Automation Expands Production Capability in the Meat Processing Industry

Automation can enhance poultry processing plant efficiency, reliability, and predictability.

FREMONT, CA: Labor is one of the biggest challenges in poultry processing, and automation is a way to address it. As a result of this technology, operational efficiency, reliability, and predictability can improve. Automated food processing is increasingly in use in the North American poultry market, which has been a viable option for some time. In North American poultry processing plants, human employees still play an important role. The need for human labor has slowed the expansion of automation, which would otherwise be more important.

Employing people to implement, supervise, operate, and maintain a fully automated processing plant is still necessary.

Digitalization: Aside from automation, digitalization is also on the rise. Software is crucial in poultry processing plants today because it automates and optimizes a wide range of tasks and processes. Manufacturers can perform a wide range of tasks, such as controlling and monitoring production equipment and machinery, managing inventory and supply chain logistics, analyzing data, and making informed decisions.

Correct data use: Digital poultry environments present a challenge in data use. An automated processing plant generates a great deal of useful information from many different pieces of equipment. There is no way to combine and analyze data from different sources to gain a comprehensive picture of production, and inefficiencies or improvement opportunities cannot be identified.

These areas are ideal for automation: Employees can enhance their work experience through new opportunities, while the system can do more with fewer employees.

Instead of laying off employees or making current employees obsolete, automation aims to remove the financial burden associated with searching for additional workers and the associated time commitment. It repurposes workers into human roles for upward mobility, redeploying them to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the production line instead of making their cogs.

Incorporating robotic equipment into poultry packaging does not require a full line of equipment. Automating the process can make things as efficient as possible without causing work stoppages or bottlenecks.