Food and beverage manufacturers are embracing flexible, scalable automation solutions to tackle labor shortages, fluctuating demand, and strict hygiene requirements.
North America’s food and beverage sector sees 21% automation surge in 12 months
The U.S. Food & Beverage (F&B) sector saw a 21% increase in automation adoption in 2024. This growth reflects more than just numbers, signaling a strategic shift in how manufacturers are tackling labor shortages, seasonal demand and high-mix production.
Unlike industries with standardized outputs, F&B producers face constant change: evolving consumer tastes, fluctuating raw material costs, and stringent hygiene regulations. These dynamics demand automation that’s not just efficient, but flexible, scalable, and safe to deploy in tight spaces.
Why F&B is leading the automation surge
Deploying UR robots have enabled productivity gains of up to 40% Napco Brands increased output by 15% and achieved ROI in under a year with UR robot palletizers Bob’s Red Mill freed up four operators and met cycle time demands with UR20 robots UR robots thrive in space-constrained, hygiene-sensitive environments, ideal for F&B facilities
How UR robots optimize end-of-line operations
UR's industrial collaborative robots (cobots) are uniquely suited to food and beverage challenges. With small footprints, safety-rated designs, and intuitive programming, UR cobots can work alongside humans without fencing, an ideal solution for space-constrained environments.
Cobots excel in palletizing, labeling, and packaging. Their ability to handle frequent changeovers and high-mix product runs makes them indispensable for manufacturers seeking agility and uptime.
What changed at Napco Brands: 15% productivity boost
Facing labor shortages and high costs of traditional automation, Napco Brands deployed UR cobots for palletizing. Operating 18–20 hours daily, their cobot cells pack 180,000 coffee cups per day, increasing productivity by 15% and achieving ROI in under a year. Injury risks dropped, and eight workers were redeployed to higher-value tasks.
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What changed at Bob’s Red Mill: Faster cycle times, safer workflows
Bob’s Red Mill deployed UR’s UR20 cobot to handle 81-inch pallets with a 20 kg payload. The ‘miniPAL+’ solution processes 14 cases per minute, freeing up four operators and reducing injuries. The result? Greater efficiency, safer operations, and shared profits for employees.
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F&B automation FAQs
Why are cobots ideal for food and beverage manufacturers?
Cobots offer flexibility, small footprints, and safety features that suit dynamic environments.
How do cobots handle seasonal demand and frequent changeovers?
UR cobots are designed for high-mix production and can be redeployed quickly by non-experts with minimal downtime.
What ROI can F&B companies expect from cobots?
Case studies show ROI in under a year, with productivity gains and reduced labor costs.
Are cobots safe to use around human workers?
Yes. UR cobots are designed to operate safely alongside people, often without fencing, following risk assessments.
Can cobots handle heavy payloads and large pallets?
Yes. UR’s UR20 cobot supports up to 20kg payloads and reaches 1750mm, suitable for large palletizing tasks. For heavier payloads, the UR30 can handle 30kg payloads with a reach of 1300mm (51.8 in).
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Learn more about cobots in the food and beverage industry
Discover how UR cobots are transforming end-of-line operations
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