Invest in robotics and protect the long term sustainability and profitability of the UK food and drinks industry was the message from guest speakers, at the launch of CenFRA, (Centre for Food Robotics & Automation), Europe’s first robotics and automation Centre. CenFRA Ltd based in Doncaster along with its new board was formally launched on Thursday the 22nd May to a packed audience comprising food professionals, journalists and special guests. So many people had accepted invitations to the inaugural opening of the not-for-profit business that attendees had to be broken into two groups in order to provide sufficient seating for the 110 guests and journalists who came to the exciting event.
Michael Taylor who is the Operations Director for Fosters Bakery and also CenFRA Ltd Chairman praised those who attended the event for taking the first steps towards becoming more competitive and increasing productivity.
Speaking to the packed audience, Mr Taylor said; “Our mission is to support the long term sustainability of the UK food and drinks industry by providing independent affordable solutions.”
Mr Taylor said that the CenFRA board was made up of food and drink professionals each bringing their respective talents to the company and collectively focused on providing help and guidance to the industry.
The formal opening of the Centre which comprises a combined investment of £2.8 million was undertaken by Simon Hill, Executive Director of Business, Yorkshire Forward, who is the principal sponsor of CenFRA Ltd. Mr Hill told the audience that food and drink is the single largest manufacturing activity in Yorkshire and Humber and its desire and ability to innovate leads the country and in some cases the world.
He said: “Automation is the key to anchoring and protecting jobs within the sector because it allows more money to be invested into innovation and through this the opening up of new markets. By funding this project alongside our partners from the Northern Way, we hope to see the industry innovate that little bit more, and this should not be isolated to just product design but also include packaging to ensure a ‘one voice’ offer to industry,” Mr Hill added.
The final speaker was Mike Wilson, who is the Chairman of the British Automation and Robotics Association. Mr Wilson emphasised the growing overseas competition, rising energy costs and labour shortages the UK food industry is now facing.
Mr Wilson told his spellbound audience that robot density (the number of robots installed per 10,000 production workers employed in manufacturing industry) in the UK is just 44 compared to Germany at 171, France 84 and Spain at 89. He said: “UK manufacturing is in decline and unless the food sector invests in new technology it will go the same way.”
“To tackle this problem it is vital that industry has far more knowledge about automation applications and the benefits,” he added.
After the various presentations and the unveiling of a plaque by Simon Hill, guests were invited to tour the facilities and view a variety of commercial robots supplied by several different companies keen to support the activities of CenFRA Ltd. These robots performed a number of food-related tasks, and will now form the basis of a permanent and varied working demonstration facility at CenFRA’s Doncaster premises.
Summarising the day, Mr Taylor said: “The launch of the Centre heralds an exciting new era for UK food and drink companies. The message is clear, CenFRA is here to help and, through its impartial and independent advice, coupled with robotic solutions now costing from less than £20,000, there is no reason why productivity and performance within this key industrial sector should not increase significantly.”
CenFRA Ltd
Nigel Hall
Tel: 01302 765680
Email: nigel.hall@cenfra.co.uk
www.cenfra.co.uk
Comments are closed.