Investing in automation can help to ensure the long-term sustainability of businesses operating in the food and drink industry and this is certainly the view of CenFRA, Europe's only centre for food robotics and automation, based in Doncaster.

The organisation cites the example of Fosters Bakery as the latest company to reap the rewards of improved productivity following its £1.5M investment in automation and robotics systems at its Barnsley plant.

Fosters' operations director Michael Taylor comments: "Fosters designed a fully bespoke baking robot to unload and load a real oven. Unfortunately, while the design was great, there were problems getting the robotic solution to work.

"CenFRA engaged with Fosters and evaluated the baking robot before setting out a project plan to get the robot up and running. What CenFRA does prior to the introduction and integration of robotic equipment is key to getting things to work.

"Through the expertise of CenFRA's research and development team, the company has been able to re-design and reformulate the robot and support the re-evaluation and integration of this robot in the bakery."

The process was completed in April this year.

CenFRA

Tel: 01302 765680