Food industry buys more robotic equipment than car sector - what does this mean for food jobs?
According to the latest industry figures from the British Automation and Robotics Association (BARA), the UK food and drink industry bought more automated and robotic equipment in the second quarter of 2010 than the car sector.
The surprising statistics show that the food industry was the second biggest purchaser of robotic equipment in the UK, buying 17 per cent of the total purchased in the second quarter of this year. The pharmaceutical sector topped the list, accounting for 19 per cent of sales.
BARA president Mike Wilson commented on the findings, saying:
What does this mean for UK food jobs?
Whilst some in the industry may worry that the automated equipment may be replacing employees in food jobs, the data indicates that the robotic technology is not being used at the manufacturing stages of food production. The BARA figure shows that it is instead being used as packing, handling and palletising equipment, to assist food job workers rather than replace them.
The surprising statistics show that the food industry was the second biggest purchaser of robotic equipment in the UK, buying 17 per cent of the total purchased in the second quarter of this year. The pharmaceutical sector topped the list, accounting for 19 per cent of sales.
BARA president Mike Wilson commented on the findings, saying:
"Sales to food and drink companies have grown by 172% since 2006 and it is now a major sector for robot applications in the UK. We expect growth to continue through the rest of the year, as more UK food and drink manufacturers seek to close the productivity gap with their European competitors."
What does this mean for UK food jobs?
Whilst some in the industry may worry that the automated equipment may be replacing employees in food jobs, the data indicates that the robotic technology is not being used at the manufacturing stages of food production. The BARA figure shows that it is instead being used as packing, handling and palletising equipment, to assist food job workers rather than replace them.
By Julia Jenifer on 13 February 2011 09:34
Great information and this blogs give us real and excellent information.