Labor shortages. Ergonomic risk. Turnover on the packaging line.
Sound familiar? For many manufacturers, especially in the food and chemical sectors, these challenges are a daily reality. But one Midwest-based producer of food additives recently showed that with the right partner, automation doesn’t have to be complicated, or expensive.
The challenge: Heavier products, tougher work conditions
This manufacturer needed to palletize buckets and bags of their food additive product. These heavy units wore out workers physically and made staffing difficult.
You really don’t want someone down at the end of a line managing these heavy packages day in and day out.
Even with a strong local workforce, repetitive tasks like this are hard to fill and even harder to retain. That’s why the company started exploring robotic palletizing solutions.
The solution: Scalable, pre-engineered robotics with PCC
Enter PCC, a Wisconsin-based systems integrator with deep roots in robotics—and a strong understanding of both engineering and business realities. PCC saw an opportunity to simplify integration by using a pre-engineered robotic palletizing solution powered by Robotiq and Universal Robots (UR20 and UR30). The key advantages?
- Minimal engineering time – less time spent building from scratch
- Lower risk – proven hardware and software that works out of the box
- Preserved margins – integrators don’t have to absorb hours of custom design
This project started with buckets using the PE20 solution, and the team is already preparing a follow-up for bagged products using the higher payload AX30 model.
Why PCC stands out
PCC isn’t just an integrator; they’re a growth partner. They don’t stop at installation. Here’s what sets them apart:
- Broader capabilities: Beyond palletizing, they bring experience in general robotics and systems integration, allowing customers to scale automation across processes.
- Customer-first mindset: By focusing on ROI and fast deployment, PCC helps manufacturers move quickly and confidently, no matter the economic climate.
This particular customer was brought to us through one of PCC’s existing relationships. They’re a huge fan of our product and they really promote it. That engagement makes a huge difference.
The business impact: A one-year payback
In this case, the full system—including the robot, end-of-arm tooling, and conveyance—was estimated around $150,000. The return? A full payback in just 12 months on two shifts.
That means in year two and beyond, that same investment starts paying itself back. Every month. As Robotiq CEO Samuel Bouchard says:
“Focus on what doesn’t change. “Labor shortages aren’t going away. And heavy, repetitive work will always be hard to staff. Automation is how you keep moving.”
Final takeaway for manufacturers
If you’re struggling with heavy packaging, or just tired of recycling labor through roles no one wants to stay in, it’s time to look at robotic palletizing.
And if you want to hit the ground running, partnering with an integrator like PCC can make all the difference. They know the tech, know the market, and most importantly, know how to help you win.
Reach out to see how automation could work for your line.
