When you think about automating a production line, it’s easy to imagine a major investment, a complex rollout, and months of planning. But the reality is, some of the most effective automation projects are the simple ones—especially when they’re designed to solve a real problem, fast.

That’s exactly what happened at a small pasteurization and distribution facility in the Midwest. Here’s how they turned a single palletizing cell into a smooth, stress-free success.

Fewer people, bigger pressure to automate

This company doesn’t run a massive operation. They pasteurize and distribute products for other food and beverage brands. Their team is small, and their process doesn’t require a lot of manual handling...except at the end of the line.

That’s where palletizing became a pain point. They were feeling the pressure of labor shortages and wanted a way to reduce repetitive lifting and free up staff without complicating their workflow.

Automation made sense. But only if it was fast to install, easy to use, and safe for their team.

A quick and complete solution

What made this project successful wasn’t just the robot—it was the full package.

They purchased a Robotiq Palletizing Solution that included:

• Startup assistance, so our expert helped them get up and running quickly
  
  
• A customized safety kit, tailored to their floor layout and facility needs
  
  
• Support from a local certified partner, ensuring everything stayed on track
  
  

From the moment the system arrived, everything was coordinated. Our support and coaching team helped schedule the deployment, align expectations, and guide the install from start to finish. By day two, the system was fully functional, and their team was trained and confident.

Standard palletizer, flexible results

Even though the application was straightforward, they still needed adjustments during setup—like fine-tuning box orientation, adjusting speed, and configuring force. All of it took just minutes to change, thanks to Robotiq’s flexible, user-friendly software.

No code rewrites. No downtime. No surprises.

Their team told us it was the smoothest FAT (Factory Acceptance Test) they had ever done. That’s not just a win for us. It’s a sign that small teams can get real results with a solution that’s designed to be simple, scalable, and repeatable.

Startup assistance makes all the difference

One thing we’ve learned from hundreds of deployments: the more confident your team is after install, the better the outcome.

That’s why we include startup assistance and training. It’s not just about getting the robot running—it’s about making sure your team knows how to use it, maintain it, and adapt it over time. The result is fewer support calls and a smoother transition into automation

Small teams deserve smart automation

This company may not have a big factory or a long list of robots—but they had a clear challenge and made a smart decision. And they’re not alone. Across industries, small and mid-sized facilities are seeing real gains from starting with one robotic cell.

If you’ve been holding off on automation because it feels risky or too complex, this story is a good reminder: you don’t have to overhaul your operations to get started. You just need a solution that fits your reality.

Is your line is a good fit for robotic palletizing?

Want to see if Robotiq Palletizing Solutions can fit your factory needs? Answer a series of questions to find out in a matter of minutes!