“There’s a need for end users to replace human labor, and technology suppliers are providing the solutions,” said one beverage engineer.
OEMs may have the solutions but it is not an easy sell. “There is industry pressure on price, terms, and conditions from low end manufacturing,” says one Global OEM Business Manager.
CPGs counter with some complaints about long ROI due to frequent product replacement and expensive software. “CPGs Technology costs are rising with software and PLCs only lasting three years, which is extending ROI payback,” says a Group Engineering Manager at a large food company.
Food Processing and Packaging Operational Improvements Driving Automation
Source: 2017 Evolution of Automation, PMMI Business Intelligence. Download here.
