MUNICH — At the iba.CONNECTING EXPERTS virtual conference, which took place March 15-17, members of BEMA and IBIE gathered to share how robotics solutions can benefit food production facilities. Moderated by Kerwin Brown, president and CEO of BEMA, the panel of automation experts included Craig Souser, chairman and CEO of JLS Automation; John Keane, Executive Product Manager of AMF Bakery Systems; and Rick Hoskins, CEO of Colborne Foodbotics and Yeaman Machine Technologies.
Despite the relaxing of COVID-related restrictions, the panel speakers cautioned that some level of risk will always remain. With unknown threats now an increasingly important factor in ROI, many bakery manufacturers are turning to automation to meet the needs of workforce shortages, social distancing measures and fewer product touches. Automation could also help narrow the industry skills gap and help hiring managers better compete against the growing number of warehousing jobs.
"With rising requests for more hygienic equipment, robots could help fill in gaps, particularly as consumer demand for variety and a multitude of packaging sizes continues to grow."
With rising requests for more hygienic equipment, robots could help fill in gaps, particularly as consumer demand for variety and a multitude of packaging sizes continues to grow. Souser explained that as robotics become easier to use, they will also become more attractive to the industry. Hoskins added that many in-house engineering employees are quickly positioning themselves as robot experts through the training programs provided by those manufacturers — a reality that may alleviate concerns for those who fear implementation pains.
Robotic solutions are quickly becoming the norm. Companies who don’t keep pace with the transition may find themselves at a loss when they no longer have the hard automation options available to them, Keane cautioned.
The iba.CONNECTING EXPERTS lecture series offered baking industry professionals and their suppliers a global business platform. The event provided opportunity for connection, discovery, learning and entertainment and as a kickoff to the on-site business that will take place when iba opens its doors live in Munich from October 24-28, 2021.