Robots help Black Country brewer stay ahead of the pack
AN investment in new technology is helping a traditional Black Country beer bottling company stay one step ahead of the competition.
Sedgley-based Edwin Holden’s Bottling Company bottles its own beer and supplies the same service to small and medium sized breweries throughout the UK.
The firm, celebrating its 70th birthday this year, underwent a major operational overhaul two years ago which saw it invest in the latest automation technology.
The investment saw the installation of new labelling machinery, conveyors, packaging machinery and more recently, a palletising robot at the end of the processing line.
Mark Hammond, Production Manager of Holden’s and a third generation family member, said the level of automation was not one you would normally expect to see in a small business.
“Robots are normally associated with large corporations, typically car production, but the investment for us makes sense with a fairly short return on investment. We need to remain competitive, maintain flexibility and protect staff from risks of repetitive lifting of heavy weights,” he said.
After various trials the firm selected Warrington-based Kawasaki Robotics UK to supply the palletising robot. With limited production space Holden’s was concerned that installation should not impact on production and fit-out was completed in five days.
“We fill five bottle types and pack into eight different size cartons varying in weight from 6kgs to 13kgs; so the system design needed to allow for flexibility and fast programme changeovers to allow handling of over 30 tonnes per day,” added Mr Hammond.
“To meet exacting packaging requirements it is crucial that pallets are packed neatly and consistently – we now achieve this requirement allowing operators to be more productive in less physical tasks.”
He said staff had undertaken full training and the improvements to production levels well illustrated how important the integration of robotics into the business had been.
