Why a Chocolate Maker Lastly Stated Sure to Trendy Automation (And What Different Meals Producers Can Study)

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 appropriate timing, the best downside, and the best resolution. Their journey highlights key takeaways for meals producers contemplating upgrading their automation however not sure when or the right way 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 additionally extra pressure on manufacturing.

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 This left them with a transparent alternative: both follow an outdated, labor-intensive course of or put money into new automation to maintain up with demand.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

Automation wasn’t a brand new thought for them. The engineering supervisor had been in discussions with Robotiq about palletizing options for just a few years whereas working for a distinct firm, however by no means had the best 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 below 2 years and the flexibleness to develop, the choice turned a straightforward one.

Key Advantages Achieved

• Area Optimization: Ground house 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 someday, they had been operating their first SKU. Inside two days, full integration was full.
• Ease of Use: The earlier system required a single professional to troubleshoot and preserve it. Now, even second-shift upkeep employees might function the tools with confidence.
• Scalability: With their first robotic palletizer up and operating, they’re already planning for a second one.

What Different Meals Producers Can Study

1. Don’t Await a Breakdown to Automate. In case your tools 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 may possibly optimize house, velocity up manufacturing, and improve flexibility.
3. Think about Ease of Use. Trendy options are designed for easy operation. Your group doesn’t must be specialists in robotics to run and preserve them.
4. ROI Can Be Sooner Than You Assume. A payback interval below 2 years is cheap, however in lots of instances, advantages begin showing instantly with elevated productiveness and group morale.

This chocolate maker is proof that automation doesn’t should be sophisticated or disruptive. When the best circumstances align, the transition could be clean—and the outcomes, game-changing.

If you happen to’re going through comparable challenges, now is perhaps the best time to take that subsequent step.