Why a Chocolate Maker Lastly Mentioned Sure to Trendy Automation (And What Different Meals Producers Can Be taught)

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 precise drawback, and the precise answer. Their journey highlights key takeaways for meals producers contemplating upgrading their automation however not sure when or find out how to begin.

The Problem: A Bottleneck in Manufacturing

This firm, with a number of areas and over a thousand workers, had been increasing its retail choices. Extra merchandise meant extra demand—but in addition extra pressure on manufacturing.

Their largest difficulty? The second shift. Like many producers, they struggled to seek out and retain employees, particularly for late-hour positions. On high of that, their current industrial palletizer was unreliable, susceptible to breakdowns, and finally failed fully final summer time. This left them with a transparent alternative: both persist with an outdated, labor-intensive course of or put money into new automation to maintain up with demand.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 Huge Image

Automation wasn’t a brand new thought for them. The engineering supervisor had been in discussions with Robotiq about palletizing options for a number of years whereas working for a distinct firm, however by no means had the precise alternative. When he joined this chocolate maker, he instantly acknowledged that upgrading to a contemporary, robotic palletizer might clear up their labor points and enhance effectivity.
With an ROI in underneath 2 years and the flexibleness to broaden, the choice grew to become a simple one.

Key Advantages Achieved

• Area Optimization: Flooring area was tight, however the brand new palletizer’s superior software program allowed them to put in it near current constructions with out interfering with operations.
• Quick Set up: Inside sooner or later, they had been operating their first SKU. Inside two days, full integration was full.
• Ease of Use: The earlier system required a single knowledgeable to troubleshoot and preserve it. Now, even second-shift upkeep employees might function the gear with confidence.
• Scalability: With their first robotic palletizer up and operating, they’re already planning for a second one.

What Different Meals Producers Can Be taught

1. Don’t Anticipate a Breakdown to Automate. In case your gear is unreliable, don’t threat productiveness losses. The sooner you improve automation, the earlier you begin seeing returns.
2. Assume Past Labor Shortages. Automation doesn’t simply clear up hiring challenges—it could actually optimize area, velocity up manufacturing, and enhance flexibility.
3. Contemplate Ease of Use. Trendy options are designed for easy operation. Your workforce doesn’t should be specialists in robotics to run and preserve them.
4. ROI Can Be Sooner Than You Assume. A payback interval underneath 2 years is cheap, however in lots of circumstances, advantages begin showing instantly with elevated productiveness and workforce morale.

This chocolate maker is proof that automation doesn’t must be difficult or disruptive. When the precise circumstances align, the transition could be easy—and the outcomes, game-changing.

If you happen to’re going through comparable challenges, now may be the precise time to take that subsequent step.