Kilde Automation Offers Advanced Robotics Technology

Kilde Automation AS is a technology leader in the design and manufacture of robotic solutions for the packaging industry. Philip Yorke talked to Peter Friis, the company’s managing director, about its unique, tailor-made solutions and its innovative labour-saving products that are taking the packaging industry by storm.

Kilde AS Automation was founded in Denmark in 1970 by Stanny F. Kilde who began by repairing machines and power tools from a workshop at the rear of his local laundry. Kilde soon became aware that the prospects for growth in this sector were poor, so he set about manufacturing his own custom-built machines and equipment. The automatic handling and processing machines he subsequently developed for the iron industry soon paid dividends. The first purpose-built Kilde assembly shop was therefore constructed in 1977 and the company has consistently invested in new technology ever since to set the gold standard in advanced automation systems.

The Kilde company continued to see consistent growth over the years and in 2005 it went through a change of ownership when it was acquired by Spar Vest Fonden and Holdingselkabet. A more recent development occurred in 2013 when Peter Friis took over the leadership of the company and set it on a new course to take it to the next level. Today Kilde operates a high-tech business with unrivalled facilities for the construction, design and development of tailor-made solutions and undertakes complex automation projects for its diverse portfolio of customers. These include leading companies involved in the packaging, plastics and pharmaceutical industries and include many of the world’s best-known brand names.

Making a difference
Innovation is built into every piece of equipment developed by Kilde and making a difference in terms of efficiency and cost-effectiveness remains a key objective. The company’s core competence is the development and manufacture of complete automation solutions that provide its clients with a clear competitive and cost-effective advantage. Quality and operational reliability come as standard at Kilde who work in close cooperation with their customers throughout the duration of each project. What’s more the company’s automation solutions contribute to safe and environmentally friendly production processes that ensure optimal CO2 reduction and sustainable development.

Friis said, “Thanks to our structure and ability to work on many different automation challenges, our innovative expertise gives us a competitive advantage. Currently all our products are tailor-made although we are working towards a more modular process where it is possible to customise our planned range of standard equipment. A good example of this is the products that we have developed for food trays and lids. In fact, we are the only company that provides a solution during the final packaging process for food trays. Our systems dispense with all known manual operations that are currently in use during the closing and filling of trays as well as for the gluing of tray edges.

“Our unique and compact robotic systems increase productivity, reduce labour costs and save packaging companies money from day one. Kilde’s in-depth experience has been gained in the pharmaceutical and food industries, which means that we meet all EU regulations concerning food hygiene, as well as for our state-of-the-art clean-room facilities. Our environmental management programmes also mean that our processes are using less energy. For example, with some of our bigger movements we use linear systems instead of air-driven ones which can make a significant difference energy-wise. Furthermore, installation of our advanced automation systems usually takes less than a week and in many cases existing manual processes can continue to operate during the installation phase.

Friis added, “All our R&D and product development is done in-house and everything is designed and manufactured here in Denmark at our extensive facilities, so we are able to maintain complete control of all our production stages. Potential customers come to us to see our diverse range of automation products in action. In many cases they are able also to visit our existing customer’s facilities to see just how efficient and cost-effective our systems are in action. We are fully ISO certified and are not restricted to the development of systems for the manufacture of lids and trays alone, but for any items where the packing of products takes place and where there are opportunities for greater efficiency and cost-savings to be made for our customers.”

Exceeding expectations
At Kilde Automation the starting point is to fully understand the customer’s business proposition and key objectives. Its broad range of competences in the development of complete automation solutions provides clients with a competitive advantage that offers greater efficiency, often exceeding their expectations. Furthermore, at Kilde quality and operational reliability are a first priority and the development and construction of solutions always takes place in close cooperation with the customer from start to finish. 

All systems are tested at Kilde’s own facilities to ensure that the fully developed solution meets the customer’s specific requirements. The company conducts flexible running-in and commissioning, as well as training at the customer’s site. Kilde also stands behind its systems throughout the product’s lifetime. It provides a wide range of after sales services as well as supplying upgrades if required. The company believes that its success is based upon its growing list of satisfied customers and its dedicated team of highly qualified and innovative engineers.