See new food packaging & processing solutions at PACK EXPO in Chicago
Discover new food packaging and processing innovations from 2,500+ suppliers, all under one roof at PACK EXPO International in Chicago.

Counting Down the Top 10 Articles of 2019 - #1: Robotic Lines Clear Peeps’ Automation Hurdles

Based on online clicks and unique page views, we're counting down the Top 10 articles of 2019. In the year's top article, we cover the popular Peeps brand on its journey from manual packing of a difficult product to an ultra-automated robotic line.

Peeps are loaded into trays by the JLS Talon robotic pick-and-place system, featuring ABB FlexPicker vision-guided robots and Soft Robotics gripper EOATs.
Peeps are loaded into trays by the JLS Talon robotic pick-and-place system, featuring ABB FlexPicker vision-guided robots and Soft Robotics gripper EOATs.

Produced in the billions, PEEPS® are so fragile and their packaging formats so varied that they resisted automation until a gentle but fast robotic pick and place primary packaging system solved a host of problems at once. Here's the article by Matt Reynolds from September 2019. 

As you’d likely guess, the Peeps brand is manufacturer Just Born's most well known—particularly the chick- and bunny-shaped marshmallow candies synonymous with the Easter holiday. Each year, Just Born produces 2 billion Peeps for all of the four major holidays. But Easter represents a majority of that total.

Back to Basics: Understanding Conveyors for Food Processing
Discover how modern conveyors enhance food processing—boost efficiency, ensure safety, and save space. Explore the latest tech and tips to optimize your operations.
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Back to Basics: Understanding Conveyors for Food Processing
Special Report: Essential tools for effective sanitation
Today’s food processors are faced with an ongoing labor shortage and pressure to increase production to meet market demands. That means less downtime for cleaning while adhering to strict food safety guidelines. How can a manufacturer overcome these hurdles to stay profitable?
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Special Report: Essential tools for effective sanitation