Data is valuable because it helps manufacturers make better decisions. But there’s a big difference between collecting data and being able to actually use it. If you don’t have a system in place to be able to understand what the data is telling you, then you’re going to be overwhelmed by it.

The introduction of robotic technology is one of the driving forces behind a New Zealand apple exporter’s expansion.

Located in Madison, Wisconsin, Tribe 9 Foods (Tribe 9) is a specialty foods company dedicated to creating delicious, nourishing and functional food. In 2019, Tribe 9 built a new manufacturing facility to support further growth in Taste Republic’s co-manufacturing, private label and foodservice businesses. Capabilities at this new facility include extrusion, IQF, form-fill-seal, flow-wrap packaging, nut butter milling and gluten-free flour blending.

Veramaris, a $200-million joint venture, upgraded its systems and processes to produce omega-3 oil from marine algae—all the while needing to maintain output and meet quality and production standards.

Farmers’ Rice Cooperative (FRC), a grower-owned rice cooperative located in Sacramento, produces an average of 750,000 packs of rice per month in 26 different variations, 51 different packaging options and 43 different size options.

We in the trade press have been extolling the virtues of automation for a long time, and you’re probably sick of hearing us ramble on about it. Nevertheless, if there were any other reason to take a hard look at implementing automation—at least partially—in your facility, it would be now. COVID-19 has certainly created some practical problems: Short-staff due to people at home sick with coronavirus, social distancing impossible on cutting/protein lines, changeover time killing production output…and the list goes on.