After years of hesitation, a widely known chocolate producer in Quebec, Canada lastly took the leap and modernized their automated palletizing course of. What modified? The precise timing, the correct downside, and the correct answer. Their journey highlights key takeaways for meals producers contemplating upgrading their automation however uncertain when or begin.
The Problem: A Bottleneck in Manufacturing
This firm, with a number of areas and over a thousand staff, had been increasing its retail choices. Extra merchandise meant extra demand—but in addition extra pressure on manufacturing.
Their greatest challenge? The second shift. Like many producers, they struggled to search out and retain employees, particularly for late-hour positions. On prime of that, their present industrial palletizer was unreliable, vulnerable to breakdowns, and finally failed fully final summer time. This left them with a transparent selection: both stick to an outdated, labor-intensive course of or put money into new automation to maintain up with demand.
The Turning Level: An Engineer Who Noticed the Massive Image
Automation wasn’t a brand new concept for them. The engineering supervisor had been in discussions with Robotiq about palletizing options for a couple of years whereas working for a distinct firm, however by no means had the correct alternative. When he joined this chocolate maker, he instantly acknowledged that upgrading to a contemporary, robotic palletizer may clear up their labor points and enhance effectivity.
With an ROI in below 2 years and the flexibleness to develop, the choice turned a straightforward one.
Key Advantages Achieved
- House Optimization: Ground area was tight, however the brand new palletizer’s superior software program allowed them to put in it near present constructions with out interfering with operations.
- Quick Set up: Inside sooner or later, they have been working their first SKU. Inside two days, full integration was full.
- Ease of Use: The earlier system required a single skilled to troubleshoot and preserve it. Now, even second-shift upkeep workers may function the tools with confidence.
- Scalability: With their first robotic palletizer up and working, they’re already planning for a second one.
What Different Meals Producers Can Study
- Don’t Watch for a Breakdown to Automate. In case your tools is unreliable, don’t danger productiveness losses. The sooner you improve automation, the earlier you begin seeing returns.
- Suppose Past Labor Shortages. Automation doesn’t simply clear up hiring challenges—it may well optimize area, pace up manufacturing, and improve flexibility.
- Take into account Ease of Use. Trendy options are designed for easy operation. Your group doesn’t must be specialists in robotics to run and preserve them.
- ROI Can Be Sooner Than You Suppose. A payback interval below 2 years is cheap, however in lots of circumstances, advantages begin showing instantly with elevated productiveness and group morale.
This chocolate maker is proof that automation doesn’t need to be sophisticated or disruptive. When the correct situations align, the transition may be clean—and the outcomes, game-changing.
For those who’re dealing with related challenges, now is perhaps the correct time to take that subsequent step.
