Considering Automation? Get Back To Basics
By Melissa Lind, contributing writer
For food producers, the struggle to maintain a leg up is on-going. The need for increased efficiency is never ending, but quality of products can’t be sacrificed. Automation can give your company an added boost against the competition and may even allow you to expand business without dramatically increasing labor costs.
If your company has yet to begin to automate food-processing or packaging operations — or if it considering using additional automation — giving thought to some very basic questions can help guide the decision of implementing automation technology.
Why Automate Operations?
In most cases, the answer will be increased efficiency. You want to put out more products with less effort. Automation can also help increase precision, creating more products with less likelihood for human-introduced variance.
Where Will Automation Benefit The Company Most?
Decide on the processes that will most-likely be improved with automation. As technology has advanced in recent years, almost every aspect of food production and packaging can be automated. Replacing labor-intensive or monotonous tasks with robotics can boost efficiency and improve plant safety.
Who Will Help Integrate The Technology?
New automation equipment must be integrated with current systems for maximum efficiency. Ideally, one integrator should be chosen to uphold uniformity company-wide.
Which Employees Will Be Most-Affected By Automation?
Employees on the processing line will be using the equipment and adapting their work to new systems. Engaging these hands-on employees with the equipment can help ease the idea of automation replacing jobs. Additionally, feedback from plant floor can help aid in further boosting efficiencies.
When To Automate?
Implementing automation presents a significant cost, but your company can’t afford to put it off any longer as many companies have already significant investments in the technology. There may be government tax incentives available for using automated equipment and energy providers may offer incentives for upgrading to equipment with a better energy rating.
As the food industry continues to expand globally, competition is becoming increasingly tighter. The adoption of automation allows for lowered capital costs, higher-quality and more-consistent food products at a lower cost per unit, and more manufacturing flexibility. All of these are important aspects of increasing profitability and your competitive edge.