Knowles Logistics – one of the UK’s leading end-to-end supply chain specialists in the food, beverage and packaging sectors – has announced a major investment in a co-packing robot, further strengthening its commitment to innovation across its operations.
The robot, supplied by German manufacturer KUKA and customised by Cambridge-based automation experts Granta, will significantly enhance Knowles’ co-packing capabilities.
The technology enables flexible repackaging of food products and packaging formats to meet customers’ varying requirements, such as creating multipacks or bespoke promotional configurations.
From the moment it leaves KUKA’s factory, the robot is fully operational, with Granta’s bespoke modifications ensuring it integrates seamlessly into Knowles’ processes. This investment enables the company to offer an automated co-packing service that delivers greater precision, speed, and adaptability for its clients.
Alex Knowles, CEO, Knowles Logistics, said: “This co-pack robot marks and exciting step forward as we continue to embrace automation across our business.
“It provides us with the flexibility to quickly reconfigure product formats to meet customers’ changing needs while simultaneously improving efficiency and productivity and is yet another example of how Knowles is continuing to invest to deliver smarter, faster, and more sustainable supply chain solutions.”
The new co-packing system follows a series of recent investments in automation and digital transformation across Knowles’ warehousing and fulfilment operations.
In the past twelve months, the company introduced autonomous cleaning robots – the CR700 Robotic Scrubber Dryer and K900 Industrial Vacuum Sweeper Robots – supplied by Crescent Industrial’s Cleaning Intelligence brand. Operating around the clock, these machines have reduced manual cleaning requirements, freeing team members to focus on higher-value operational tasks.
Added to this has been the introduction of inventAIRy XL, an inventory management drone which has proved to be a game-changer for Knowles Logistics’ perpetual inventory (PI) teams and customer offering. By automating the inventory management process, Knowles can offer maximised accuracy and traceability of product movements whilst significantly increasing cycle counts.
These latest developments reflect Knowles’ continued growth and success. Over the past year the award winning company has invested substantially in expanding its electric vehicle fleet as well as in its operation further driving sustainability across its operation.
The business continues to explore further automation and digital initiatives to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and service excellence across its end-to-end logistics operations.