Food processors find 'Hidden Profitability'

RTS Flexible Systems has developed a new and innovative assessment process to help uncover 'Hidden Profitability' in food manufacturing processes through investment in robotics and automated handling

RTS Flexible Systems has developed a new and innovative assessment process to help uncover 'hidden profitability' in food manufacturing processes through investment in robotics and automated handling.

The method has been prompted by the findings of the 2006 'Appetite for Automation' research.

The Appetite for Automation Audit is being offered to industry in response to the survey conclusions.

The survey revealed that UK food manufacturers are failing to exploit fully the potential of automation and robotics handling to achieve cost reductions and boost profits.

A key finding of the Appetite for Automation survey was that food manufacturers can underestimate the potential of automated systems to deliver good returns on investment - typically less than two years.

The survey was sponsored by RTS conducted in association with the British Robotics Association, Food Processing Faraday Partnership and the North West Food Alliance.

Says David Bradford, Managing Director of RTS Flexible Systems: "After the survey, we realised that the onus is on suppliers like ourselves to work with industry to help uncover the untapped potential of automated handling.

We have developed a unique process based on the detailed survey findings because we believe that there are many food manufacturers who can find 'buried treasure' in their production to be turned into competitive advantage.

For companies who feel they could benefit from a consultative approach, RTS is offering the initial assessment and audit process free of charge, as a sign of our commitment to developing broader approaches to automation in the industry.

We'd be pleased to hear from manufacturers who want to take part in this project.

The survey showed definitively that the food industry would benefit from greater knowledge and experience of the potential applications of automation.

The wider commercial benefits also appeared to be underestimated.

One possible reason for this was that justifying investment in automation was not always a good fit with companies' standard Return on Investment expectations".

The Appetite for Automation Audit will encourage companies to make fuller assessments of the viability of automated and robotic systems which go further than straight 'like for like' calculations based on labour replacement alone.

RTS consultancy offers manufacturers the opportunity to explore and demonstrate the wider potential of automation projects: for example increased throughput, reduced waste or improved yield on raw materials.

The Audit involves a specially-developed interview process with senior engineering or project staff, followed by an on-site investigation of the potential of automation to be introduced across the production process.

"The technology for robotic hardware and applications is now more advanced and equipment costs are reducing.

Clearly there are some applications which will never be suitable for automation.

However, there are a growing number of processes which could be transformed if the industry's experience of the versatility and flexibility of robotics becomes more widely shared and applied," says Bradford: "A key finding of Appetite for Automation was that food manufacturers should look at developing ROI criteria or methodologies which take account of the wider impact of automation on production efficiencies, quality or health and safety issues.

The Audit process has been developed to help us work with manufacturers to identify potential cost savings in these areas".

Appetite for Automation conducted earlier in 2006, set out to explore why - despite being the UK's largest manufacturing sector - the UK food industry invests comparatively little in automation compared to its counterparts in other industries.

More than 400 senior industry engineers and decision makers were invited to participate in 'in-depth' qualitative interviews.

Those interviewed came from manufacturers representing both 'household names' as well as independent producers.

They gave their opinions on a strictly non-attributable basis.

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