Automation is almost like a journey into space because there are so many broad terms to describe it. With the labor shortage continuing, the demand for industrial robots is expected to increase in the United States, China and Japan.
For beverage production facilities looking to automate, case packing and wrapping equipment offers quick product changeovers and versatility in packaging types, as consumer demand evolves.
As the COVID-19 pandemic impacted industries across the globe, automated storage and retrieval technologies has helped increase productivity within warehouses and distribution centers.
Based on a severe worker shortage, automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are enabling companies to rethink the deployment of their workforce. Designed to run on the warehouse floor and handle repetitive tasks, some AGV models can reach and retrieve pallets with or without an operator.
As packaging materials have become thinner, material handling equipment ― like palletizing and depalletizing machines ― is adapting to ensure warehouse operations protect the efficacy of beverages.