Product category:
Food Processing News
News Release from: Editorial: letters to the Processingtalk Editor | Subject: Letter N Smith TM Robotics
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 23 June 2006
Automation in the Food Industry
An open letter from Nigel Smith of TM Robotics, commenting on the recent survey on the adoption of robotics in the food industry, by RTS Flexible Systems
A recent survey on adoption of robotics in the food industry, by RTS Flexible Systems, highlighted some interesting issues However, one factor this otherwise excellent research didn't consider was the current state of the food market
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 23 Jun 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Automation in the Food Industry
An open letter from Nigel Smith of TM Robotics, commenting on the recent survey on the adoption of robotics in the food industry, by RTS Flexible Systems
Notice from WirelessHART sensor suppliers
As leading suppliers of HART based process automation products, we are frequently asked about our position on the WirelessHART standard, which was released as part of the HART 7 specification
Fake electrical products can be real killers
Paul Canning of Schneider Electric Building Systems and Solutions Division submits an open letter to remind us about the possible dangers from counterfeit products
With sales of traditional food items and highly processed food falling in the last quarter, and sales of health food rising, we can now see real evidence that the British public's eating habits are changing.
UK food manufacturers need to change or extend their product ranges to include more health food and alternative food products.
Unless you are a manufacturer that has found a profitable niche market, high fat and high sugar now equal low sales.
Without recognition of this, in the shape of greater flexibility on the factory floor, I doubt whether the long term contracts between manufacturer and retailer, called for in the survey, will be forthcoming.
As RTS rightly points out, robotics can help manufacturers achieve the required innovation.
Automation provides the flexibility required to switch a line from making high fat foods to more saleable items very quickly.
And when another factor, such as seasonal demand, for instance, results in the public and thus the supermarket buyers craving less healthy products once more, robotics offers the flexibility to change back almost overnight.
When more food manufacturers start to take their own advice and automate, they may well find that the long term contracts they are looking for become a little easier to get signed.
Nigel Smith, Managing director, TM Robotics (Europe), Welwyn Garden City Tel: ++44 (0) 1707 871535.
• Editorial: letters to the Processingtalk Editor: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Processingtalk email newsletter
• Processingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
