Automation within the food and beverage industry is quickly becoming a standard, increasing the levels of productivity and efficiency. An automation Engineering consultant can help integrate advanced industrial machinery and processes into processing, inspection, and packing products. Here are nine advantages that food processing plants can gain by automating their operations.
1. Increased Production Capacity
Automated machines can work at a constant rate, 24 hours a day, with little or no human intervention. Robotics streamline processes, with the factory having the potential to produce more. Machine programming for new product lines can be done offline without affecting on-going operations.
2. Improved Factory Productivity
An automation engineering consultant can help automate different sectors of the business model, from the production floor to billing and inventory tracking. The automated cells may offer more factory uptime, with efficiency figures hitting over 90%. Some machines may provide flexible multi-operational capability.
3. Compliance Threshold
Strict adherence to quality in the food industry is an absolute necessity. Automation allows machines to perform tasks with less variability and interference from human errors.
It allows the business to benefit from consistency in product quality as well as reduced fraction defect ratios. Consistent product quality enables firms to comply with the set standards.
4. Safe Working Environment
Old machines had large moving parts that required an enclosure to protect workers from injury. Automating your processes can remove human labor from dangerous tasks, thus safeguarding them against risks and hazards during the production process. It also keeps factories compliant with the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA).
5. Increased Revenue and Profit Margins
Increased output, reduced lead times, lower operational costs help boost the business’s bottom line. The streamlined operations allow for quicker introduction of new product lines. Improved factory productivity can also help drive up the profit margins for the company.
6. Increased Competitiveness
An automation engineering consultant can help design robotics that reduces product cycle-time and improve the quality of products. The lowered cost-per-piece may help the firm stay ahead of the park through the competitive pricing of its products.
7. Data-driven Decision Making
Automation of the production machines opens an opportunity for data-driven decision making through tracking of key metrics. Automated product lines operated on defined workflows and timelines that provide a better analysis point for your business operations.
8. Maximize on Labor
The consistency of automated factory lines reduces the need for a large number of workers to operate the machines, saving on labor costs. A recent study shows that in three decades, more than 76 million baby boomers will be up for retirement, with only 46 million millennials available to replace them. You can leverage automation to cater for a future deficit in the availability of labor.
9. System Versatility
The system flexibility in robotics allows the machines to be easily retooled and programmed for new production lines. Through efficient coding, the robots can ‘learn’ instantaneously, reducing the change over time. The mixed flow production model allows the food processing plant to adjust to demand fluctuations common within the industry.
Automation within the food and dairy industry is a key strategic decision that allows companies to stand out. An automation engineering consultant can help design a model for your company that transforms your production line. The Project Group Consulting team can help increase your productivity, safety, and profitability.
Pamela began her professional career in the broadcast industry while attending Tarleton State University. After graduating with a B.S. in Speech Communication in 1997, she worked at several radio stations in management roles focusing on continuity, music and production as well as serving as an on-air talent continuously for more than ten years. In 2010, Pamela accepted a position as the Assistant Marketing and Development Director for the Eisemann Center in Richardson, TX. Helping to promote, market and develop the City of Richardson’s performing arts center, she succeeded in implementing and managing all social media marketing as well as creating and directing a first-ever student art exhibit, further strengthening her marketing and organizational talents.
Jason Krueger is the Director of Ranch and Real Estate Development for The Project Group Consulting, LLC. Jason has been managing and developing ranches for greater than 14 years, and has extensive sales management experience in the construction industry dating back to the late 90s. He is also a Wildlife Biologist/Ecologist with a B.S. in Wildlife Ecology from Texas A&M University in College Station.
Bryant began his career at Crepaco warehouse in parts distribution and pump assembly. Then he progressed to field installation for process and ammonia systems where he oversaw welding and fitting both sanitary tubing and ammonia piping systems.He then moved to San Antonio, spent a year as a contract fabricator with H-E-B Foods working for Sanitary Welding Services. At the end of his contract he returned to the DFW area with Alloy Equipment doing installation, crew management, and scheduling. There he remained through the buyout by Statco Fabrication and Engineering, which resulted in his 25 combined years with them moving into engineering and sales departments.
With more than 25 years in the food and beverage industry and extensive experience as a project manager, Tony has planned and led multi-million dollar projects relating to system upgrades, equipment installation, water quality, validations and process improvements. Some of his areas of expertise include project planning, quality assurance, process analysis, manufacturing systems, process design and problem resolution.
Tim is an electrical and control systems engineer with more than ten years of experience in a wide variety of industries. Project experience includes working with clients in the water/wastewater fields, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food and beverage industries. Prior to his engineering work, Tim was a licensed water treatment plant operator in Texas. Tim’s strengths are process engineering, control system design, conveyor system design, and project management. He received his B. S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington. In his spare time, Tim enjoys working on cars, golfing, and billiards.
Michael has thirty-five years of diversified experience in project management and engineering, equipment and systems design, and manufacturing and production. Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University.