CenFRA targets brewing and soft drinks sectors

Doncaster UK - The Centre for Food Robotics and Automation (CenFRA) has helped the Black Sheep Brewery in North Yorkshire to improve its productivity of its operation, which combines modern manufacturing techniques with traditional processing methods.

According to Doncaster-based CenFRA, robotics have transformed the way in which Black Sheep's heavy casks are moved, while processes such as re-bunging, cask-filling, weighing and re-stacking have also been automated. This, it noted, has helped protect employees from manual handling injuries.

"Improving the factory floor environment and ensuring the long term sustainability of the UK beverage industry is all part of the impartial support and guidance CenFRA can offer drinks companies, including free audits," said CenFRA. "This is to generate awareness, help stimulate ideas and highlight the positive impact innovative automation solutions can have for companies in the beverage industry."

CenFRA offers a bespoke technology roadmap to identify opportunities where automation can improve a company's productivity and competitiveness. It also organises seminars, training days, best practice updates and providing information on the latest technologies, production processes and methods related to automation applicable to the sector.

The company launched its new state-of-the-art site in Doncaster in May of this year and has a combined investment of almost £2 million. Yorkshire Forward is the principal funding agency with some additional support from the North West and North East development agencies, known collectively as the Northern Way.