Automation systems are becomingly increasingly popular in the beef industry. These systems present multiple advantages, but initial implementation may seem daunting. Still, the benefits of utilizing automation systems are clear: higher production efficiency, increased food safety, reduced labor input and costs, as well as enhanced consistency and quality.

To further explore the potential of automation systems at the beef processing plant, we consulted with JLS Automation Vice President of Sales Michael Newcome.

The National Provisioner: How has demand for automation solutions in the beef processing industry evolved in recent years?

Michael Newcome: Increasingly, our beef processor partners are asking for increased flexibility and intelligence. We often hear requests for the ability to handle different portion sizes, color matching, product styling, and mixing of cuts to create variety packs. They also continue to ask for higher production rates, fast changeover, and the ability to automate the sorting and loading of multiple SKUs presented at the same time. A core focus of our business is continuing to advance vision, automated intelligence, and other technologies to handle these requests.

The National Provisioner: What are the common challenges beef processors face when implementing automation systems? How can processors best address these challenges?

Michael Newcome: Because of the variety of products and the variability of beef protein, automation can be a real challenge to implement successfully without the right expectations and preparation. While automation can be a tremendous asset to operations, it still isn’t at the level of human labor in the ability to reason and adapt.

We spend a lot of time with our customers looking at their entire production process so we can understand their needs, identify potential challenges, and recommend the right solution. We find the most successful projects are those where we closely partner with our customers and have an open dialogue about how we work together to achieve success–including making modifications to the way they do things today. Depending on the project scope, this could include moving SKUs to specifically for automation, modifying packaging formats, and styling patterns or adjusting case sizes patterns.

The National Provisioner: How has automation affected labor requirements in beef processing plants?

Michael Newcome: While automation can allow for the reduction in multiple unskilled labor positions, we do see beef processors investing in operator and maintenance staff with experience in controls and mechatronics. These positions typically support multiple automated lines.

The National Provisioner: How can automation solutions help reduce downtime and maintenance costs in beef processing operations?

Michael Newcome: My first recommendation is always to establish a robust facility preventative maintenance program. Robotic automation, like any other piece of equipment, needs to be properly maintained for peak performance. For customers who are working with limited resources, you may be able to contract with your automation partner for regular operational audits, preventative maintenance, and operator/maintenance training.

The National Provisioner: Are there any upcoming innovations or enhancements in automation technology that beef processors should keep an eye on?

Michael Newcome: AI in general continues to evolve at a tremendous pace. In the coming years, it promises to present new options related to faster learning, adaptation to changing line conditions, machine self-diagnosis, data collection, and trend analysis, as well as a host of other advancements. As a supplier of automation equipment to processors, we continually look for ways to implement these advancements into our systems.

The National Provisioner: How can automation systems help to ensure consistent product quality and compliance with industry standards in beef processing?

Michael Newcome: Properly designed, automation solutions can provide gentler, more consistent handing of products and more accurate placement. Processes upstream to create a more consistent product leads to a better product in general. As for industry standards, such as hygienic design, experience and collaboration between the customer and supplier through the design review and fabrication process is vital to success.

The National Provisioner: How can automation solutions provide a competitive edge to beef processors in the market?

Michael Newcome: Automation can increase production quality and capacity while reducing dependency on a manual labor base that is increasingly hard to find and retain.