Processors must automate or face decline

Britain’s food manufacturers have been warned that if they fail to invest in the latest automation and robotics technology, they risk a decline similar to that seen by other manufacturing sectors.

In support of the not-for-profit Centre for Food Robotics and Automation (CenFRA) CenFRA, Mike Wilson, president of the British Automation and Robotics Association said: “UK manufacturing is in decline and unless the food sector invests in new technology it will go the same way.”

CenFRA was set up in Doncaster in May this year at a cost of £1.8M with the backing of three northern regional development agencies. Its establishment followed research which showed that the UK had the lowest investment in automation of any nation in Europe.

Fifty food and drink companies in the Yorkshire region, including the Black Sheep Brewery at Masham, North Yorkshire and Greggs bakery, are now benefiting from the help and advice of CenFRA. CenFRA provides initial robotics and automation audits to companies in the north of England free of charge.

According to CenFRA project manager Nigel Hall more companies are investigating the use of robotics in up-stream food processing operations rather than for more traditional end-of-line packaging and palletising jobs. Recent enquiries have come from companies in the confectionery sector, said Hall.

CenFRA md Martin Lowe, who has spent most of his career in the food industry, said: “Traditionally, many companies in the food sector have been driven by a low capital investment culture with labour being used to create flexibility.”

Lowe continued: “Long term, this is not going to be a sustainable position, because increasing skills and labour shortages together with more sustained overseas competition will create an even more competitive environment in which some food manufacturers may find it increasingly difficult to survive.”