End user operational improvements driving automation

A new study from PMMI Business Intelligence follows the evolution of automation and the digitization of the factory.

Nov 16th, 2017

Pfw 7309 Robotics1

“There’s a need for end users to replace human labor, and technology suppliers are providing the solutions,” said one beverage engineer.

OEMs may have the solutions but it is not an easy sell. “There is industry pressure on price, terms, and conditions from low end manufacturing,” says one Global OEM Business Manager.

CPGs counter with some complaints about long ROI due to frequent product replacement and expensive software. “CPGs Technology costs are rising with software and PLCs only lasting three years, which is extending ROI payback,” says a Group Engineering Manager at a large food company.

Food Processing and Packaging Operational Improvements Driving Automation

Cost Reductions
Faster Commissioning, Start-up and Recovery
Automating Labor
Consistent Quality
Fast Changeover
Increasing Output
Predictive Maintenance

Source: 2017 Evolution of Automation, PMMI Business Intelligence. Download here.

McCain Foods Acquires Predictive Crop Intelligence Technologies

The technologies purchased from Resson will help McCain improve its decision-making on crop production and agricultural practices during increased climate volatility.

Plant-based Alternatives Innovate Products to Reach Fickle Consumers

Though on a continuing growth trajectory, plant-based alternatives face fickle consumers and a demand for lower prices. Brand owners and technology suppliers met recently to compare notes.

Mars Petcare President Ikdeep Singh

Mars Names Ikdeep Singh as Global Pet Nutrition Business President

With more than 20 years of global CPG experience, Singh is overseeing one of the largest businesses at Mars, with a portfolio featuring some of the world’s largest petfood brands.

News Hormel Sustainability

Hormel Foods to Invest in Carbon Sequestration, Air and Water Quality

The project will focus on advances in soil health practices to improve water and air quality, sequester greenhouse gases, and benefit agricultural producers who want to make their operations environmentally sustainable.

The plant-based meat market is on the rise.

Younger Generations Drive the Plant-based Meats Market Forward

Though more plant-based meats are available, fewer consumers are responding favorably to them. Those more likely to eat plant-based alternatives are Millennials and Gen Z-ers, but they’re looking for price parity with traditional proteins.

Bulk Bag Filling: Increase Bulk Material Packaging Efficiency

Bulk Bag Filling: Increase Bulk Material Packaging Efficiency

Move beyond constraints of build-to-order machine manufacturers. See how engineered-to-application bulk bag filler design and construction increases bulk material packaging efficiency and accuracy.

Nourished’s personalized vitamins and Life-stacks are 3D printed to layer different “mixes” of active ingredients, which are specifically suited to the consumer's individual requirements.

Nourished’s 3D-printed Supplement Stacks Deliver Personalized Nutrients

Based on a consumer questionnaire, ingredients are printed in stacks on in-house developed tech to offer a bespoke 28-day supply. The resulting colorful, customized gummies are packed in home-compostable wrap in a letterbox-friendly carton.

Spending Forecast for Cobots

Over 50% of CPGs to Increase Cobot Spending

The suspected surge in cobot spending comes at a time when companies are just starting to grasp how to take advantage of them.

Bimbo Bakeries Usa

Bimbo Bakeries USA Earns Energy Star Partner of the Year Award

The EPA and U.S. Department of Energy gave the company the Sustained Excellence honor for being named Partner of the Year for the fifth consecutive year.

Cobot Explosion on Horizon

CPG Cobot Use Expected to At Least Double in Next Five Years

CPGs predict cobot usage in packaging will more than double in the next five years, with processing use expected to triple according to PMMI report.

Corona USA Kicks Off 2nd Annual Protect Our Beaches Program

Corona, along with Oceanic Global and United By Blue, has begun this year’s efforts with a beach cleanup in Seattle and merchandise created in part from plastic collected last year.

Bulk Bag Filling: Increase Bulk Material Packaging Efficiency

Bulk Bag Filling: Increase Bulk Material Packaging Efficiency

Move beyond constraints of build-to-order machine manufacturers. See how engineered-to-application bulk bag filler design and construction increases bulk material packaging efficiency and accuracy.

Emerging Brands Summit

Emerging Brands Summit Launches at PACK EXPO International

Equipping brands with the resources to scale manufacturing and properly process and package new products.

Kellogg Separating Into 3 Independent Companies

The proposed separations will create greater strategic, operational, and financial focus for each company and its stakeholders, and build on Kellogg’s current momentum.

Mondelēz International to Acquire Clif Bar for $2.9 Billion

The transaction will build on Mondelēz International’s strategy to prioritize fast-growing snacking segments in key geographies and create a $1 billion global snack bar player with leading brands.

Clemens Food Group’s New Meat Operation Opening

Clemens Food Group Opens New Meat Operation in Pennsylvania

The facility utilizes best-in-class quality and food safety systems and design to provide customers nationwide with high-quality, innovative products.

Goya Foods Expands Chicago Facility

The plant was expanded to help ease the current global food crisis and ensure consumers have access to affordable, nutritious, and plant-based products.

Styx Cotc Band V4 5x7 R1

PACK gives BACK is Back at PACK EXPO International

Chicago's own legendary STYX brings over four decades of hits for a good cause.

BevTech 2022: Driving Sustainability Best Practices Forward in Beverages

Coca-Cola and PepsiCo point to improved transparency as the beverage industry discusses sustainability this year at ISBT’s annual BevTech meeting.

Coca-Cola’s Cloeann Durham details the beverage giant’s sustainability initiatives at ISBT’s annual BevTech meeting.

Coca-Cola Targets Sustainability From Every Angle

As the beverage giant takes aim at climate, water, recycling, and other initiatives, it’s relying more than ever on a science-based approach. Data is all you really have to tell your story, says Coca-Cola’s Cloeann Durham.

More in Home

Post Holdings Sparks, Nev Rendering

Post Holdings Planning to Expand Nevada Cereal Facility

The expansion of the breakfast cereal processing plant will provide Post Consumer Brands with additional production volume, allowing it to better meet consumer demand.

unPACKed Podcast: A Path for Women in Packaging and Processing

unPACKed Podcast: A Path to Success for Women in Packaging and Processing

Hear success stories, inspiration, and tips that will help and encourage women currently in the industry and offer guidance for young women looking to manufacturing as a career.

Nestlé Opens $144 Million Purina Petcare Factory in Thailand

The location offers easy access to high-quality raw materials and is logistically convenient to supply products to international markets, especially the ASEAN region.

New PACK EXPO Competition Challenges Student Creativity

Hands-on experience is the name of the PACK Challenge game

Ferrero Groundbreaking

Ferrero Spending up to $214.4 Million to Expand Illinois Plant

The 169,000-sq-ft addition to the company’s Bloomington manufacturing plant will be dedicated to producing Kinder Bueno chocolate bars and minis for the North American market.

Danone North America Announces Zero Waste to Landfill 2025 Goal

Fifteen percent of the company’s North American manufacturing facilities have already achieved Zero Waste to Landfill, up from 4.8% of Danone North America’s waste being sent to landfills in 2020.

The Paperless Process Recorder records process parameters like temperature, flow, and pressure, and uses the Legendary cloud-based software to securely store those records.

Digital Recorder Replaces Cumbersome Paper Charts

With its Paperless Process Recorder and cloud-based Legendary software, Anderson-Negele aims to digitalize—without necessarily reinventing—the recording of process parameters in food and beverage plants.

Digital Sorter Helps to Overcome Workforce, Yield Issues

A Veryx B175 digital sorter from Key Technology has helped Jones Potato Farm not only move past the difficulties of manual inspection of its green beans, but has also improved efficiencies.

Getty Images 157558600

CPGs Move More Manufacturing and Packaging Lines to Contract Facilities

A PMMI industry report reveals what’s driving growth in machinery sales to the CoMan/CoPack market.

EXPO PACK México Reunites the Industry in Person

The largest packaging and processing show in Latin America returns to México for the first time in four years.

Mars Pet Nutrition Europe Using Sustainable Fish in 100% of Products

The milestone is a part of Mars Petcare’s sustainability goal, which includes procuring 100% sustainably sourced fish globally, according to its corporate guidelines.

At Smithfield Foods’ Milan, Mo. facility, the switch from cardboard to reusable plastic combos is expected to save $1.3 over the next five years. Photo courtesy of Smithfield Foods.

Smithfield Foods’ Switch to Plastic Combos Is an Environmental Winner

The project included reducing greenhouse gas emissions, water and energy usage, global warming, and landfill, and it is honored by a Sustainability Excellence in Manufacturing Award from ProFood World.