportunity. Packing and palletising are areas where automation can deliver immediate productivity gains without requiring a complete production-line transformation.
A growing market with demanding requirements
The food-to-go sector continues to expand as consumers increasingly seek convenient, ready-to-eat products. However, growth brings new challenges. Manufacturers must manage high volumes, frequent product changeovers, short shelf lives and demanding delivery schedules, often while operating on tight margins.
At the same time, retailers are continuing to push for greater flexibility. Rather than receiving large deliveries into distribution networks, many now require smaller, more frequent orders delivered closer to the point of sale. With growing pressure to minimise waste and reduce stockholding, manufacturers must be able to respond quickly to changing demand.
Flexibility is becoming essential To remain competitive, food-to-go producers need operations that can
handle a wide range of products while maintaining speed and efficiency. Relying solely on manual processes can make this increasingly difficult, particularly as labour availability and costs continue to challenge the sector.
Automation offers a practical solution. However, many businesses still view automation as an all-or-nothing investment. In reality, the most successful projects often start with targeted applications that deliver measurable improvements quickly.
Start with the quick wins
For many food manufacturers, palletising is an ideal starting point. Modern robotic solutions can manage mixed-product pallets containing different shapes, sizes and packaging formats, while advanced vision technology helps determine the most efficient pallet patterns.
The benefits extend beyond improved throughput. Automating repetitive handling processes can reduce manual strain, improve consistency and free employees to focus on higher-value tasks.
Automation without compromising adaptability
Modern robotic systems can provide both the speed and repeatability required for high-volume production while adapting to changing product requirements and customer demands.
The key is selecting the right solution for the application. Manufacturers should work with experienced automation specialists to identify where automation will deliver the greatest impact and design systems around their operational needs.
The business case for automation
Automation projects can often deliver attractive returns, particularly when focused on labour-intensive processes such as packing and palletising. Combined with financing options, automation can become accessible without requiring significant upfront capital expenditure.
Building a more responsive foodto-go operation
As the food-to-go market continues to grow, manufacturers face increasing pressure to deliver greater variety, faster turnaround times and greater operational efficiency. By focusing on targeted automation opportunities, businesses can improve productivity, increase flexibility and protect margins.
Ultimately, the manufacturers best placed to succeed will be those that can combine speed, responsiveness and efficiency. For many food-to-go producers, the question is no longer whether to automate, but where automation can deliver the greatest value.
For further information, please visit www. doyoufanuc. com
42 PECM Issue 83