Automating the Food Chain
Grocery giant, Kroger, recently announced that it plans to invest further in its integration of automation technology in order to achieve greater efficiency and labor productivity, specifically within its customer fulfillment centers. As just one example, Kroger represents a larger trend within the food industry as a variety of companies turn more and more to automation. As CNBC cites, “In 2022, grocery stores spent $13 billion on tech automations, according to research by FMI, The Food Industry Association. FMI expects spending on innovations like smart carts and revamped self-checkout aisles to soar 400% through 2025.”
Other Companies Turning to Automation
Like Kroger, Walmart has also committed to expanding the presence of automation in its business. It will open five automated distribution centers to manage fresh food for its online grocery services, according to SupplyChainBrain. The centers - located in California, Texas, South Carolina, Illinois, and New Jersey - will be twice the size of typical distribution centers and feature tech enhanced storage, retrieval, and stacking systems. Walmart doesn’t intend on stopping there. The company has shared that around two-thirds of its stores will include some kind of automation by 2026.
But it isn’t just Kroger and Walmart that foresee this growth. The pet food space is also poised to advance from automation. In an interview with PetFood Industry, Cade Culver, chief growth and transformation officer (CGTO) at manufacturer Alphia, explained that AI and automation is positioned to boost not just efficiency, but also safety and quality. "We are seeing how AI can optimize supply chain management, predict maintenance needs, and ensure quality control through advanced data analytics while automation streamlines production lines, minimizing human error and physical strain on factory workers, leading to safer working conditions,” Culver told the outlet.
Finding an Automation Partner
While the above mentioned examples mostly concern large-scale corporations, smaller businesses are also looking to adopt automation’s benefits. However, they are often doing so with less resources. Therefore, finding the right automation partner is essential. When Johnston’s Bakery, a U.S.-based frozen dough manufacturer, was ready to build out some of its operations, automating the tasks involved was key. But, the team noted that the process behind finding a fitting supplier was challenging. It is possible though. SimpliControl, ourselves, is helping to streamline the process for companies ranging in size. Make sure to get in touch with our team.
Sources:
● “Kroger to add new Ocado technology to automated fulfillment centers” - Peyton Bigora and Catherine Douglas Morgan, Grocery Dive
https://www.grocerydive.com/news/kroger-ocado-technology-automated-fulfillment-centers/721986/
● “How AI and automation will reshape grocery stores and fast-food chains” - DeLon Thornton, CNBC
● “Walmart to Open Five New Automated Distribution Centers for Fresh Food” - SupplyChainBrain
● “3 future trends in pet food manufacturing” - Lisa Cleaver, PetFood Industry
● “How Johnston’s Bakery Accelerated Its Path to a ‘Pick and Place’ Solution” - HowToRobot