Cutting costs by rationalising and optimising the operations of the plant is a common target among production companies. Elettric 80’s scalable Freeway system provides the ideal solution through custom-designed automation for fast-moving consumer-goods plants, especially those with two-shift operations, or more. The system can either automate the whole end-of-line process of the production plant at once or, focussing on an ideal future solution, be limited to chosen parts of it, in which case it can be extended and complemented at any time without significant extra cost or trouble. Furthermore, the systems can be implemented with minimal disruption, often while production is still up and running. However, important decisions that would result in great advantages and a competitive edge, are sometimes postponed as they seem too complicated or radical. Questions arise; how large an investment does the budget allow; which is the best solution for the whole plant and will it still be sufficient some years from now?

Elettric 80 Marketing Director Mikael Renström concludes that drinktec 2009 was a great success for the company, which made a great impact on the market through the live demonstration of a fully operative automated end-of-line chain, incorporating Elettric 80’s latest innovations for the beverage industry.

Apart from cost efficiency, an important warehouse management issue is safety. The human factor often causes risks and accidents that are hard to foresee. These can be limited effectively through Elettric 80’s custom-made end-of-line automation solutions. The systems can automate parts, or the whole, of the end-of-line process for clients within the fast-moving consumer-goods sectors, from palletising of finished product, to stretchwrapping of pallets and storage/retrieval in the warehouse. Compared to work environments with manual, diesel-powered fork lift trucks, Freeway environments are noticeably safer due to reliable technology, calmer and free from exhaust fumes. Also, after the first years have passed, and the return on investment is realised, these improvements still remain.

Elettric 80 challenges the notion that only production companies benefit from automation. Also the activities of distribution centres can be automated to advantage by Laser Guided Vehicles, increasing both warehouse efficiency and safety while reducing costs. A considerable advantage of the Elettric 80 LGV systems is that they are usually implemented in existing warehouse environments, with little or no site modification required. Consequently, the investment is budget-friendly and quickly returned.

Elettric 80 is making their concept of automation remarkably clear at the Drinktec fair in Munich Sep 14-19 2009. A complete, fully operational, end-of-line chain will be built, and during the fair visitors will be able to follow the demonstration around the demo plant. Different beer cans, bottles and trays from various Elettric 80 clients will be handled from the end-of-“production”-line, palletised, stretch wrapped and transported by Laser Guided Vehicles (LGVs) to the warehouse area and loaded into a trailer.