Automation supports lean production principles in the food sector

February 22, 2019

Automation for Lean Production

With the worldwide population and the cost of labour increasing, food manufacturers are embracing automation to increase efficiency, maintain productivity and remain competitive.

Automation enhances operational efficiency by streamlining repetitive and labour-intensive tasks, leading to increased production speeds and reduced cycle times. This not only boosts overall productivity but also allows for more consistent product quality. Additionally, automation contributes to improved food safety and hygiene by minimizing the risk of contamination associated with human handling. Precise control over variables such as temperature, timing, and ingredient proportions ensures adherence to stringent quality standards. Cost reduction is another significant driver, as automation can lead to lower labor costs, decreased waste, and optimized resource utilization. Moreover, automation facilitates compliance with regulatory requirements, including traceability and documentation, crucial in the highly regulated food industry. Ultimately, by embracing automation, food manufacturers can enhance their competitiveness, respond more efficiently to market demands, and maintain a high level of product integrity.

How can manufacturers recognise where to add value to their existing procedures?

• Replacing a human workforce in high-frequency tasks, high task repetition tasks, or those that require forceful exertion. Your workforce is thus free to develop themselves and become more highly skilled, leaving the repetitive, low-end tasks to the equipment.
• Attention to detail is key, and automation can eliminate errors and reduce variability in output; where people are prone to tiring, distractions and making mistakes, machinery will not.
• Automation is being increasingly implemented within food production processes, to meet increasingly fastidious standards of hygiene and reduce the risk of contamination that can come with manual handling.
• Reduction in both schedule and cost can translate into cost savings that can then be passed on to the customer.
• Implementing automation isn’t as expensive as it sometimes sounds, and the return on your investment can be experienced relatively quickly.

Automation for Lean Production: Are you producing for the food and beverage industry and would like to see how we can help? Contact us for a no-obligation discussion today, on +44 (0)1444 472300 or email info@adelphi.uk.com

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