Endoline has supplied the business with four of its 251 slimline case erectors, boosting the efficiency of the egg packer’s operations by 10%.
Measuring 1 metre by 2 meters – half the size of traditional case erectors – the slimline nature of the 251 case erectors meant that limited factory floor space has been taken up within Bird Bros’s factory.
Bird Bros’s latest move into fully automating the production line followed the installation of two MOBA MR-12 dual robot loading cells late last year.
Eliminating issues
Matthew Bird, commercial operations director said: “The smaller, catering packs are inherently difficult to pack. Due to the manual nature of packing eggs, waste can be an issue, however as a result of automating the lines, this has been eliminated.
“With increased efficiency, we have also decreased supply time so, where eggs have a shorter best before date, we have also reduced food waste for the end user.”
The integration of the 251 system – along with the MOBA loading cells and a previously installed Endoline 734 fully automatic random case sealer – means Bird Bros’s eggs are not manually handled until they reach consumers.
Redeployed staff
Bird Bros technical project manager Joe fox added: “We are delighted with the automated packing lines. Not only has it enabled us to increase efficiency and redeploy employees who were previously working in monotonous, repetitive packing roles, it has also enabled us to meet sustainability goals.”
Supplying multiple retailers and caterers, both locally and nationally, Bird Bros produces 30,000 boxes of eggs every week – from smaller, retail sized consumer packs to larger foodservice and catering boxes.
Meanwhile, Fourpure Brewing has completed a £2.5m expansion of its base of operations in Bermondsey, London in a bid to fulfil doubled demand for canned beer during the COVID-19 pandemic.
