Last year, sales of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) were the highest since pre-Recession years, according to the Automatic Guided Vehicle Systems (AGVS) Industry Group of the Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA). From 2007 to 2011, the number of vehicles purchased increased 70 percent, the group reported. Furthermore, demand for AGVs from the beverage industry has increased. In 2011, beverage and tobacco manufacturing both moved into the No. 3 spot for industries with the greatest demand for AGVs, preceded by transportation and food manufacturing, according to the group.
AGVs offer multiple benefits for beverage facilities, including reduction in labor and operating costs through more cost-effective product handling, increased productivity and better quality assurance, says Scott Kwilinski, director of solutions engineering for Egemin Automation Inc., Holland, Mich.